Ready to join a workforce UNLIKE any other?

Advertising Summary: Advance ground-breaking addiction research as a Clinical Research Coordinator with the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS) at VCU. In this high-impact, independent role, you will lead all operational phases of multi-site neurobehavioral studies across pediatric and adult populations—from study launch and regulatory compliance to participant recruitment, data management, and multidisciplinary team supervision. Utilizing cutting-edge research technologies, you will independently operate MRI scanners, VR-based therapeutic platforms, and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) devices while managing complex datasets using tools like REDCap and R. If you have hands-on experience in human-subject clinical research, biosample collection, and behavioral assessments, join us to drive innovative discoveries in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Unit: VP Research MBU

Department: Inst for Drug Alcohol Stud

Department Summary: At the VCU Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, our mission is to foster transformative research, discovery, and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University through excellence in service.

We partner with faculty in all schools and departments as they seek funding, plan studies, establish collaborations, calculate budgets, submit grant applications, negotiate industry contracts, and secure patents and licensing agreements.

Our commitment to supporting and elevating the research community at VCU has resulted in record levels of sponsored research and has placed VCU among the nation’s premier public research universities.

Through our passion for discovery and willingness to take on challenges, we continue to advance the work that matters most and position the university as a national leader in research, innovation, creativity, and scholarship.

About the VCU Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS)

The Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS) at Virginia Commonwealth University is a premier hub for scientific discovery, dedicated to advancing multidisciplinary research and training on the neuroscience of addictions and related neurobehavioral disorders. Located in the heart of Richmond, IDAS bridges the gap between the laboratory and clinical practice, utilizing cutting-edge brain-imaging technology and collaborative clinical studies to understand how addiction impacts the brain and to develop life-changing treatments. As a vital part of a nationally renowned public research institution, we foster an "UNcommon" environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation in public health. We invite dedicated professionals to join our team in addressing one of society’s most pressing challenges through rigorous science, compassionate education, and a commitment to community well-being.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Clinical Research Coordinator at the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS) will independently manage all phases of neurobehavioral clinical research studies, including study launch activities, regulatory approvals, recruitment, screening, study visit execution and data quality control. The coordinator will facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration and provide training and supervision to research assistants, students and other trainees. Additionally, this role requires the ability to independently operate an MRI scanner, virtual reality (VR)-based equipment and VR therapeutic program content, and brain stimulation devices, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Coordinator will be expected to work across multiple studies in both pediatric and adult age groups within the department at multiple locations. 

Job Duties:

Study Leadership and Operations

● Independently coordinate all phases of clinical research studies, including study launch with establishment of standard operating procedures, participant recruitment, screening, enrollment, study visit execution, and data management

● Lead operational infrastructure development (e.g., workflows, onboarding systems, study tracking processes) to improve efficiency and scalability

● Manage study timelines and logistics across multiple active protocols, including longitudinal descriptive cohort studies and interventional clinical trials

● Train and supervise research assistants, students, peer support specialists and research immersion volunteers in protocol execution and study operations

● Work with health clinic staff to facilitate recruitment, including with peer-support specialists

Participant Recruitment and Coordination

● Establish and oversee recruitment pipelines and implement strategies to optimize enrollment and retention

● Conduct informed consent and participant screening using protocol-specific criteria

● Coordinate complex participant scheduling and longitudinal follow-up that may require engagement with multiple informants

● Ensure high-quality participant experience and adherence to study protocols

Data Management and Quality Oversight

● Oversee data integrity across studies, including large-scale longitudinal datasets (500+ participants tested in at least two testing waves)

● Utilize systems such as REDCap, Excel, and R for data management, quality control, and preliminary analysis

● Identify and resolve data discrepancies and improve data workflows

● Support investigators with data summaries and preliminary analyses

Team Leadership and Collaboration

● Collaborate with multidisciplinary and multi-site research consortia, including harmonization with study teams of other consortium sites (investigators, clinicians, psychologists, data

teams)

● Train and mentor research staff, contributing to team development and performance. Provide professional development opportunities and guidance.

● Facilitate communication across study stakeholders to ensure alignment and efficiency

● Contribute to manuscripts, publications, and scientific dissemination

Ethics, Safety and Compliance

● Facilitate/assist with clinicians in mandated reporting of risk in vulnerable participant populations such as minors

● Maintain compliance with patient safety protocols, human subjects protections and informed consent processes

● Support adverse event monitoring and documentation as applicable

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Only applicants who do not require current or future sponsorship for employment will be considered.

● Demonstrated experience working with human-subject research populations or training/education in clinical assessment and interviewing.

● Experience working with adults with substance use disorders, emerging adults and adolescent minors along with parent or guardian informants.

Experience with collecting different biosamples for toxicology, including blood, saliva, and hair, including in minoritized populations.

● Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills, with careful attention to detail.

● Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented research environment.

● Ability to coordinate across multiple priorities and communicate effectively.

● Willingness to work Saturdays and evenings as needed.

● Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

● Master’s in Research Administration, Psychology, Clinical Research/Science, or a related field.

● Experience in clinical research, particularly involving structured interviews or behavioral/mental health assessments.

● Experience training or supervising research staff or students.

● Ability to operate MRI scanner independently

● Ability to administer transcranical direct current stimulation (tDCS) independently

● Ability to perform phlebotomy

● Familiarity with data management and quality control practices in research settings.

● Experience working on large- scale, multi-site, or collaborative research projects.

● Basic experience with data analysis or statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS) is a plus.

Salary Range: $59,000-$65,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: 34111N - Clinical Research Coordinator 1

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Noah Slattery
Contact Email: nslattery@vcu.edu