The Research Specialist (RS) will be responsible for assisting with multiple aspects of a NIH-funded Center grant at the Center for Adolescent Rewards, Rhythms and Sleep (CARRS) examining sleep, circadian rhythms, brain function, mood, and behavior in adolescents. The RS would be primarily responsible for conducting clinical interviews (assessing various psychiatric, sleep, and substance use disorders), implementing a behavioral sleep intervention, preparing documents and materials for the sleep intervention session, communicating with participants regarding adherence to the intervention activities and collecting data during sleep lab visits with adolescent participants.

The Research Specialist will work closely with the study coordinator, other research staff, the data manager, the staff of the Sleep and Behavioral Neuroscience Center and the Magnetic Resonance Research Center and will also be involved in recruitment efforts and consent visits. The ideal candidate has experience with counseling or diagnostic interviews, has experience with or an interest in providing behavioral therapy to adolescents, and has an interest in psychiatric and/or bio-medical research. Additionally, this candidate will have excellent communication skills, is highly organized, enjoys working in a collaborative work environment, enjoys new learning experiences, and embodies a professional work ethic: timeliness, dependability, adaptability, and leadership skills.

This position requires evening and weekend hours.

This position is grant funded.

Responsibilities:

• Conducting diagnostic interviews (including psychiatric, sleep, and substance-oriented structured interviews) and delivering the behavioral intervention.

• Entering data from diagnostic interviews and other clinical measures using Microsoft ACCESS entry forms.

• Writing and editing diagnostic summaries detailing results from diagnostic interviews.

• Attending weekly clinical supervision meetings with clinical staff & clinical supervisor.

• Following up with participants with clarifying questions after the diagnostic interview.

• Following up with participants when safety alerts are triggered.

• Communicating with participants about daily adherence to the behavioral intervention.

• Data collection of study protocol, including behavioral tasks.

• Assisting with recruiting and enrolling participants, conducting study visits, and following participants through study completion.

• Keep a flexible schedule to accommodate schedules of both research subjects and research facilities, including morning, evening, and weekend availability.

• Performs other research duties as assigned.

• Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Psychology, Neuroscience, Social Work, Counseling, Sociology, or related research field.

• Minimum of one year of work experience in a research project and/or related clinical setting is required.

• Prior experience with counseling, conducting clinical interviews and/or behavioral interventions is preferred.

• Previous experience with adolescents and/or families is preferred.

• Familiarity with computers and common software packages required.

• Working knowledge of research methodology strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of DSM-5 preferred.

• Ability to work evenings and weekends (including Saturdays and/or Sundays).

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)

• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran