Research Professional 3 - Research Project Management

This position supports research conducted at the Cognition and Neurodevelopmental Studies (CNS) Lab at the University of Minnesota. The CNS lab is a multiple PI-led research lab with a significant grant funding portfolio across multiple departments (Pediatrics, ICD) housed at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. Drs. Meghan Swanson and Jed Elison are co Directors, and Casey Burrows is the Director of Clinical Training. The lab focuses on understanding brain and behavioral development of infants and young children. More specifically, our research examines the critical period of brain development in the first two years of life, which represents a time interval of dynamic development, plasticity, and potential vulnerability. Our research participants include typically developing children, autistic children, children with agenesis of the corpus callosum, infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection, and children with Down syndrome.

Principal Investigators Swanson and Elison will be launching an innovative longitudinal study of 260 autistic toddlers and children with clinical assessments and brain imaging. The goal is to characterize how communication develops in this population across multiple ages and language profiles and to generate new quantitative tools that are sensitive to change and ready for deployment in clinical trials and clinical care. We are hiring up to three project managers with laboratory/clinical research and early childhood experience to assist with leading this research project: one for the toddler participant cohort, one for the youth participant cohort, and one recruitment coordinator/clinical liaison. Responsibilities for these project manager positions include research study management and coordination, participant recruitment, consent, and data acquisition, training and supervision, and laboratory support.

This is a full-time in-person position with occasional opportunity for remote work and requires a minimum 2-year commitment. Applications must be submitted online; please upload a cover letter and CV/resume. Your application will not be considered until all components are complete. Review of applications is ongoing, and the position(s) will remain open until the posting is removed. Anticipated position start date could be as early as January 26, 2026. The project manager position will report directly to Shanna Mliner, Program Director.

Job Responsibilities:
Research Study Management/Coordination (40%)

• Responsible for project management of the research study from conception to completion, ensuring timely progress and high-quality results/outcomes
• Ensure compliance and adherence to the established research protocol and study procedures by the research team
• Coordinate the day-to-day research operations and manage project teams
• Create detailed plans for effective research progress monitoring and team management
• Participate with PIs and Program Director in identifying solutions to complex problems to fulfill research objectives

Participant Recruitment/Consent/Data Acquisition (25%)

• Complete Human Subjects ethics training
• Ethically recruit and acquire informed consent from participants
• Identify, develop, and track success of a wide variety of participant recruitment and retention methods
• Serve as a liaison between medical clinic and research project staff
• Schedule assessment and MRI scan research appointments with participants
• Reliably administer participant assessments (e.g., semi-structured parent interviews, behavioral testing with children)
• Complete CMRR safety training to be able to independently operate the 3T & 7T scanner consoles
• Learn and train others on the CNS Lab developmental neuroimaging standard operating procedures
• Assist with the collection of MRI data (may require occasional night or weekend sessions)
• Ensure adherence to and compliance with all approved ethics and protocol procedures relating to participant privacy/confidentiality and data integrity with data acquisition techniques

Training and Supervision (20%)

• Train research staff and undergraduate research assistants
• Supervise and direct work of undergraduate research assistants and study staff members
• Assist in interview process and selection of candidates for open project staff positions
• Assist with regular performance reviews and professional development opportunities for project staff

Laboratory Support (15%)

• Attend weekly lab and project meetings
• Support the broader lab team as needed
• Purchase study materials and ensure compliance with purchasing procedures/documentation
• Prepare IRB submissions and project reports
• Provide regular updates to study PIs and Program Director
• Manage organization and storage of data
• Perform quality control/quality assurance procedures on behavioral and MRI data
• Perform preliminary data analyses using statistics software (Excel, SPSS, R, SAS)
• Participate in the broader intellectual environment to augment professional development
• Option to contribute to and generate scientific products (e.g., professional presentations, empirical publications)

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in Psychology, Human Development, Cognitive or Affective Neuroscience, or a related field plus at least four years of relevant experience, or advanced degree plus at least two years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least eight years
• Demonstrated experience conducting human subjects research, with a minimum of two years preferred
• Ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse communities, backgrounds, and identities
• Proficiency with computer software on PC or Mac platforms (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Workspace)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated experience working with young children and their families
• Demonstrated interest in learning about MRI, including its application to infant and toddler brain development and functional communication

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years research experience with young children and families
• Previous experience coordinating recruitment and data collection in longitudinal child development research
• Experience in training, managing, and supervising undergraduate students and employees
• Prior experience collecting and analyzing MRI data
• Authorship on research manuscript publications and conference presentations
• Ability to plan, problem-solve, and set goals while managing multiple tasks and teams on a daily basis
• Experience with university regulations, policies, and best practices involved in managing research projects with human subjects
• Skillful with technology, assessments, statistical analysis, and document creation on iPad/Mac/PC (e.g. REDCap, Qualtrics, MEFS, SPSS, R, SAS, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe, email, online calendar, video conferencing tools)
• Advanced degree in Psychology, Human Development, Cognitive or Affective Neuroscience, or a related field

Pay Range: $65,000 - $80,000/year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

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Committed to innovation and diversity, the Medical School educates physicians, scientists, and health professionals; generates knowledge and treatments; and cares for patients and communities with compassion and respect. We value excellence, inclusiveness, collaboration, and discovery.
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Founded in 1888, the University of Minnesota Medical School has three campuses. A four-year MD program and the MD/PhD program are located on the Twin Cities campus in addition to MD programs at regional campuses in Duluth and St. Cloud.