Senior Research Associate

Position Summary:

The Senior Research Associate/ Project Director is a key leadership position within the Peredo Lab in the Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt University. This individual will serve as the Project Director for an NIH Phase 1 clinical trial investigating a naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBI) approach for Latino families. The Senior Research Associate is a full-time term position responsible for overall research protocol implementation, team leadership, and successful execution of all project objectives in accordance with Vanderbilt Institutional Review Board (IRB) regulations, federal and sponsor regulations and guidelines, NIH guidelines, Vanderbilt Policies, and research protocols. The Senior Research Associate reports directly to the Principal Investigator.

The Senior Research Associate will direct all aspects of project operations, including leading and training a multidisciplinary research team (data coders, interventionists, data manager, and assessors), implementing culturally and linguistically adapted intervention protocols, coordinating participant recruitment and retention, conducting caregiver coaching sessions, overseeing data collection and quality assurance, and leading dissemination activities including peer reviewed manuscripts and conference presentations. This position requires advanced expertise in NDBI approaches, bilingual competency in Spanish and English, and demonstrated success in coaching Latino parents on evidence-based early intervention strategies. 

Note: The anticipated duration of this role is 5 years and is dependent on continuing availability of funding. Work hours are flexible and based on research participant appointments and team leadership needs, which are scheduled at all times of day, including morning, afternoon, late afternoon, evening, and/or weekends.

Key Functions and Expected Performance

Lead and train research team

• Lead, mentor, and supervise a multidisciplinary research team including data coders, interventionists, and assessors
  • Develop and implement standardized training protocols for all team members on NDBI approaches, intervention fidelity, and assessment administration
  • Conduct regular fidelity checks and provide ongoing coaching and feedback to ensure research protocol adherence and staff competency
  • Maintain detailed documentation of all staff training and certifications

Coordinate and manage project

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all aspects of the NIH Phase 1 clinical trial
  • Develop, implement, and monitor project timelines, ensuring all NIH-mandated deliverables and milestones are met
  • Manage project budgets and expenditures in collaboration with administrative staff
  • Prepare regular progress reports for the Principal Investigator and NIH program officer

Manage participant recruitment, enrollment, and retention

• Oversee all participant recruitment strategies and ensure equitable outreach to Latino communities
• Implement and coordinate participant enrollment procedures ensuring compliance with IRB protocols
• Implement retention procedures and conduct ongoing informed consent processes
• Maintain comprehensive participant databases and tracking systems
• Coordinate participant scheduling and ensure no-show follow-up procedures

Provide intervention and caregiver coaching

• Lead focus groups and community advisory board feedback sessions
• Independently administer NDBI-based coaching to Latino parents/caregivers in Spanish 
• Adapt intervention delivery to meet individual family needs while maintaining fidelity to the research protocol
• Model evidence-based interaction strategies and provide real-time feedback to parents
• Document intervention sessions and maintain fidelity ratings
• Develop culturally sensitive, family-centered intervention plans in collaboration with caregivers

Oversee data collection and management

• Oversee all data collection activities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness
• Manage REDCap database development, maintenance, and quality assurance
• Prepare data reports and provide regular data quality summaries to the PI

Human Subjects Research Compliance

• Ensure all research activities comply with Federal regulati