Research Project Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY:

As an active member of the UNC Health Sciences at MAHEC Department of Program Evaluation and Research (PEaR), the Research Project Coordinator is responsible for a wide variety of tasks related to coordinating research and evaluation projects, including assisting in research project development and design; data collection and management; and research project management, coordination, and tracking. Research Project Coordinators typically work on multiple research projects simultaneously alongside individuals working on specific projects.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Project Planning & Execution
  • Develop project timelines and milestones that align with research objectives, grant requirements, and team capacity.
  • Track progress against deliverables, flag risks early, and coordinate adjustments with the PI or project lead.
  • Facilitate project kickoffs, ensuring roles, expectations, and workflows are clearly defined.
• Documentation & Compliance
  • Maintain project documentation, including protocols, meeting notes, decision logs, and version-controlled materials.
  • Support IRB/IACUC submissions and renewals by the project team, ensuring compliance with institutional and federal regulations.
  • Assist with grant reporting, including progress summaries, budget justifications, and data tracking.
• Communication & Coordination
  • Serve as the central communication hub between researchers, collaborators, administrative offices, and external partners.
  • Facilitate scheduling team meetings, prepare agendas, and distribute action items.
  • Coordinate cross-functional work, such as data management, procurement, and IT support.
• Budget & Resource Management
  • Monitor project budgets, track expenditures, and ensure alignment with grant or departmental guidelines.
  • Manage purchasing and procurement, including lab supplies, software licenses, and equipment.
• Data & Reporting Support
  • Assist with data organization, ensuring consistent naming conventions, storage practices, and documentation
  • Working with project team members, prepare summary reports, dashboards, or presentations for leadership, funders, or collaborators.
  • Support quality assurance, helping ensure data integrity and adherence to protocols.
• Operational & Administrative Support
  • Optimize workflows, identifying bottlenecks and proposing process improvements.
  • Manage project calendars, deadlines, and shared resources
  • Coordinate travel, conferences, and dissemination activities, including poster or manuscript submissions.
• Other Activities
  • Demonstrates a commitment to continuing professional development.
  • Actively participates in and contributes to departmental and liaison area activities.

This role description is a general description of the essential job functions.  It is not intended to describe all the duties the Research Project Coordinator may perform.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Communication Skills

Effectively and respectably communicate with other individuals, whether it be a colleague, patient, or patient’s family member and appropriately enumerate information in a manner easily understood by all parties. We do this to foster a culture of understanding between all parties, especially in complex and difficult situations, to ultimately provide the best care possible to our patients and their families.

• Decision Making

Ability to make the most appropriate decision in a given situation and then taking the next steps to ensure appropriate and timely completion. This requires conflict resolution skills, critical thinking skills, confidence in your ability to make the right decision in most situations. This also includes ability to prioritize your workday appropriately to ensure the most important tasks are completed on time.

• HealthCare Knowledge

Having the drive to keep yourself abreast and up to date on the new breakthroughs in your area of expertise and communicating them to the rest of the team, as appropriate.  This also includes keeping up with your licensure and yearly training requirements within your area expertise along with MAHEC’s organizational training. Finally, the ability to apply the depth of knowledge maintained and gained through this process in real life scenarios as appropriate.

• Interpersonal Skills

Showing the ability to meet difficult situations with grace, professionalism, and understanding. Within your area of expertise, showing respect and showing empathy where appropriate with your colleagues, patients, and their family at all times, ev