The Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University invites applications for a Recruitment Specialist for the "When to Worry "(W2W) Study (PI Lauren Wakschlag, Co-PI Amelie Petitclerc) funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health. The W2W study is designed to enhance early identification of mental health problems beginning in infancy. Specifically, the study focuses on characterizing atypical patterns and neural bases of irritability in the first years of life (12-36 mos.) and will employ intensive, state-of-the-art, multi-modal, neurodevelopmental measurements longitudinally in a sample of 350 infants.
The Recruitment Specialist will be responsible for subject screening, recruitment, tracking, and scheduling, within a study of diverse children and their families. Tracking duties will involve maintaining contact with subjects over time and, when needed, traveling to neighborhoods and communities to locate participants. This person will enter, maintain and ensure quality of participant information in a database. The Recruitment Specialist will work closely with the research team, communicating effectively with the Project Coordinator and lead scientists about the ongoing progress of the study.
The ideal candidate will be familiar with the neighborhoods and communities of Chicago, and will bring a high-energy approach to successfully engaging and tracking research subjects. He/she will also have experience or demonstrated interest in recruiting participants, and understand the importance of obtaining a high level of participation. An ability to interact comfortably and sensitively with diverse families and young children is essential. Experience working with urban families within the context of a research study is preferred.
Excellent communication skills are essential; the position requires an ability to effectively communicate research process and goals to study participants, creativity in using phone, internet & direct contact methods for study recruitment and retention, and ongoing communication with the study team. Excellent inter-personal skills, a high level of professionalism, and an ability to quickly establish rapport with people of diverse backgrounds are also required. Other necessary skills include an ability to work independently as well as part of a collegial project team, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to multi-task.
Position requires successful completion of a full 4-year bachelor’s degree in social or public health science, psychology, or other human services-related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant fieldwork experience. A flexible schedule is essential and weekend and evening hours will be required. Off-site data collection will be required, and candidates must have consistent access to a car. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled. To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and the names of three references to: Martha Neary, M.Sc., W2W Project Coordinator, martha.neary@northwestern.edu.
