About Us:
At the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia,
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple
NIH Research Centers
, and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
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Job Posting Title:
Clinical Research Coordinator/Research Specialist - 2 positions
Position Type:
Professional / Unclassified
Department:
LSUPBRC Cores - CTU - Clinical Trials Operations (Melissa Lingle (00002335))
Work Location:
LSU - Pennington Biomedical
Pay Grade:
Professional
Job Description:
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, is seeking a Clinical Research Coordinator/Research Specialist in the Outpatient Clinic of the Clinical Trials Unit.
The Clinical Research Coordinator will join a team of research specialists who coordinate, plan, and implement exercise and lifestyle intervention studies that make a real impact on health outcomes. The incumbent will gain hands-on experience supporting clinical trials from start to finish while working closely with experienced investigators and project managers.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the daily operations of clinical trials, including preparing paperwork, coordinating meetings, assisting with trainings, and helping design and improve project workflows.
• Partner with the study Principal Investigator and Project Manager to ensure smooth and efficient trial activities.
• Maintain and organize study documentation, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Perform quality checks on research charts and data entry to support reliable and meaningful study outcomes.

Qualifications

• As part of a career progression group, vacancy may be filled from this recruitment as a Research Specialist 1 or 2 depending on the level of experience of the selected candidate.

Minimum = Research Specialist 1

• Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field (e.g., kinesiology, public health, biology, psychology, or related discipline)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to communicate clearly and work collaboratively in a team environment
• Interest in clinical research and willingness to learn new systems and processes
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally with study participants and staff

Preferred Qualifications - Research Specialist 1

• Coursework or projects involving data collection, statistics, or research methods
• Experience in a lab, healthcare, or research setting (volunteer, internship, or student role)
• Exposure to a healthcare, laboratory, or research environment through internships, volunteering, or student projects
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate records

Minimum Qualifications - Research Specialist 2

• Bachelor’s degree in health related field
• At least 3 years of experience coordinating or supporting clinical research studies
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements, data entry systems, and clinical trial documentation
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines independently
• Strong interpersonal skills to engage effectively with investigators, staff, and study participants

Preferred Qualifications - Research Specialist 2

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., public health, clinical research, exercise science)
• Prior experience managing exercise or lifestyle intervention studies
• Proficiency with electronic data capture systems and database management
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to streamline study processes
• Experience mentoring or training junior staff

Pennington Biomedical Research Center (PBRC) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities.
Additional Job Description:
Two candidates may be selected from this applicant pool for two open positions. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent college grad who is interested in gaining experience in clinical trials and research.
Competencies:
None
Special Instructions:
Interested candidates should include a resume and a list of three (3) professional references to the online application. Professional references should be the name, title, company, and contact information from past employers. Professional references should include current or previous supervisors and/or coworkers. Personal references should not be considered for the reference check process. We will respect the request that we not contact a current employer. However, we will need to contact a prior supervisor if such a request is made.
A letter of application/cover letter is recommended but not required. Official transcripts are required prior to hire and are not required at the time of application.
Posting Date:
August 18, 2025
Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):
September 1, 2025
Additional Position Information:
Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
. For more information, visit

• Support the daily operations of clinical trials, including preparing paperwork, coordinating meetings, assisting with trainings, and helping design and improve project workflows.
• Partner with the study Principal Investigator and Project Manager to ensure smooth and efficient trial activities.
• Maintain and organize study documentation, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Perform quality checks on research charts and data entry to support reliable and meaningful study outcomes