Research Specialist | Western Psychiatric Hospital

at  UPMC

The Research Specialist will have responsibilities within the ongoing research projects of Dr. Brian Thoma within the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Thoma’s program of research examines mental and behavioral health among LGBTQ adolescents, with a focus on risk for suicidal behavior. The Research Specialist will primarily conduct data collection within a longitudinal study examining psychosocial experiences and risk for suicidal behavior over time among transgender and nonbinary adolescents.

• Independently execute job functions for research protocol(s) including recruitment, scheduling appointments, obtaining written consent forms, collecting data by conducting phone or face to face interviews for research project(s).
• Collaborate with senior research personnel regarding recruitment, data collection, outcomes of interviews, reports according to the needs of the study.
• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Psychology, Neuroscience, Sociology or related research field.
• Minimum of one year of work experience in a research project and/or related clinical setting is required.
• Prior training and experience with clinical interviewing preferred, including risk assessment and safety planning.
• Experience working with LGBTQ+ youth strongly preferred
• Familiarity with computers and common software packages required.
• Working knowledge of research methodology strongly preferred.