Research support specialist job description

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

Under direction of the Supervisor, responsible for supporting the design and execution of research studies and program evaluations of educational programs and district initiatives. Supports the systematic collection, cleaning, coding, and analysis of data. Designs surveys, interview protocols, and other data collection instruments. Constructs quantitative and qualitative data files. Performs statistical analyses using IBM SPSS software and Excel. Generates data visualizations and communicates results clearly, concisely, and compellingly via presentations, reports, and data storytelling.

CERTIFICATE LICENSE:

None

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

Knowledge of educational research and evaluation, including survey and other data collection methods. Knowledge of software for statistical analysis and data management, such as SPSS, SAS, Stata, R, or Python. Ability to organize and manage complex data sets and extract data from various types of data files. Knowledge and skills in the use of word processing, spreadsheets, and database software. Skill in proofreading numbers and text for data summaries and reports. Capacity to identify and solve problems using analysis, experience, and judgment. Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-office staff, stakeholders, and school-based staff. Ability to collect and analyze data to support the preparation of data summaries and reports. Knowledge of and the ability to meet the seven core competencies of the MCPS Supporting Services Professional Growth System (SSPGS). Excellent interpersonal, time management, and project management skills.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree required with a minimum of 3 years of education research experience. Master's degree preferred with a minimum of 1 year of education research experience. Coursework or training in research methods and statistics is required. Experience analyzing data, developing data tables and data visualizations, and report writing is required. At least one year experience using SPSS, SAS, Stata, R, Python, or other statistical software is required. Additional coursework in evaluation, measurement, or data science is preferred. Experience working in K-12 educational research, including applied research, organizational learning, program design, and program evaluation, is strongly preferred. Experience developing and fielding data collection instruments including surveys, interview protocols, observation protocols, and focus group instruments is preferred. Experience with longitudinal student data and familiarity with SQL is desirable.

**Why Patients Need You**

Pfizer's purpose is to deliver breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Research and Development is at the heart of fulfilling Pfizer's purpose as we work to translate advanced science and technologies into the therapies and vaccines that matter most. Whether you are in the discovery sciences, ensuring drug safety and efficacy or supporting clinical trials, you will apply cutting edge design and process development capabilities to accelerate and bring the best in class medicines to patients around the world.

**What You Will Achieve**

As part of the Comparative Medicine team, you will provide basic husbandry, handling, restraint and health surveillance of laboratory animals in compliance with federal and local regulatory requirements. You will also be responsible for maintaining inventory of animal supplies and provide basic technical assistance (i.e., restraint, injections, blood collections) in support of research studies.

It is your hard work along with innovative ideas and focus that will help in making Pfizer ready to achieve new milestones and help patients across the globe

**How You Will Achieve It**

+ Perform routine animal husbandry duties as directed

+ Observe and report status of animal health, food and water consumption, appearance, behavior

+ Provide support in basic veterinary medical treatment as prescribed by the veterinary staff

+ Support cage wash equipment operations and maintenance

+ Support research by providing specialty technical services (dose administration, blood collection, record keeping and additional services) to research investigators

+ Required to work with all species housed at the site

+ Train and mentor new hires in animal husbandry and facility support duties fulfilling department training requirements.

+ May be required to work under one of the following: The United States Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Act and associated Regulations and Standards, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Good Laboratory Practices, Public Health Service Policy and/or AAALAC accreditation standards

**Qualifications**

**Must-Have**

+ High School Degree or GED required

+ Minimum 2 years of related experience

**Nice-to-Have**

+ Associates or BS/BA preferred

+ AALAS Certification preferred • Experience working in a pharmaceutical setting

**PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS**

+ Must be able to lift 50 pounds and work standing up lifting items above shoulder level for extended periods of time

+ Ability to perform repetitive physical activities such as: pushing and pulling racks of caging, lifting bags of feed and bedding, reaching, stooping and bending

+ For this position, if at a site with nonhuman primates, you are expected to enter the nonhuman primate areas as part of your job responsibilities, a pre-hire requirement is either providing proof of measles immunity or receiving the measles vaccination **before** hire.

**NON-STANDARD WORK SCHEDULE, TRAVEL OR ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS**

+ Weekend and holiday work are required

+ This is an Essential Personnel role: Essential Personnel are defined as the staff that are required to report to their designated work location, to ensure the operation of essential functions or departments during an emergency, as determined by Pfizer, or when the business has suspended operations. There are some individuals who may be required to perform essential services remotely and those individuals will be identified in advance and notified by their supervisors, but in most cases Essential Personnel are required to be on-site during an emergency or suspension of operations.

**Pfizer requires all U.S. new hires to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment. As required by applicable law, Pfizer will consider requests for Reasonable Accommodations.**

**Sunshine Act**

Pfizer reports payments and other transfers of value to health care providers as required by federal and state transparency laws and implementing regulations. These laws and regulations require Pfizer to provide government agencies with information such as a health care provider's name, address and the type of payments or other value received, generally for public disclosure. Subject to further legal review and statutory or regulatory clarification, which Pfizer intends to pursue, reimbursement of recruiting expenses for licensed physicians may constitute a reportable transfer of value under the federal transparency law commonly known as the Sunshine Act. Therefore, if you are a licensed physician who incurs recruiting expenses as a result of interviewing with Pfizer that we pay or reimburse, your name, address and the amount of payments made currently will be reported to the government. If you have questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact your Talent Acquisition representative.

**EEO & Employment Eligibility**

Pfizer is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Pfizer also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA. Pfizer is an E-Verify employer.

Research and Development

The Des Moines University Office of Research has an exciting opportunity for a Research Support Specialist to join the team as we prepare to move to our new state-of-the-art campus and research facilities in West Des Moines. This important role will assist the Executive Director of Research (EDR) in the oversight of institutional research activities and student research programs, with supervisory responsibilities for components of the animal care facility (ACF) operations. The Research Support Specialist will have the opportunity to enhance the institutional research culture and programs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.

* Manages the Office of Research students research programming including but not limited to Mentored Students Research Program (MSRP);
* Support research program and assist with the organization of activities or projects and events designed to increase and improve the research culture at the University (research symposium, research reception, research roundtables, seminars, events to celebrate research accomplishments etc.);
* Assist the EDR in strategic planning of research; space planning; fostering collaborative relationship building with other institutions etc.;
* Assist and advise the EDR with coordination and maintenance of daily operations within the ACF; management of subordinate staffing and conducting training;
* Perform animal caretaking responsibilities to comply with all procedures as outlined in "Guide for Animal Care and Use."
* Assists the EDR in the management of research space and performs tasks that promote general research space operations while working closely and collaboratively with research assistants and researchers; overseeing compliance with regulations;
* Provide support, assist with proposals development, and grant related activities;
* Performs additional related duties as required for maintaining and advancing DMU's research enterprise; performs other duties as assigned.
* The responsibilities of the research support specialist may change based on business needs, revisions to the research vision and research direction of the University.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

* A Bachelor's degree in a science or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required. A MS in a science or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred. At least two (2) years of professional level.
* Experience collaborating with individual researchers, interdisciplinary research teams, and administrative leadership; and/or involvement with programming related to student research experience and mentoring.
* Experience in clinical and/or basic science research, research equipment and working with research animals.
* An understanding of IACUC, animal care, IRB, bio-safety issues; and research compliance topics and government requirements/regulations.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

* Superior oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain confidentiality; excellence in establishing work priorities and meeting established deadlines while attending to details.
* Demonstrated experience working with students and involvement in student research experience.
* Demonstrated knowledge of principles, methods and techniques associated with scientific research; basic and specialized scientific equipment; SOPs and federal, state, and/or university regulations regarding research labs, animal care and use in research and teaching.
* Ability to perform physical labor such as restraining animals, loading and unloading supplies and animals, and standing for prolonged periods of time, lift and/or move 50-100+ pounds, work around noise, dust, odors, fumes, humidity, animals and animal dander, blood, microorganisms, etc.
* Intermediate PC knowledge & skills - Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word required; Microsoft Power Point is desirable.
* Be open to being cross trained in other areas for which the Office of Research provides services.
* Commitment to principles of diversity and inclusivity.
* After hours, weekend and holiday work may be necessary to support ACF and research facilities operations.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND/OR REGISTRATIONS

* AALAS certification at technician or technologist level is required within 18 months of employment.
* AALAS certification as a Certified Manager Animal Resources is desirable, if not already attained will be expected as soon as candidate meets eligibility requirements.
* PRIM&R Certified Professional IAUCC Administrator (CPIA) desirable, if not already attained will be expected as soon as candidate meets eligibility requirements.

About DMU:

Our employees are what make DMU special, so we treat them well! Our Total Rewards reflect this commitment. Qualified faculty and staff enjoy outstanding health/medical benefits, a generous retirement match, flexible work arrangements, tuition assistance, professional development funding, and access to wellness facilities with programs that promote a well-balanced lifestyle. Visit dmu.edu/employment to learn more about our benefits.

Founded in 1898, Des Moines University is a premier medical and health sciences institution comprising three colleges- College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, and College of Health Sciences - offering nine graduate degree programs. Join us as we impact the future of medicine and healthcare in our new state-of-the-art campus opening in West Des Moines in 2023.

Required Documents:

Resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references required at time of online submission. Apply at www.dmu.edu/employment.

Department: Research

Status: Exempt

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 8-4:30

Position Description