Research Specialist

Overview

Job Summary:
The Wisconsin Research and Education Network (WREN) is a statewide practice-based research network of primary care clinicians and academic researchers. Founded in 1987, WREN is one of the oldest and most respected practice-based research networks in the United States. WREN members conduct high-quality translational research projects in academic settings and “real-world” family practices across Wisconsin. The mission of the Wisconsin Research and Education Network (WREN) is to promote and conduct primary care research and education in partnership with primary care clinicians and the communities they serve.

This position serves as a Research Specialist for wide-ranging WREN activities. The Research Specialist is part of the infrastructure the UW Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and an essential member of the WREN team. WREN central offices are located in Madison, WI. The incumbent will staff multiple projects across diverse content areas and working with a variety of research teams and stakeholders within the UW and beyond. The Research Specialist develops, designs, and conducts research projects and organizes daily operation of projects and specialized research areas to ensure work meets established objectives under moderate supervision.

Responsibilities:
Develops, designs, and conducts one or more research projects and organizes daily operation of projects and specialized research areas to ensure work meets established objectives under moderate supervision.

30% Conducts research experiments according to established research protocols with moderate impact to the project(s). Collects data and monitors test results
5% Reviews, analyzes, and interprets data and/or documents results for presentations and/or reporting to internal and external audiences
15% Participates in the development, interpretation, and implementation of research methodology and materials
25% Provides operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and/or student workers
5% Performs literature reviews and writes reports
10% Participates in project management and execution by developing timelines, task lists, and identifying future project needs; serves as project leader for research and Quality Improvement (QI) studies, as appropriate
10% Recruits study participants and manages their study participation, including scheduling visits, obtaining informed consent, enrollment, data collection and quality monitoring, and monitoring of study intervention sessions for consistency

Education:
Preferred
Bachelor’s Degree

Qualifications:
Required:
-Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
-Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and interact professionally with study participants, external collaborators, and diverse stakeholders.

Preferred:
– A minimum of 1 year of research experience strongly preferred (medical, social science, and/or primary care).
-Experience providing support to multidisciplinary teams.
-Demonstrated organizational skills, including the ability to work independently, delegate, and oversee tasks
-Ability to follow research protocols or other detailed procedures consistently and accurately, with a high level of attention to detail.
-Experience using clinical and/or social science research methods and patient recruitment.
-Experience with or willing to learn using electronic health record systems, such as REDCap.
-Computer literacy for literature searches, data entry, data management, data tabulation, statistical analysis and data presentation in tabular and graphic formats.

License/Certification:
Required
Drivers License – Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards
Travel is required. Must provide a valid driver’s license. Employees may use their own transportation or receive approval for University Car Fleet usage. Employment is conditional pending the results of a Pre-hire Driver Authorization Check. See https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/#become-authorized-driver (click on “Become an authorized driver;” then click on “Required criteria”).