Summary

The Department of Neurology at Baylor College of Medicine is seeking an experienced Research Coordinator II to support incoming faculty Dr. Ihab Hajjar. This candidate will serve as a key member within the research team. They will oversee the daily operations and clinical execution of complex research protocols focusing on neurology and cognitive health. This role will serve as the primary liaison between principal investigators, regulatory bodies, and clinical staff, ensuring that all study activities are conducted with the highest standards of integrity and patient care. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, providing compassionate support to participants with mild cognitive impairment and dementias while maintaining the rigorous regulatory and fiscal oversight required for federally and privately funded clinical trials.

Job Duties

• Clinical Protocol Management & Patient Engagement
  • Coordinate the recruitment, screening, and enrollment processes for complex research studies, including the interpretation of clinical notes and medical records to verify participant eligibility.
  • Provide support and follow-up for research participants and neurology patients, ensuring adherence to protocol guidelines and safety standards.
  • Facilitate the informed consent process, explaining study procedures and risks clearly to participants and their families.
  • Coordinate specialized imaging sessions, including safety screening, consenting, and attending MRI brain scans, while ensuring the communication of incidental findings between neuroradiologists and the P.I.
• Clinical Procedures & Specialized Assessments
  • The coordinator will assist with the collection, organization, and tracking of neuropsychological, clinical, functional, neuropsychiatric, social determinants of health, molecular, cardiovascular, neuroimaging, and digital speech data. This will include ensuring that required study forms, cognitive testing materials, questionnaires, biospecimen records, imaging documentation, and speech task recordings are complete, accurate, and filed according to study procedures.
• Data Management & Quality Assurance
  • Oversees large-scale cognitive and clinical datasets using platforms such as REDCap and clinical trial management systems.
  • Perform rigorous quality assurance (QA) and de-identification of data entered by other coordinators to ensure statistical accuracy and protocol fidelity.
  • Utilize analytical software (such as SPSS or Excel) to compile and interpret clinical data and specimen results for use in peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
  • · Maintain document control for sensitive research data charts in accordance with strict confidentiality and IRB guidelines.
• Regulatory Leadership & Compliance
  • Assists PI/supervisor with daily activities of the research team and functions as a liaison between clinical research investigators and various organizations/departments and agencies including, but not limited to HRPP, FDA, Sponsored Programs, and affiliated hospitals.
  • Leads the preparation, submission, and maintenance of regulatory documentation for the Institutional Review Board (IRB), including modifications, informed consent edits, and continuing reviews.
  • Ensure strict compliance with FDA requirements, HRPP standards, and institutional policies across all assigned study protocols.
  • Function as a primary liaison between the research site and various external organizations, agencies, and affiliated hospital departments.
  • Prepares annual reports for federal, state, and local agencies to ensure continued review and protocol approval.
• Administrative, Fiscal & Supervisory Oversight
  • Monitor and maintain research study budgets, assisting the P.I. with fiscal management, patient care charge allocation, and the reconciliation of study-related expenses.
  • Provides direct support and in-service training to other members of the research team, ensuring all staff are proficient in study-specific "checkoffs" and procedures.
  • Review new research protocols to assess feasibility, staffing requirements, and resource needs within the department.
  • Maintain laboratory inventory and clinical supplies to ensure uninterrupted study operations.
• Other Duties as Assigned
  • Participate in departmental meetings, contribute to marketing or social media recruitment efforts, and perform other related tasks to support the mission of the research program.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field. Four years of related experience may substitute for degree requirement.
• One year of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Previous experience working in Neurology or Neuroscience