Community Clinical Research Liaison

Department

BSD NEU - HAARC - Community

About the Department

The Department of Neurology at The University of Chicago Medical Center has a great history and tradition, having made significant contributions to neurological training, clinical care, and the basic understanding of neurological disease. The Healthy Aging & Alzheimer's Research Care (HAARC) Center, is a multidisciplinary center at the University of Chicago focused on implementing research on aging, Alzheimer’s and related dementia research focused on optimizing knowledge, care, interventions, and quality of life. This at-will position is wholly or partially funded by contractual grant funding which is renewed under provisions set by the grantor of the contract. Employment will be contingent upon the continued receipt of these grant funds and satisfactory job performance.

Job Summary

The Community Clinical Research Liaison (CCRL) supports the Healthy Aging & Alzheimer’s Research Care (HAARC) Center within the Biological Sciences Division by bridging diverse Chicagoland communities and the Center. This role focuses on building trust, engaging community members and organizations, and recruiting participants for HAARC Center studies. Key responsibilities include connecting the Center with local communities—particularly Black and Latino / a populations—through ongoing engagement with community clinicians, organizations, and residents to promote study enrollment and retention. The CCRL will work in close partnership with the study Principal Investigator (PI) and the Director of Community Engagement, Outreach, and Recruitment to align community needs with research goals.

As part of the HAARC Center, the CCRL will join a collaborative research environment dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Candidates should have experience working with underrepresented populations in research, strong communication skills, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The CCRL plays a vital role in outreach, engagement, and supporting study enrollment and retention, directly advancing the HAARC Center’s mission.

Responsibilities

Actively engage with community members, clinicians, and community-based organizations to build connections, recruit participants, and ensure ongoing engagement. Build and maintain relationships with community partners by attending meetings, tracking communications and partner interests, facilitating connections.

Manage aspects of clinical research outreach, including participant recruitment, screening, and enrollment processes in collaboration with study PI and Director of Community Engagement, Outreach and Recruitment.

May assist with obtaining informed consent, collecting research data, and ensuring protocol adherence.

Represent the HAARC Center at community events, which will occur on evenings or weekends.

Conduct in-person and online eligibility screenings and manage referrals to ensure a seamless participant transition to the study site.

Prepare weekly reports on recruitment and retention efforts.

Facilitate the development and dissemination of promotional study materials.

Develop weekly reports on recruitment / retention activities and maintain recruitment and outreach databases.

Protect participant data confidentiality by ensuring the security of research data and personal information health information and compliance with federal regulations and sponsor protocols.

Ensures standard operating procedures (SOP) are implemented and documented in accordance to study sponsor, primary investigator, and regulatory specifications.

Assists with various professional, organizational, and operational tasks under moderate supervision.

Uses knowledge of clinical studies to coordinate the collection of analyzable clinical research data and / or samples with a limited to moderate degree of independence. Contributes to the problem solving on assigned clinical research studies and tasks.

Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education :

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience :

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications :

Preferred Qualifications

Education :

Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Social Services / Social Work, Community Psychology, or a related field.

Experience :

Experience recruiting individuals for clinical research, particularly from underrepresented populations, and coordinating multiple studies (e.g., investigator-initiated, industry-sponsored, multi-site trials).

Experience organizing and facilitating community events, workshops, or informational sessions to support successful engagement and participation.

Experience working on community-engaged research projects or partnerships, preferably in a university or academic setting.

Knowledge of Chicagoland communities, including an understanding of local priorities, history, and policymaking. Connection with organizations serving older adults a plus.

Familiarity with aging-related issues and dementia research, or experience in community health or social services related to older adults.

Familiarity with working on IRB-approved projects involving human subjects.

Technical Skills or Knowledge :

Comprehend technical documents.

Create and deliver presentations.

Preferred Competencies

Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including public speaking, coalition building, group facilitation, and writing.

Demonstrated ability to engage effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including grassroots leaders, community members, government officials, and healthcare providers, with a particular emphasis on direct experience working with marginalized communities.

Ability to exercise independent judgment, work across multiple settings (academic and community), and effectively set priorities and goals while adhering to project timelines.

Proven organizational skills with strong attention to detail.

Understanding and respect for diverse cultural norms, values, and perspectives, particularly within aging and dementia communities.

Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion and professionalism.

Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.​

Application Documents

Resume / CV (required)

Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

Yes

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$60,000.00 - $75,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in theBenefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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