Research Area Specialist-Associate

Under general supervision of Dr. Lisa Smith Kilpela, the position will support day-to-day operations of an NIH-funded R01 research study examining the prospective mental and cardiometabolic health impacts of Binge Eating Disorder and food insecurity in older women. This four-year longitudinal study will enroll 250 women aged 50 and older living with food insecurity at the San Antonio Food Bank and follow them over two years using quantitative, clinical, and qualitative data collection methods. The successful candidate will play a central role in participant recruitment, retention, data collection, and day-to-day project operations, working closely with an interdisciplinary team of clinical and research professionals. This position offers a meaningful opportunity to conduct community-based research with real-world impact, working directly with older women living with food insecurity in South Texas to advance understanding of how chronic conditions shape health and well-being in later life.

• Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate multiple concurrent tasks within schedule constraints and respond to emergent needs in a timely manner.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to interact with professionalism, warmth, and sensitivity with research participants .
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and willingness to learn study-specific software including REDCap.
• Demonstrated ability to monitor complex projects and maintain attention to detail in data collection and documentation.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team including physicians and community health workers.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish required — the study activities include Spanish-language participant communication, data collection, and focus groups.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree degree in an educational/social science is required.

Experience:

• Up to one (1) year related experience is required. 

Preferred:

• Bilingual in English/Spanish is highly preferred.

This position may require the ability to maintain the security and integrity of UT San Antonio and its infrastructure per Texas EO-GA-48.

• Assist with the planning, development, and day-to-day implementation of all research project activities in accordance with the study protocol and IRB-approved procedures.
• Monitor enrollment and data collection progress toward study milestones and report status to the PI.
• Ensure all program activities are completed according to the prescribed study timeline.
• Maintain organized and accurate study records including participant files, consent documentation, and protocol deviation logs.
• Support active recruitment of study participants at the San Antonio Food Bank and other community-based sites.
• Conduct participant eligibility screening and informed consent procedures.
• Schedule and coordinate participant study visits at Baseline, 12-month, and 24-month timepoints and conduct brief retention calls with enrolled participants at 3, 6, 9, 15, 18, and 21-month intervals per protocol.
• Assist in implementing retention strategies to minimize participant attrition over the longitudinal study period.
• Administer validated self-report surveys and structured clinical assessments with participants under the supervision of the PI and clinical team.
• Assist with collection of clinical and biometric measurements during study visits including weight, height, body composition (BIA), HbA1c, lipid panels, and glucose levels using validated point-of-care instruments.
• Follow standardized protocols for biospecimen collection, instrument operation, and biohazard waste disposal.
• Perform accurate and timely data entry into REDCap and other study databases.
• Support preparation of data for statistical and qualitative analysis under supervision.
• Support preparation of IRB submissions, amendments, and continuing review materials.
• Assist in preparation of progress reports, publications, and conference presentation materials as directed by the PI.
• Conduct literature reviews and maintain current knowledge of developments in the areas of eating disorders, food insecurity, cardiometabolic health, and aging in women.