Job Description

An exciting opportunity to join a dynamic research team at Cedars-Sinai. Under the leadership of Dr. Torres, our team conducts community-engaged research and leverages mixed-methods approaches to develop, implement, and evaluate lifestyle interventions aimed at reducing cancer risk and improving health outcomes across diverse populations.

The Clinical Research Associate I will work both independently and collaboratively to support the coordination and execution of community-based research studies. This role is ideal for someone with experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods who is passionate about engaging with communities and translating research findings into meaningful impact. Responsibilities include participant recruitment and retention, facilitating interviews and focus groups, administering surveys, developing and implementing research instruments, collecting and managing study data, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and supporting the analysis and dissemination of research findings. Experience coding and analyzing qualitative data using platforms such as ATLAS.ti, Dedoose, or similar software is highly desirable. The successful candidate will be able to synthesize complex data into actionable insights that inform research objectives, intervention development, and stakeholder decision-making. This is a hybrid position that combines on-site community engagement with remote research activities.

This role follows a hybrid work schedule; however, we can only consider applicants who will be able to commute to our Los Angeles work location a few times per week. If hired you must reside in the commutable area.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Build rapport with community members and participants to support study engagement.
• Administer baseline and follow-up surveys and interviews (in Spanish and English).
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation, including data entry and management using REDCap.
• Analyze qualitative data using software such as Dedoose or ATLAS.ti.
• Analyze quantitative data using software such as SAS, STATA, or R.
• Extract and manage data from Electronic Medical Records (EMR).
• Conduct literature searches to support research and grant activities.
• Assist with regulatory submissions to the Institutional Review Board (IRB), including Adverse Events, Serious Adverse Events, and Safety Letters.
• Participate in study monitoring, auditing, and required trainings.
• Contribute to manuscript development and submission for peer-reviewed journals
• Contribute to the development of abstracts, posters, and presentations for conferences and community dissemination.
• Support NIH and other grant submissions, including preparing literature reviews, formatting biosketches, drafting supporting documents, and assisting with budgets and justifications.
• Works under the direction of a Clinical Research Coordinator, Research Program Administrator, Research Nurse, or other supervising staff to assist in tasks supporting the coordination/implementation of noncomplex research studies.
• Collects, evaluates and/or abstracts clinical research data. May assist in designing forms for data collection/abstraction. Enters and processes clinical research data into Electronic Data Systems (EDCs) that are provided by the sponsors.
• Completes Case Report Forms (CRFs). Assists with prescreening of potential research participants for various clinical trials. Schedules research participants for research visits and research procedures. Provides supervised patient contact or independent patient contact for long term follow-up patients only.
• Assists supervising staff with regulatory submissions to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) including submission of Adverse Events, Serious Adverse Events, and Safety Letters in accordance with local and federal guidelines.
• Assists with clinical trial budgets and patient research billing.
• Responsible for sample preparation and shipping and maintenance of study supplies and kits.
• Ensures compliance with protocol and overall clinical research objectives. Ensures compliance with all federal and local agencies including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and local Institutional Review Board.
• Maintains research practices using Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. Maintains strict patient confidentiality according to HIPAA regulations and applicable law.
• May serve as one point of contact for external sponsors for select trials. May respond to sponsor inquiries and attend meetings regarding study activity under the direction of supervising staff.

Qualifications

We are seeking a Clinical Research Associate I who brings strong qualitative research experience and a passion for generating meaningful insights that improve research outcomes. The ideal candidate will be skilled in conducting interviews and focus groups, developing research tools and protocols, and analyzing qualitative data to identify key themes and actionable recommendations. Experience using qualitative data analysis platforms such as ATLAS.ti, Dedoose, or similar software is highly valued, along with the ability to translate complex findings into clear, impactful insights that support research objectives and stakeholder decision-making.

This role follows a hybrid work schedule; however, we can only consider applicants who will be able to commute to our Los Angeles work location a few times per week. If hired you must reside in the commutable area.
 

Requirements:

• High School Diploma/GED required.

Preferred:

• Bachelor?s degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Public Health, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field preferred.
• Expert-level fluency in Spanish, including the ability to read, write, and speak effectively, preferred, as this role partners closely with Spanish-speaking communities.
• Reliable transportation preferred for community-based research activities, including intervention delivery, data collection, participant follow-up, and dissemination of study findings.

About Cedars Sinai

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