Kick It California (KIC), based in Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego, is positioned to intersect research and practice in the field of tobacco control. Established in 1992 as the first publicly funded statewide quitline, KIC (formerly known as the California Smokers' Helpline) contributed to the wide establishment of evidence-based, telephone-counseling services for smoking cessation both in the U.S. and internationally.

KIC's scientific innovation and research is recognized for advancing the field of tobacco control. KIC researchers organize large population surveys that examine substance use behavior among adolescents in addition to conducting randomized controlled trials of tobacco cessation interventions. KIC is funded to evaluate multiple school-based behavioral intervention programs, including California's Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program.

At KIC, the Research Coordinator will join a team of survey and staff researchers, statisticians, and postgraduates in conducting research projects related to adolescents, health behavior, and substance-use prevention programming. The Research Coordinator will be responsible for designing and implementing surveys and other data collection procedures and protocols to efficiently meet study goals. The Research Coordinator is expected to use skills as a seasoned, experienced professional with a full understanding of industry practices including scientific methodologies and policies and procedures related to human subject research, to apply theory to practice with in-depth understanding of the professional field; to research, analyze, and develop solutions to a wide range of issues; and to demonstrate good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.

Areas of assignment may include one or more of the following: 1) local and statewide student surveys (e.g., Mapping Youth Health Behavior Survey, MYHB), 2) Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program evaluation, 3) agency-specific evaluation projects, and/or other special projects. Main duties will include:

1. Maintain direct communication with PI/director and research team and enhance collaborations with clients/external partners.
2. Prepare, implement, and document surveys and other research projects, including handling IRB, protocols, instruments, and other materials.
3. Facilitate study planning, design, and question development with research team.
4. Provide guidance and training to staff, prepare protocols, project manuals, and other technical documentation.
5. Monitor progress e.g., response rates, and ensure high-quality data collection.
6. Analyze quantitative and qualitative data; summarize/present research findings.
7. Prepare project reports and other deliverables. Assist with contracts and grant proposals.
8. Contribute to research, including conducting literature reviews, and writing scientific papers.

Other duties as assigned.

• Seven years of related experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor's degree in related area plus three years of related experience/training.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Thorough knowledge of data collection activities, research studies, data collection procedures and protocols.

• Thorough knowledge and skills relating to the development of survey instrumentation.

• Knowledge associated with monitoring staffing levels, recruitment and training procedures.

• Thorough knowledge of budget planning process.

• Demonstrated skill in critical thinking. Ability to independently assess the needs of the department and develop appropriate strategies to meet them. Ability to oversee implementation of strategies, evaluate their effectiveness, and revise as needed.

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate staff meetings, and to provide effective training on office and research protocols and client service issues.

• Demonstrated written communication skills to draft clear, concise protocols, survey instruments, reports, and other forms of documentation.

• Demonstrated oral communication and interpersonal skills to effectively present information to a diverse audience.

• Ability to work independently, as well as part of a research team, taking direction from study directors.

• Ability to analyze, research, and synthesize large amounts of scientific data.

• Experience with report preparation and presentation.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). Excel and Access database skills for monitoring shared reporting. Ability to learn new software applications quickly. Experience using qualitative and/or statistical software applications.

• One year of experience managing research projects.

• Knowledge of the field of tobacco control, substance use prevention, and education.

• Experience coordinating research such as surveys and interviews at K-12 schools in California.

• Proficiency in SAS, Tableau; and qualitative data analysis packages (Dedoose, NVivo, MAXQDA).

• Experience in utilizing CRMs and/or similar relational databases to efficiently organize study projects.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.