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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

About the company

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is a nationally recognized, top-tier public research university that unites the power of higher education, biomedical discovery and healthcare within one visionary institution. As the third-largest research university in Texas and a Carnegie R1-designated institution, UT San Antonio is a model of access and excellence — advancing knowledge, social mobility and public health across South Texas and beyond. UT San Antonio serves approximately 42,000 students in 320 academic programs spanning science, engineering, medicine, health, liberal arts, AI, cybersecurity, business, education and more. With 17,000 faculty and staff, UT San Antonio has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Company Culture. 
Benefits Overview UT Health San Antonio offers an excellent benefits package for its employees. Employees who work at least 20 hours a week, with an appointment of at least 4.5 months, are eligible for benefits. 
Medical - UT SELECT Medical insurance is offered free for employees and administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. Family members can be added to the plan through payroll deduction. Employees and their dependents can also receive discounted copays and coinsurance when using UT Health Physicians, a network of 800 premier physicians including more than 100 specialists. Employees receive $50,000 of group term life insurance and $50,000 of basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance for free, with options to purchase additional employee and dependent coverage for both at group rates.
Dental - Three dental insurance plan options are available for employees and their families through Delta Dental Insurance Company, two PPOs and one dental HMO plan. Both PPO plans allow employees to choose any licensed dentist. 
Vision - Fully insured Vision Care benefits are offered by Superior Vision Services. Two vision plan options that offer either standard or enhanced vision benefits.
Disability - Employees can enroll in the Disability Insurance which provides income if a non-work related illness or injury prevents you from working.
FSAs - Employees can enroll in flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to set aside money from earnings before taxes for qualifying dependent day care expenses or out-of-pocket health care expenses. 
Retirement - Employees are eligible for either the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). TRS is a defined benefit retirement plan which UT Health matches employee contributions. ORP is for eligible faculty staff employees. Voluntary retirement programs are also available to invest before- or after-tax dollars with the choice of five quality retirement plan providers. 
Time Off - A generous leave program offers multiple paid leave options:

• Front-loaded Paid Time Off: 128 to 208 hours (16 to 26 days) of Paid Time Off based on years of service, given at the start of each fiscal year. PTO may be prorated in year one based on date of hire.
• Extended Illness Bank: 8 hours (1 day) accrued per month which can be used for illness or injury after one day of Paid Time Off is taken.
• Paid Family Leave: Up to 240 hours (6 weeks) to care for a spouse, child, or parent after 6 months of consecutive employment.
• Holidays: 12 set paid holidays each year.

Discounts - Employees enjoy a range of discounts on services, tickets, and gym membership.
EEO Statement UT Health San Antonio is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.  It is our policy to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.