Description

The Research Specialist, Translational Research Workforce Development, supports the design, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of innovative workforce development initiatives that strengthen the clinical and translational research workforce pipeline. This role contributes to the development of and manages programs that support students, trainees, early-career investigators, research professionals, and faculty through education, mentorship, career development, experiential learning, and workforce readiness activities. Working collaboratively with principal investigators (PIs), program leadership, and internal and external stakeholders, the Research Specialist advances workforce development priorities, expands research career pathways, and promotes broad participation and access across the clinical and translational research ecosystem. The Research Specialist contributes to the development, implementation, and evaluation of translational research, research education, and workforce development projects and proposals. The position supports CTSA-funded team science, clinical research professional development, and workforce development initiatives through program coordination, stakeholder engagement, outcomes assessment, and continuous quality improvement.

The Research Specialist develops and delivers workforce development programs and resources, including virtual training initiatives, online learning platforms, professional development offerings, and career advancement opportunities. The position manages and actively contributes to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive digital learning environment, while overseeing related activities and ensuring the delivery of accessible, engaging, and evidence-informed educational experiences that support institutional, CTSA, and workforce development goals.

The Research Specialist works across institutional, citywide, and national partnerships to advance initiatives that strengthen team science competencies, research workforce capacity, and career development opportunities. Through program evaluation, educational innovation, dissemination of best practices, and collaborative engagement with the CTSA consortium and other stakeholders, the position contributes to advancing clinical, translational, and public health research while building sustainable pathways for the next generation of research professionals and investigators.

Workforce Development Program Design and Implementation

• Collaborate with program leadership on the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of workforce development, professional development, and translational science training initiatives that support students, trainees, research professionals, staff, and faculty across the clinical and translational research continuum.
• Contribute to the development of innovative educational programs, career development opportunities, mentoring initiatives, and experiential learning activities that support workforce recruitment, retention, advancement, and leadership development.
• Coordinate and manage program operations, including participant recruitment, onboarding, engagement, scheduling, and program completion activities. Manage program timelines, deliverables, and resource allocation for assigned workforce development initiatives.
• Oversee implementation of CCTS workforce development, clinical research professional development, translational science, and team science initiatives, recommending and implementing program enhancements as needed.
  Ensure program activities align with institutional priorities, CTSA objectives, funding requirements, and workforce development best practices.

Digital Learning and Educational Innovation

• Drive the development and management of virtual and hybrid learning programs, including webinars, workshops, self-paced courses, microlearning modules, and other digital learning resources.
• Create and maintain a centralized online learning ecosystem that provides accessible, engaging, and evidence-based educational content.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to develop and translate workforce development and research education content into effective learning experiences.
• Manage learning management systems and educational technology platforms and evaluate emerging technologies that enhance learner engagement, accessibility, and program effectiveness.
• Develop multimedia educational resources, toolkits, guides, and online training materials that expand access to workforce development opportunities.

Evaluation, Assessment, and Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement program evaluation frameworks, assessment strategies, and performance metrics to measure participant outcomes, workforce impact, and program effectiveness.
• Collect, manage, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data to support program evaluation, reporting, and continuous quality improvement.
• Coordinate research education and workforce development evaluation projects, facilitate stakeholder engagement, track project activities, and support the development of evidence-based training and educational initiatives. Monitor workforce development trends, emerging needs, and best practices to inform program planning and innovation.
• Prepare reports, dashboards, and outcome summaries for leadership, funders, and external stakeholders.

Research, Scholarship, and Grant Development

• Collaborate with Principal Investigators and program leadership to develop workforce development, translational science, and research education projects and proposals.
• Contribute to grant applications, progress reports, manuscripts, presentations, publications, and dissemination activities related to workforce development, team science, and translational research education.
• Support the design, implementation, and evaluation of CTSA-funded initiatives and collaborative projects.
• Disseminate program outcomes, educational innovations, and best practices through local, regional, and national venues.

Partnership Development and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with academic departments, research centers, healthcare organizations, professional societies, community partners, and CTSA consortium members.
• Represent CCTS in institutional, regional, and national workforce development, research education, and CTSA-related initiatives.
• Provide guidance, training, and consultation to faculty, researchers, trainees, and staff on workforce development and translational science educational initiatives.

The budgeted salary range for the position is $50,000 to $75,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements.  This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.  

For fullest consideration, please submit CV with completed application to the UIC Job Board by July 28, 2026. The University of Illinois at Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899

Job Link: https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/20295?c=uic&cfdd[0][id]=192&cfdd[0][options][0]=1166 

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social science, life science, public health, higher education, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in research, specifically with supporting research workforce development, career development, or professional education programs in academic, healthcare, or research settings.
• Experience leading complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong program management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple content development initiatives.
• Experience in the development, implementation, and evaluation, of evidence-informed research training and workforce development initiatives, such as  educational programming, mentoring activities, outcomes assessment, and continuous program improvement.
• Knowledge of research career pathways and workforce development frameworks.
• Proficiency with webinar, virtual meeting, and online collaboration platforms.
• Knowledge of research principles, concepts, practices and methods
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in clinical research, public health, social sciences, instructional design, education, educational technology, workforce development, public health, or a related field.
• Experience managing federally funded grants or workforce initiatives.
• Experience developing and managing virtual training programs, online courses, or workforce development curricula.
• Knowledge of clinical and translational research professional competencies, instructional design principles, and online research education best practices.
• Experience using learning management systems (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard Learn, Moodle, or Cornerstone OnDemand).
• Experience developing digital learning materials and managing online content repositories.
• Certification in instructional design, e-learning development, or project management.
• Experience creating multimedia educational content using authoring tools.