RESEARCH COMM & ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST II, DCRI

School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Research Communications Specialist II

Seeking Experienced Research Communicator with a Focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The DCRI’s Research Communications & Engagement (RC&E) team is seeking an experienced Research Communications Specialist II to join our team. We encourage people from every race/ethnicity, belief, gender, sexual identity, background, and culture to join our team as we build a diverse and inclusive institute that represents the full diversity of the research communities we serve.

This team member is responsible for co-leading the development and implementation of communications strategies and tactics for DCRI-led clinical research projects, which range from traditional clinical studies to research networks, industry consortiums, and partner collaborations. Our communication programs are designed to engage a broad range of stakeholders, including patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, healthcare leaders, and policymakers.

The ideal candidate will possess strong project management, writing, and communications skills with a strong attention to detail. The candidate must be able to work with and manage teams of people, without having direct supervisory responsibilities. This position requires a background including an understanding of effective communications approaches, experience translating scientific and medical concepts into plain language for various audiences, and a desire to learn about clinical research engagement and communication. Other skills of interest include Spanish or other foreign language fluency, experience communicating with underrepresented communities in clinical research, and competency in the use of a wide range of digital communications tools and tactics.

** NOTE: This position may have an opportunity to work remotely.  All Duke University and Duke Health remote workers must reside in one of the following states or districts:  Arizona; California; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Illinois; Maryland; Massachusetts; Montana; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Virginia or Washington, DC., Washington (State), Connecticut

About DCRI Research Communications & Engagement (RC&E)

The DCRI’s RC&E team is a specialized health communications and engagement agency serving external research sponsors (e.g., NIH, FDA, biopharma industry). We are fully billable and accountable to our research sponsors. Recognizing that engagement and communications are inextricably linked, our team comprises clinical research communicators and engagement specialists with decades of experience developing compelling, informative, and strategic communications and engagement approaches in support of our research programs and studies.

Our team includes members skilled in communications strategy, marketing, social media, web development, videography, graphic design, production management, and medical writing and editing. We understand the science of communications and work alongside our research sponsors and project teams to produce print, multimedia, and digital communications that engage a wide range of stakeholder audiences. Our programs support research operations, including recruitment, retention, ongoing engagement, and translation of research into care.

The DCRI has a long history of engaging representative stakeholders at every step of the research process. Key to the success of the DCRI’s RC&E is our Research Together program, which builds and sustains equitable, authentic, and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders in our research communities, including patients and their caregivers. This foundation supports the integration of stakeholder values and beliefs into the research development and dissemination process. The DCRI’s RC&E team uses a holistic, inclusive approach to develop culturally relevant engagement and dissemination strategies that promote meaningful collaborations between and among our researchers and research communities.

About the Position

The Research Communications Specialist II supports our communication programs by co-leading the project management, writing, and development of all deliverables, such as communications plans, brochures, press releases, social media posts, and informational websites. They have a central role in identifying critical information necessary for successful participation in research by sites and study participants; translating complex concepts into plain language; and creating a variety of products including site materials, advertising materials, newsletters, study websites, and patient education materials. This team member partners with the research sponsor and others in the RC&E team, including graphic designers, production managers, and web developers, to manage the process of perfecting written content into its final format. This Research Communications Specialist II is supported and developed by the Research Communications Specialist III or Manager on the project.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the project management of the entire communications portfolio of work for a given sponsor or project, ensuring on-time, on-budget, and high-quality delivery.
• Co-lead the development of communications plans for a given sponsor or project, and the execution of those plans.
• Demonstrate a commitment to professionalism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Identify, plan, and develop a range of digital and printed materials to support trial and project engagement among key stakeholders.  
• Provide input on communications tactics to optimize participant recruitment, study operations, and site performance.  
• Research social media and other trending technologies and suggest appropriate tactics to improve stakeholder engagement.  
• Manage the translation process of relevant materials to reach diverse populations.  
• Act as the team liaison for developing and finalizing content and relaying sponsor and study team input on design and formatting options.
• Develop initial draft of timelines and co-manage to ensure that all deliverables are completed to the satisfaction of the DCRI clinical operation teams, principal investigators, and sponsors and follow relevant regulations, standard processes, policies, and procedures.
• Provide input for the development of proposals for new work and project budgets.  
• Collaborate with other functional groups within the organization to support project goals.
• Track and report feedback received on deliverables to identify areas of success and opportunities for improvement.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and experience in the coordination, planning, and implementation of communication strategies and tactics.
• Foundational therapeutic knowledge, including medical terminology.  
• Working knowledge of, and skill in applying, applicable clinical research regulatory requirements, i.e., Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines.  
• Ability to understand and interpret clinical protocols and associated study specifications.  
• Proficient in translating scientific, medical, and complex concepts into more easily understood language for various audiences.  
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including a strong command of the English language.  
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.  
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver quality results.
• Good teamwork and leadership skills.  
• Strong customer service skills.  
• Ability to manage competing priorities.  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, managers, and clients.  
• Strong software and computer skills, including proficient use of MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, graphic design, or related field.

Experience

Two years of research communications experience OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Minimum Qualifications
Education

Work requires a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, graphic design, or related field.

Experience

Two years of clinical trial communications experience. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE "

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.