Clinical Research Associate 2 - Qualitative Research

Join the HJF Team!

HJF is seeking a Clinical Research Associate II who monitors the execution of clinical trials associated with specific projects. Ensures that all necessary steps are taken towards safety provisions and all regulations are adhered.

This position will be in support of the Family Medicine Department on a federally funded, multi-site research study, Targeting Chronic Pain in Primary Care Settings Using Internal Behavioral Health Consultants (TARGET-PAIN). The study evaluates innovative, team-based approaches to managing chronic pain among active-duty service members, their families, and retirees through the integration of Behavioral Health Consultants in primary care. As a Research Associate II, you will play a central role in coordinating qualitative research activities, including conducting interviews, managing transcription workflows, and performing in-depth qualitative analysis to explore provider and patient experiences. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to protocol development and implementation while advancing research that informs policy and clinical practice across the Military Health System.

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing military medicine. We serve military, medical, academic and government clients by administering, managing and supporting preeminent scientific programs that benefit members of the armed forces and civilians alike. Since its founding in 1983, HJF has served as a vital link between the military medical community and its federal and private partners. HJF's support and administrative capabilities allow military medical researchers and clinicians to maintain their scientific focus and accomplish their research goals.

• Submits protocol application and consent forms on behalf of PI to local Institutional Review Board (IRB). Ensures that all amendments, continuing reviews and adverse events have been submitted to the IRB.
• Ensures that regulatory documents are maintained and are up to date. Maintains accurate regulatory compliant program/study binders for each study. Responsible for updates and maintenance of regulatory requirements such as the investigator's CVs, changes in PI, FDA form 1572, training records, license etc.
• Performs qualification, initiation, monitoring, and closeout of study. Completion of monitoring reports and follow-up letters, which includes providing summaries of the significant findings, deviations, deficiencies, and suggest actions to obtain compliance.
• Assures sufficient investigator qualifications, training, facility resources, laboratories, equipment, and staff to properly support studies. Ensures the site is identifying issues and implementing corrective and preventive actions to ensure inspection readiness.
• Performs research source documentation verification against case report form data, including informing the site staff of any entry errors, ensuring GCP are being adhered to and communicating protocol deviations appropriately per SOPs, GCP, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Monitors and assesses the clinical research site's patient recruitment and retention success.
• May train other Clinical Research Associates or Assistants.
• Planning and forecasting of budget items.
• Performs routine data analysis and basic interpretation. Verifies and corrects data entry.
  Recruitment & Consent: Recruit participants (primary care providers, learners); conduct informed consent per ethical and regulatory guidelines.
• Data Collection & Management: Conduct in-depth, one-on-one interviews; securely manage electronic interview data and participant information with strict adherence to data security protocols. Perform detailed transcription and data enrichment using NVivo or other designated software.
• Qualitative Data Analysis: Lead and perform rigorous qualitative data analysis using NVivo or other qualitative software, applying established methodologies (e.g., grounded theory, phenomenology) to identify concepts, codes, categories, themes, and action-oriented statements. Demonstrate advanced proficiency in qualitative software for all aspects of analysis, including maintaining an auditable trail. Integrate findings with theoretical frameworks.
• Research & Publication: Assist with writing and editing experimental results for peer-reviewed publication. Collaborate on literature reviews, scoping reviews, abstracts, manuscripts, posters, talks, etc.
• May perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for role.
  

Education and Experience

• Master's Degree required.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of a broad range of medical specialties.
• Working knowledge of all applicable federal and military regulations regarding the use of human and animal subjects in research (e.g.: 21 CFR 50, 21 CFR 56, 21 CFR 312, 21 CFR 314,45 CFR 46, FDA Form 1571, and FDA Form 1572).
• Familiarity with Institutional Review Board activities and Institutional Biosafety Committee actions required.
• Deep understanding and practical application of various qualitative research approaches and their philosophical underpinnings. Ability to select and justify appropriate methods.
• Proven ability to guide complex qualitative data analysis processes using NVivo or other software, including coding framework development, thematic analysis facilitation, ensuring rigor, and strategic interpretation.
• Skill in critically evaluating and adapting qualitative study designs while maintaining methodological integrity.
• Expertise in complex ethical considerations, especially in sensitive contexts (e.g., Military Health System), ensuring rigorous adherence to participant confidentiality, informed consent, and data security.
• Experience preparing qualitative findings for peer-reviewed publication, conference presentations, and diverse audiences.
• Ability to mentor junior researchers in qualitative techniques, analysis, and ethics, fostering a collaborative environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with researchers from diverse disciplines, military and civilian (e.g., quantitative, clinical, public health).
• Understanding of clinical trial processes; experience with participant recruitment and consenting.
• Experience with REDCap, SurveyMonkey, Google Forms. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite. Experience creating and maintaining source documents (preferred).
• Highly organized; excellent written, verbal, and analytical communication skills. Able to concisely and effectively convey complex ideas to a variety of audiences.
• Develop data-driven actionable recommendations for product development, project improvement, and expansion.
• Ability to meet deadlines, multitask, and prioritize and track progress on work.
  Grant, Technical, Protocol Writing: Experience contributing to or leading grant proposals (depending on role), manuscripts, journals, and protocols.
• Ability to manage time independently with minimal supervision and maintain and meet expected deadlines.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a T1/Public Trust background clearance.

Physical Capabilities

• Lifting: Requires lifting materials up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to stand or sit at a computer for prolonged periods.

Work Environment

• This position will take place primarily in a clinical setting.

Compensation

• The annual salary range for this position is $57,650-$76,000. Actual salary will be determined based on experience, education, etc.

Benefits

• HJF offers a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on your health and well-being, from medical, dental, and vision coverage to health savings and retirement plans, and more.

Employment with HJF is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, which may include, but is not limited to, contacting your professional references, verification of previous employment, education and credentials, a criminal background check, and a department of motor vehicle (DMV) check if applicable. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents, in lieu of stated minimums, require the prior approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.