Research Specialist Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
Research Specialist jobs in Pittsburgh are in strong demand, concentrated in Oakland, Shadyside, and the Strip District across healthcare, higher education, and applied sciences. Leading employers right now include UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, and PNC Financial Services. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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This position is supported through an NIH-funded research grant examining mother-infant synchrony in brain activity and emotional behavior. The study, Postpartum Affect from Infant-Mother Regulation (PAIR), explores how postpartum depression influences positive and negative mother-infant interactions during research visits conducted between 3 and 9 months postpartum. The project is jointly led by Morgan, Judith through the Child Affect Regulation and Expression (CARE) Lab and Hipwell, Alison through the Intergenerational Studies Lab within the Department of Psychiatry.
The Research Specialist will collect near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and behavioral data during home-based visits with mothers and infants throughout the greater Pittsburgh region. Additional responsibilities include supporting study operations through data collection, data entry, quality assurance, and data management activities to ensure the integrity and success of the research project.
This position is grant funded.
Responsibilities:
- Independently execute job functions for research protocol(s) including recruitment, scheduling appointments, obtaining written consent forms, collecting data by conducting phone or face to face interviews for research project(s).
- Collaborate with senior research personnel regarding recruitment, data collection, outcomes of interviews, reports according to the needs of the study.
- Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Psychology, Neuroscience, Sociology or related research field.
- Minimum of one year of work experience in a research project and/or related clinical setting is required.
- Familiarity with computers and common software packages required.
- Working knowledge of research methodology strongly preferred.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
- Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
- Act 33 with renewal
- Act 34
- Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
This position is supported through an NIH-funded research grant examining mother-infant synchrony in brain activity and emotional behavior. The study, Postpartum Affect from Infant-Mother Regulation (PAIR), explores how postpartum depression influences positive and negative mother-infant interactions during research visits conducted between 3 and 9 months postpartum. The project is jointly led by Morgan, Judith through the Child Affect Regulation and Expression (CARE) Lab and Hipwell, Alison through the Intergenerational Studies Lab within the Department of Psychiatry.
The Research Specialist will collect near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and behavioral data during home-based visits with mothers and infants throughout the greater Pittsburgh region. Additional responsibilities include supporting study operations through data collection, data entry, quality assurance, and data management activities to ensure the integrity and success of the research project.
This position is grant funded.
Responsibilities:
- Independently execute job functions for research protocol(s) including recruitment, scheduling appointments, obtaining written consent forms, collecting data by conducting phone or face to face interviews for research project(s).
- Collaborate with senior research personnel regarding recruitment, data collection, outcomes of interviews, reports according to the needs of the study.
- Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Psychology, Neuroscience, Sociology or related research field.
- Minimum of one year of work experience in a research project and/or related clinical setting is required.
- Familiarity with computers and common software packages required.
- Working knowledge of research methodology strongly preferred.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
- Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
- Act 33 with renewal
- Act 34
- Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
See All 10 Research Specialist Jobs in Pittsburgh
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Find Research Specialist JobsResearch Specialist Job Market in Pittsburgh
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Banking & Financial Services
Research Specialist Jobs in Pittsburgh: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a research specialist job in Pittsburgh?
Target Pittsburgh's densest hiring corridors: Oakland's university medical complex, UPMC's network of affiliated research institutes, and the life sciences corridor anchored near the Strip District. Candidates with experience in clinical data, policy analysis, or academic research gain an edge here. Tailoring your application to show familiarity with Pittsburgh's collaborative research ecosystem, including ties between universities and hospital systems, strengthens your chances significantly.
Which companies hire research specialists in Pittsburgh?
Employers hiring research specialists in Pittsburgh right now include UPMC, University of Pittsburgh, and PNC Financial Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Pittsburgh's market is anchored by large academic medical centers, research universities, and technology-adjacent nonprofits that maintain ongoing research staffing needs throughout the year.
Are there remote research specialist jobs in Pittsburgh?
Yes, but it depends heavily on the role type. Desk-based and analytical research work is far more remote-friendly than hands-on lab or clinical positions. About 0% of research specialist openings tied to Pittsburgh are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with the highest concentration of flexible arrangements found in policy research, market intelligence, and social science roles.
How can I get a research specialist job in Pittsburgh with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Pittsburgh is through research coordinator or research assistant roles at Oakland-based academic medical centers and university departments, which regularly hire candidates with a relevant bachelor's degree and strong analytical skills. Internships with Pittsburgh-area think tanks, public health agencies, and federally funded research programs also convert into full roles. Demonstrating proficiency in data tools like SPSS, R, or Excel moves entry-level applications to the top of the pile locally.
Which industries hire the most research specialists in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh research specialist roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Education, and Banking & Financial Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Pittsburgh's identity as a hub for medicine, robotics, and AI-adjacent research means those sectors sustain consistent hiring depth that outlasts typical project cycles.
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