Clinical Research Assistant I (Crci), 40 Hours, Bwh Connors Center For Women’s Health

Clinical Research Assistant I (CRCI), 40 hours, BWH Connors Center for Women’s Health

GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

The Clinical Research Assistant (RA) will support clinical research protocols in the Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology and in the Department of Psychiatry at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH). The Connors Center is a hospital-wide Center focused on advancing the health of women through research and training. The RA will primarily support new clinical research in the Laboratory of Sex/Gender-Informed Translational Neuroscience under Principal Investigator Dr. Primavera Spagnolo, MD PhD, which investigates sex-specific and sex-differentiating brain mechanisms of stress-related psychiatric disorders, such as PTSD, substance use disorders and functional neurological/conversion disorders. The RA will also support the Women’s Hormones and Aging Research Program, a clinical and translational research program that conducts a series of studies focused on the hormonal and neural basis of depression, sleep disturbance, hot flashes, and metabolism.

These two research programs work closely together under combined leadership and comprise two Principal Investigators, Clinical Research Psychologists and Psychiatrists, a Director of Research Program Management, Research Coordinators, volunteer Trainees, and others. The RA will be an instrumental part of this team, learning to conduct the day-to-day implementation of clinical research protocols, as well as how to contribute to data analyses, study start-up processes, regulatory management, and, possibly, assistance with abstract and manuscript preparation. They will work closely with the rest of the Connors Center and WHARP teams with direct supervision provided by the Director of Research Program Management.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The RA is primarily responsible for the following activities:

• Assisting with literature reviews and reference management for grant submissions
• Rotating responsibility with other RAs to lead weekly lab meetings
• Setting up, downloading, and analyzing symptom monitoring equipment
• Managing the recruitment, screening, and enrollment of research participants
• Administering assessments of psychological, sleep, and other symptoms
• Organizing frozen biosamples to be sent to labs for analysis (no direct sample processing in this role)
• Other tasks as necessary.
• Collecting and entering data into electronic databases
• Coordinating all logistics and paperwork required while participants are enrolled in protocols
• Assisting with data analysis and preparation for presentation, including creating data tables, graphs, and figures.
• Assisting with compliance with the Partners IRB and other federal and institutional guidelines
• Conducting research visits with study participants and study clinicians
• Assisting with ordering research supplies and paying invoices.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Experience with PowerPoint and Excel.
• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Interest in pursuing a career in medicine, clinical psychology, human subjects research, and/or women’s health
• Experience with data collection, preferably in clinical setting.

Preferred:

• Prior experience working or volunteering in a large, academic research center.
• Experience with clinical/psychological research, including recruiting research participants and using electronic data management software.
• Interest in 2-year commitment
• Graphic design, print, or digital layout skills (e.g. creating Powerpoint slides and brochures, updating websites in Wordpress)

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of clinical/psychological research and Good Clinical Practice
• Working knowledge of literature searches & using reference management software
• Strong organizational & communication skills
• Strong critical thinking & problem-solving skills
• Computer and technological literacy
• Professional writing skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Demonstrated leadership and passion for being pro-active in getting tasks completed
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a close-knit team

Please provide a cover letter addressing your interest in this specific position and your future goals along with your resume in your application.

Note that this position is primarily on-site, with option to work remotely on occasion after the initial 3-month training period assuming at-home work expectations are met.