Research Assistant (Clinical Research)

The Research Assistant (Clinical, Behavioral and Outcomes Research) is responsible for data collection and outcome assessment of study participants. Providing general clinical and administrative support to study team, this position ensures accurate data collection and testing to provide quality care to study participants and to reach the goals of the study.

As a health care organization, we have the responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. We require that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

• Ability to perform basic phlebotomy skills, including drawing blood, preferred.
• Responsible for basic administrative duties for study including routine mailings of sub study and laboratory results, follow-up phone calls to participants, preparing study packets for participant visits, and ordering laboratory/office supplies as needed.
• Graduate of an accredited medical assistant or phlebotomy program preferred.
• Prepare blood samples for processing by spinning in centrifuge, and transferring blood serum to tubes to be stored in freezer until shipment.
• Maintain study participation by developing positive relationships, scheduling follow up appointments, encouraging continued involvement in study.
• Phlebotomy certification – or willingness to become certified on the Joslin Clinical Research center
• Ability to consistently perform detailed work to ensure accuracy in collecting and recording data, and processing and shipping samples.
• Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Chemistry or related science.
• Ability to establish rapport for study participants in order to perform tests to obtain study outcomes and to aid participant retention.
• Experience with routine clinical and laboratory procedures preferred.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Collect and record participant data in study database within guidelines set by the study protocol, IRB, and study sponsor. As well, maintain an in-clinic database of participant contact information, and other study administrative forms
• Ability to prioritize assignments to complete work in a timely manner.
• Ability to perform repetitive work according to set procedures, sequence and pace.
• Prepare and maintain exam rooms for study visits.
• Ability to work independently to facilitate patient flow, prepare exam rooms, and take study visit outcomes.
• Coordinate and run study visits including scheduling appointments and instructing participants on visit process. Take study visit outcomes, including taking vital signs, height, weight, and body measurements, performing electrocardiograms, performing routine venous blood drawings, and collecting urine samples.
• Ability to speak on a one-to-one basis to explain study protocols and processes.

The main focus of the Beta Cell Aging Lab is to understand the contribution of cellular aging to diabetes in animal and human models of disease to find new therapeutic targets that can reverse dysfunction and early cellular death.

The Senior Research Assistant II/Lab Manager will assist in the analysis of insulin secretion, mechanisms of aging and diverse mouse models.

The Senior Research Assistant II/Lab Manager will work closely with the Principal Investigator (Cristina Aguayo-Mazzucato) in experimental design and development, oversight of day-to-day laboratory operations, and coordination of experiments with lab members.

As a health care organization, we have the responsibility to do everything in our power to care for and protect our patients, our colleagues and our communities. We require that all staff be vaccinated against influenza (flu) and COVID-19 as a condition of employment.

• Maintain and perform an islet perifusion system to measure insulin secretion from cell lines, animal and human islets.
• Must be able to work independently
• Experience and comfort in handling mice and rats, and maintenance of animal colonies
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Strong interpersonal skills and excellent verbal and written communication skill
• Minimum 2 years’ supervisory experience.
• Develop new laboratory protocol(s) and participate in various lab projects.
• Work with PI in developing experimental design, evaluation, and troubleshooting for all members of the lab.
• Master’s degree in biochemistry, biology, molecular biology or related field.
• Ensure that basic operational needs of the lab are met, including ordering supplies and general lab maintenance. Especially, the status of equipment/instruments, ensuring they adhere to their calibration/maintenance schedules.
• Perform and train members of the lab on RNA, DNA, and protein isolation, Western, Northern and, PCR, tissue culture, immunohistochemistry and gene chips.
• Conduct all the regulated lab protocols revision/renewal, including animal study, COMS and human study; and act as the resource person in the lab.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Train Research Assistants/Students/Fellows/Technicians on mouse colony maintenance – including numbering, tailing, breeding, weighing, monitoring food intake, responses to medication, injecting via the intra-peritoneal and intravenous routes, and performing oral gavages.
• Minimum 5 years’ of experience with biochemical, molecular and cellular studies as well as experience working with small animals (mice and rats).
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and ability to use databases and spreads
• Train and supervise the Research Assistants. Provide feedback to PI during annual performance review process.
• Supervise and review lab data records, quality assurance, and ensure the lab is adhering to proper practices.
• Assist in the recruitment/new hire process. This includes coordinating search with Human Resources, interviewing candidates, and providing feedback/recommendation(s) to PI.
• Contribute to data generation, analysis, presentation(s), and manuscripts.
• Arrange and coordinate all lab shipments, including those for animal and samples.
• Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, biology, molecular biology or related field.
• In absence of PI, perform managerial duties.
• Working closely with the Office of Sponsored Research and Finance departments, provide oversight of lab financials and assist with budget planning.
• Maintain critical reagent inventory and sample storage.
• Allocate equitable research lab space for incoming post-doctoral fellows and research personnel, and perform overall supervision of lab equipment by research personnel.