Research Assistant

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The Research Assistant is part of the EBRL in the Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for successful research protocol implementation of the Healthy Brain and Child Development project (https://hbcdstudy.org/), an observational study with 25 sites nation-wide which will recruit pregnant birthing parents and follow them and their children for 10 years. Reporting directly to the Senior Project Coordinator, the Research Assistant is a full-time position whose primary responsibility is to independently perform a wide variety of complex multi-modal data collection protocols for the HBCD research study in accordance with Vanderbilt Institutional Review Board (IRB) regulations, federal and sponsor regulations and guidelines, Vanderbilt Policies, and research protocols. 

The Research Assistant will also implement retention procedures, perform ongoing informed reconsent processes with research participants, implement processes to assure study-related procedures are performed as required and objectives and timelines are met, and complete other study-related duties as assigned. 

Note: work hours are based on research participant appointments which are scheduled at all times of day, including morning, afternoon, late afternoon, evening, and/or weekends. PRIOR EXPERIENCE AND COMFORT IN WORKING WITH PARTENTS AND CHILDREN RANGING FROM NEWBORNS THROUGH EARLY SCHOOL AGE IS REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS ROLE, ALONG WITH DEMONSTRATED STRONG ATTENTION TO DETAIL.

This is a role that is set to last two years. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Collect and organize data obtained from research activities. 
  • Independently, accurately, and compliantly performs the procedures required of the study protocol. Works collaboratively with study participants and other staff, departments, and institutions to safely and accurately perform study procedures. 
    • Conducts MRI acquisition sessions, including being in the MRI with the infant/child which may require standing for 1.5-2 hours and/or lying down on the scan table. 
    • Conducts EEG data acquisition sessions. 
    • Administers surveys and questionnaires. 
    • Collects and processes biospecimen samples. 
    • Administer standardized developmental assessments. 
    • Complete pre- and post-visit procedures associated participant visits. 
  • Retrieve biospecimens and study equipment from participants within an 8-mile radius of campus. 
  • Enter data into databases. o Maintain research participant files and records. 
  • Independently identifies and troubleshoots problems as they arise. 
  • Performs quality-control checks and confirms data completeness and integrity. 
• Conducts research for human subjects research projects in accordance with applicable policies and guidelines. 
  • Ensures research is conducted in compliance with Federal regulations and guidelines governing the protection of human subjects, e.g., FDA, OHRP, GCP/ICH, and HIPAA regulations. 
  • Ensures that study specimens are collected, processed, packaged, and shipped to the sponsor or laboratory in accordance with sponsor and shipping guidelines and regulations, maintaining appropriate documentation. 
  • Participates in the ongoing informed consent process, ensuring that human subjects and their families clearly understand what is expected of and from them in the course of participating in the research project. 
• Assist in other administrative general lab procedures and maintenance as needed. 
  • Assist in the preparation of materials for publication. 
  • Read professional journals and attend meetings &/or seminars. 
  • Collaboratively participate in study team meetings. Maintain open and positive communications with investigators, participants, co-workers, other departments and sponsors. 

Supervisory Relationships 

This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively and functionally to Senior Project Coordinator. 

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree is necessary. 
• Degree within the fields of Psychology, Education, Neuroscience, or related field is strongly preferred. 
• Prior experience and comfort working with parents and children ranging from newborns through school age is necessary. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office is necessary. 
• Ability to lift and hold an infant or small child, walk across campus daily, and stand or lie on MRI scanner bed for extended periods of time is necessary. 
• Access to reliable personal transportation (for biospecimen and materials collection) is strongly preferred. 
• Prior experience working in a research setting (> 1 year) is strongly preferred. 
• Exposure to standardized developmental assessment administration and/or neuroimaging methods, especially fMRI and/or EEG, is preferred. 

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