Clinical Research Assistant

Oregon Health & Science University • Portland, OR

5d

About The Position

The Department of Psychiatry at OHSU is recruiting a full-time Clinical Research Assistant for the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study. The study investigates neurodevelopment, behavior, learning, environmental factors, substance exposure, and cognitive functioning in pregnant people and their children under the direction of Principal Investigators Alice Graham, Ph.D., and Elinor Sullivan, Ph.D.

The Clinical Research Assistant will support study activities by consenting participants, coordinating visits, and conducting data collection visits. Data collection includes behavioral assessments of infant and early childhood development, EEG and MRI sessions with infants and young children, biological sample collection, and questionnaires. The role also prepares, processes, and cleans materials for research visits and provides filing, copying, data processing, and other general support for the study. The assistant attends weekly laboratory staff meetings with the principal investigators and senior staff.

Data collection frequently takes place in the evenings and on weekends, and the role requires evening and weekend work. Applicants should be dependable, detail-oriented, able to multitask and work at a fast pace, and skilled in oral, email, and written communication.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with major courses in the field of research; or an associate degree and two years of relevant experience; or three years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Previous experience working with infants and young children.
• Basic computer and office-related skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Very strong organizational skills.
• Ability to multitask, be dependable, pay attention to detail, and work in a fast-paced, timely manner.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or major studies in psychology, biology, or a related field.
• Previous experience working in a research setting and/or with EEG, MRI, or behavioral assessments.
• Experience working with pregnant people, infants, or young children.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of infant and child development and/or human subjects research.
• Intermediate computer experience with Word and Excel.
• Interest in mental health, health care, and substance use treatment.

Responsibilities

• Consent study participants.
• Coordinate research visits.
• Conduct data collection visits with participants.
• Collect data using behavioral assessments of infant and early childhood development, EEG, MRI, biological samples, and questionnaires.
• Prepare, process, and clean materials needed for research visits.
• Perform filing, copying, data processing, and other general duties supporting the study.
• Attend weekly laboratory staff meetings with the principal investigators and senior staff.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed to complete study data collection.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level