Clinical Research Assistant – Neuroscientists Exploring Advances in Technology (NEAT) Lab

PAVIR • Stanford, CA

7d

About The Position

Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research (PAVIR) supports the nation's second largest research program conducted among the VA Hospitals and is looking for a full-time Clinical Research Assistant. The Clinical Research Assistant supports clinical research in the Neuroscientists Exploring Advances in Technology (NEAT) lab. The role assists with participant recruitment, scheduling, consenting (under PI/supervisor direction), data collection/entry, and basic study visit support related to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), neuropsychological functioning, and biomarkers of treatment response. Training will be provided.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 0–1 year of related experience (internships, practicum, volunteer roles, or lab coursework acceptable).
• Ability to learn and follow study protocols, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and VA/PAVIR procedures (training provided).
• Basic data skills (Excel/Google Sheets); willingness to learn REDCap or similar systems.
• Clear written and verbal communication; strong attention to detail and documentation habits.
• Reliable, organized, and able to follow direction, ask questions, and escalate concerns promptly.
• Professionalism, teamwork, and sensitivity to diverse patient populations

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree
• Prior exposure to clinical or research settings (e.g., patient contact, data entry)
• Interest in clinical research and comfort interacting with participants.
• Familiarity with informed consent processes, neurocognitive/symptom assessments, or TMS-training provided if not yet experienced.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate TMS equipment according to established protocols.
• Accurately position the treatment coil and adjust parameters as prescribed by the supervising clinician or protocol.
• Monitor patients/participants during sessions for safety, tolerability, and adverse effects.
• Document treatment details, patient responses, and any adverse events in medical or research records.
• Conduct initial outreach, pre-screening, and schedule eligible participants.
• Communicate visit logistics and reminders; document outreach outcomes.
• Explain study procedures and obtain informed consent as delegated by the PI.
• Administer basic neurocognitive and symptom checklist assessments; score per protocol.
• Enter data into case report forms and approved databases (e.g., REDCap); perform routine QC checks.
• Maintain participant trackers and follow-up logs.
• Clean and prepare study datasets (e.g., REDCap/device exports), run basic descriptive statistics, and generate simple tables/figures under supervision.
• Perform routine data quality checks (range/logic, missingness), maintain de-identified, securely stored files, and document steps for reproducibility.
• Prepare rooms/materials; assist with visit flow and post-visit documentation.
• Support TMS session setup/checklists as trained; promptly escalate issues to the supervisor/PI.
• Maintain source documents, regulatory binders, and site files as directed.
• Track supplies; coordinate with clinic/study staff for room/equipment scheduling.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and huddles; complete required VA/PAVIR trainings.
• Assist with simple literature look-ups and drafting of routine study summaries as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• PAVIR offers generous benefits, including comprehensive health insurance, vision, dental, 14 paid holidays, paid vacation time, sick pay, a 401(k) with a fully vested 6% company match and 3% profit share, a wellness program, commuter benefits, and professional development training.
• Plus, we pay for life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.
• Full time hours are 40 hours a week.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees