Research Assistant 1

Mass General Brigham•Belmont, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This research assistant position is at McLean Hospital in Belmont Massachusetts and will involve performing behavioral pharmacology and neuroscience studies in laboratory animals. Responsibilities include conducting daily experiments in behavioral pharmacology and neuroscience using: a) cognitive assays to characterize how psychoactive drugs (e.g., stimulants, opioids, cannabinoids, psychedelics) impact complex behavioral processes; b) behavioral assays to characterize how environmental stressors induce changes in brain and cognition; c) physiological assays to determine how drugs and/or environmental stressors alter biological activity. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to learn a variety of cognitive, behavioral, and neuroscientific assays in laboratory animals, drug preparation and administration protocols, and stereotaxic surgery skills. They will be responsible for analyzing data using computer-based statistics/graphics programs and prepare reports of results. In addition, the successful applicant will assist with maintaining the laboratory, including monitoring safety protocols, and assisting with maintenance of animal care and husbandry.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree required
Excellent interpersonal skills, professionalism, and respect for subjects’ rights and needs are required for working with the study participants.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to follow and perform clinical research protocols.
Knowledge of basic computer programs and basic computer skills for communication, clinical, and administrative purposes.
Excellent organization skills and ability to prioritize a variety of tasks.
Careful attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with tools or skills relevant to digital mental health such as app development, programming, data analytics and visualization.
Bachelor's degree in behavioral neuroscience, pharmacology, experimental psychology, behavior analysis, or the biological sciences preferred.
Previous experience working with laboratory animals is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Provides assistance on clinical research studies as per study guidelines and protocols.
Recruits and evaluates potential study patients.
Per protocol instruction, conducts telephone interviews, schedules patient for study visits, and perform clinical symptom rating scales.
Interact with patients/subjects with regard to study, including patient education, procedural instruction, follow-up.
May serve as a liaison between patient and physician.
Responsible for collecting data and maintaining patient information database for study.
May be required to input data, do minimum analysis and run various reports.
Maintains patients records as part of record keeping function.
Responsible for mailing various study information or packets to study participants.
Answers phone calls and inquiries regarding study protocol.
Refers participants when appropriate to supervisor or clinical staff.
Monitors and sets up any needed equipment.
Maintains inventory and orders supplies when necessary.
Conducting daily experiments in behavioral pharmacology and neuroscience using cognitive, behavioral, and physiological assays.
Analyzing data using computer-based statistics/graphics programs.
Preparing reports of results.
Assisting with maintaining the laboratory, including monitoring safety protocols.
Assisting with maintenance of animal care and husbandry.