Research Assistant I NEUROLOGY IK

Mass General Brigham•Boston, MA

1d•$21 - $29•Hybrid

About The Position

Provides assistance to the Principal Investigator and Study Team in coordinating research activities that may include conducting a variety of routine experiments with established methodologies, data collection and management, and other research activities as assigned. Candidates who are in the process of completing their bachelor's degree have a grace period of six months from their hire date (up to 1 year if starting per diem) to provide degree equivalency verification. The Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics is seeking a Research Assistant to work on a prospective study of mood and other neuropsychiatric symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). The study combines clinical questionnaires with structural and functional brain imaging to investigate how MS brain changes contribute to neuropsychiatric symptoms. The research assistant will recruit and enroll participants with MS, primarily through telephone and virtual contact. Responsibilities will include contacting potential participants, reviewing the study and informed consent, coordinating data collection, following participants through study completion and maintaining study records in REDCap. Strong patient-facing communication skills are central to this position. The Research Assistant should be able to establish rapport with study participants, explain study procedures clearly, communicate sensitively about mood and other symptoms, respond appropriately to participants’ questions and concerns and maintain professional and reliable contact over the course of the study. The research assistant will review completion of mood and other symptom questionnaires and follow established study procedures for concerning responses. Results meeting predefined safety criteria will be promptly communicated to the Principal Investigator and study physicians. The research assistant will work closely with the Principal Investigator (Isaiah Kletenik, MD) and other study investigators at both the Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics and Brigham Multiple Sclerosis Center and will participate in regular study meetings. Additional responsibilities will include maintaining recruitment and enrollment records, monitoring data completeness, assisting with IRB and regulatory documentation and supporting other aspects of study conduct.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree Science required
New grad with some relevant coursework
0-1 year preferred
Good interpersonal and communication skills.
Careful attention to detail.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize a variety of tasks.
Computer literacy, including database tools.
Ability to follow directions and exhibit professionalism.
Strong patient-facing communication skills are central to this position.
Ability to establish rapport with study participants.
Ability to explain study procedures clearly.
Ability to communicate sensitively about mood and other symptoms.
Ability to respond appropriately to participants’ questions and concerns.
Ability to maintain professional and reliable contact over the course of the study.

Responsibilities

Responsible for data collection, management, manipulation, analysis, and reporting.
Study cohort management.
Outreach communication with subjects, conducting mailings, follow-up on mailings, and obtaining necessary documents.
Provides assistance on work related to epidemiological studies and other population-based research.
Recruit and enroll participants with MS, primarily through telephone and virtual contact.
Contact potential participants, review the study and informed consent.
Coordinate data collection.
Follow participants through study completion.
Maintain study records in REDCap.
Review completion of mood and other symptom questionnaires and follow established study procedures for concerning responses.
Promptly communicate results meeting predefined safety criteria to the Principal Investigator and study physicians.
Maintain recruitment and enrollment records.
Monitor data completeness.
Assist with IRB and regulatory documentation.
Support other aspects of study conduct.