Research Assistant II - Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences' RECOVER

UTHealth Houston • Houston, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Research Assistant II will support the RECOVER clinical trial, a multi-center study evaluating Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy for individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), conducted at the Center for Interventional Psychiatry (CIP) at the UCT Clinic. This position plays a critical role in participant identification, eligibility determination, study coordination, and long-term follow-up of participants enrolled in VNS research.

The position requires extensive review and interpretation of psychiatric and medical records to determine study eligibility, including assessment of prior antidepressant medication trials, psychotherapy history, psychiatric hospitalizations, neuromodulation treatments, medical comorbidities, and other factors relevant to treatment-resistant depression. The Research Assistant II must be able to synthesize complex clinical information and communicate findings effectively to investigators and clinical staff.

Responsibilities include participant recruitment, informed consent, clinical and research assessments, regulatory documentation, data collection, and coordination of study procedures across screening, implantation, and longitudinal follow-up phases. The Research Assistant II will work closely with psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, research coordinators, sponsors, and study participants to ensure compliance with study protocols, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and regulatory requirements.

This position is ideal for individuals with advanced training in health sciences, psychology, psychiatry, or medicine who are interested in clinical research involving treatment-resistant depression, neuromodulation, and interventional psychiatry. Schedule is Monday through Friday, with routine start times at 8:00 AM, at our Center for Interventional Psychiatry Clinic. Occasional flexibility may be required based on participant schedules and study needs.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Public Health, Clinical Research, Nursing, Social Work, or a related health sciences field, or an MD (or equivalent) obtained outside the United States that does not require U.S. licensure for this research position.
• Strong knowledge of psychiatric disorders, including treatment-resistant depression, as well as psychopharmacology, psychotherapy interventions, and common medical comorbidities.
• Experience conducting comprehensive medical record reviews and synthesizing complex psychiatric and medical histories.
• Ability to evaluate prior medication trials, psychotherapy treatments, psychiatric hospitalizations, and neuromodulation interventions to support study eligibility determinations.
• Solid understanding of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), human subjects protection, and research ethics.
• Experience coordinating clinical research studies and interacting with study participants.
• Proficiency with Epic, REDCap, Microsoft Office, electronic data capture systems.
• Experience with source documentation, regulatory compliance, and electronic case report forms (eCRFs).
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strict adherence to confidentiality and HIPAA requirements.
• Experience working with individuals with major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, or other serious mental illnesses.
• Bachelor's Degree required.
• One year of related experience in a research or clinical lab environment.
• Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with interventional psychiatry treatments—such as Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and ketamine-based therapies—is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conducts basic/translational research, which may include animal work and other research activities.
• Handle biological samples, perform laboratory experiments and activities, and data collection.
• Conduct comprehensive pre-screening and detailed medical record reviews to assess participant eligibility, including evaluation of psychiatric diagnoses, treatment history, psychotherapy exposure, medication trials, medical comorbidities, and prior interventional treatments.
• Synthesize complex psychiatric and medical histories for investigator review, identifying relevant prior treatments for treatment-resistant depression, and supporting eligibility determinations.
• Recruit and screen participants, obtain informed consent, coordinate and schedule study visits and long-term follow-ups, and administer or assist with psychiatric, cognitive, and behavioral assessments per protocol.
• Perform laboratory experiments and activities to support research objectives.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation including notebooks, records, databases, etc. as needed by the research project.
• Prepare graphic representations of data results.
• Maintain clean laboratory equipment and/or work area to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
• Monitor laboratory and/or other supplies to ensure sufficient inventory to support research projects in a timely manner.
• Stay abreast of new and updated procedures and protocols for research laboratory.
• Maintain compliance with required training.
• Participate in continuing education programs, seminars, and workshops.
• Coordinate the work of laboratory technicians, support staff and other assistants to ensure efficient, timely and high quality results.
• Answer questions or resolve problems regarding routine or more complex duties.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Collect and enter data accurately and perform quality control within electronic data capture systems.
• Maintain source documentation, regulatory files, and essential study records in compliance with regulatory standards.
• Collaborate closely with investigators, clinical teams, sponsors, CROs, and regulatory offices.
• Monitor participant safety, report adverse events and protocol deviations.
• Support audits and monitoring visits.
• Implement strategies to promote participant retention throughout the study lifecycle.

Benefits

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Retirement/pension plan
• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care

What This Job Offers

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