Research Assistant - Otolaryngology

University of Iowa•Iowa City, IA

About The Position

Provide assistance in conducting several research projects on central auditory processing and speech perception in aged population including cochlear implant users. Responsibilities include recruiting various subject populations, including people who use cochlear implants and hearing aids; performing assessments of language, cognition and hearing on these individuals; testing them in EEG, PET (Positron Emission Tomography), and other experimental paradigms; assisting in experiment design and development; managing data; and participating in other research tasks. This is performed as part of a large research team that includes the PI, multiple faculty, and several staff members, as well as graduate and undergraduate students. Key areas of responsibilities include conducting research activities/experiments; collecting, analyzing and summarizing data; preparing reports; contributing to manuscripts/publications; administrative and project management; facilities and equipment management; and supervising staff.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree in medical sciences, psychology, neuroscience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience with EEG data collection.
Experience aiding in the setup of an EEG laboratory.
Demonstrated experience with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) experiments.
Experience working with aging or elderly adult populations in an audiology / hearing science research or clinical setting.
Experience performing and scoring standardized clinical assessments of auditory perception.
Experience with programming languages in the EEG experimental setting (e.g., Matlab).
Experience with audio equipment.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated scientific communication skills, including experience presenting research posters or talks at academic conferences.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (e.g., Word, Excel).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

Perform research activities based upon protocols developed by other research staff or principal investigator of the research project.
Read and review articles as directed.
As individual skills develop, analyze literature to develop hypothesis for discussion with other researchers or principal investigator.
Coordinate with otolaryngology staff members and other members of the study team to recruit adults who use cochlear implants and those who do not use CI.
Schedule ongoing study visits, arrange for sending and retrieving follow-up study materials from participants, and coordinate scheduling of lab staff.
Describe study purpose and procedures to participants.
Facilitate completion of informed consents, visit procedures and paperwork associated with recruitment visits (e.g. payments, follow-up letters, travel arrangements, parking fees payments.)
Assist Principal Investigator (PI) in coordination of undergraduate research assistants.
Work with otolaryngology staff to ensure that all assessments on hearing, language and cognition have been collected. For missing assessments, the Research Assistant will perform the assessment or ensure that the data is collected.
Run EEG, PET (Positron Emission Tomography), and other experiments on participants (sometimes on weekends or evenings).
Read and understand protocols.
Arrange and plan daily activities to prepare for research protocols.
Set up and operate research materials or equipment.
Perform procedures assuring fidelity to protocols.
Recruit, consent and enroll research subjects; perform varied tasks in the research environment (lab, clinic, field, classroom).
Adhere to safety and compliance guidelines.
Collect, record and consolidate data as directed by the Principal Investigator.
Track progress of research activities.
Adhere to Quality Assurance protocols to maintain validity and integrity of research data.
As individual skills develop: troubleshoot, analyze and propose modifications to protocols; perform complex techniques per protocol; test and evaluate current procedures; develop and implement procedures for monitoring data integrity; pay present results at team meetings.
Help design and implement new experimental paradigms.
Collect and track, perform data entry for reports and maintain records of methods used.
Prepare materials for reports.
As skills develop, analyze data.
Prepare bibliographies and abstracts for publications.
May present results/finding at team and departmental meetings.
Assist with IRB, ACURF or similar protocol submissions, if applicable.
Track various indicators of project progress and summarize in reports to the research team.
Assist in documenting compliance with safety and regulatory guidelines.
Perform other administrative activities, such as organizing and maintaining files.
Assist in the preparation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory and facility equipment.
Assist with procurement of supplies and materials.
May initiate purchasing requests, monitor accounts/expenditures; reconcile statements.
Help maintain laboratory equipment and facilities.
Oversee the operation of EEG and audio equipment.
Oversee the operation of PET and audio equipment.
Maintain laboratory computers, equipment and facilities necessary in data collection.
Supervision, training, and coordination of undergraduate students will be required.
Assist in training new lab members on fidelity to research protocol.