UNIV - Research Program Assistant - Psychiatry: Addiction Sciences Division

Medical University of South Carolina • Charleston, SC

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The candidate will work on research studies, as well as substance use prevention education and outreach programming, within MUSC’s Youth Collaborative. This includes research studies that focus on understanding the effects of youth substance use (e.g., alcohol, cannabis, vaping) on the adolescent brain and body. These studies will involve recruitment of research participants, the collection of psychological and biological research data, data entry, and organizational tasks. The candidate will be directly involved in the collection of questionnaire, interview, laboratory, neuroimaging, and other research data related to ongoing and future research studies. The candidate will also help support the outreach and educational programming within MUSC’s Youth Collaborative. This position requires a dynamic individual with strong communication and organizational skills.

Requirements

• A high school diploma and three years of relevant program experience.
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends, as these are the times young adults are typically available to participate in the studies.
• Ability to perform job functions in an upright position.
• Ability to perform job functions in a seated position.
• Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile.
• Ability to work indoors.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders.
• Ability to reach in all directions.
• Possess good finger dexterity.
• Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions.
• Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes.
• Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand.
• Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance.
• Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception.
• Good peripheral vision capabilities.
• Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction.
• Ability to hear and/or understand whispered conversations at a distance of 3 feet.
• Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements.

Nice To Haves

• A bachelor’s degree in psychology, premed, neuroscience, biology, nursing, or other life sciences or health care field is preferred.
• Prior research experience in a lab.
• Knowledge of REDCap data entry, management, reporting tools.
• Experience interviewing research participants.
• Experience conducting structured clinical interviews.
• Experience with neuropsychological tests.
• Experience collecting biospecimens.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Experience working with adolescents and emerging young adults (ages 14-25).
• Excellent verbal communication and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail and the ability to work independently and assure accuracy.
• The ability to collect, organize, and analyze information in a clear and concise manner.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead research related activities, including study visits and intake assessments, performing diagnostic interviews, documenting participant assessment data, study recruitment activities, screening individuals, scheduling medical personnel for research study visits, collection and testing of biospecimens, preparing reagents and buffers, extracting genomic DNA from saliva samples, performing quality control checks on extracted DNA, assisting with shipment and submission of DNA samples, referring patients to community resources, assisting with neuroimaging protocols, troubleshooting issues during clinical sessions and MRI scanning, assisting with data transfer, and providing participant reminders.
• Promote, integrate, and support MUSC Youth Collaborative prevention and educational programs, including assisting with school engagement, community outreach, promotion, education initiatives, and recruitment for programs; identifying and soliciting feedback from stakeholders; scheduling and completing interviews; maintaining contact lists; and assisting in data collection and development of program evaluation surveys, curriculum surveys, and focus groups.
• Perform various lab support tasks to ensure compliance and lab organization, including preparing for and leading weekly research team meetings, assisting with regulatory documentation for submissions, managing participant payments, completing purchasing requests, maintaining research supplies, monitoring and arranging for calibration of laboratory equipment, assisting with team email oversight, answering questions via phone and email, and managing multiple calendars for scheduling.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED