Research Project Assistant

UPMC•Pittsburgh, PA

7h•Onsite

About The Position

The Sleep, Affective Neuroscience, and Development Lab (SAND Lab) at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, led by Dr. Adriane Soehner, is seeking a full-time Research Project Assistant. The lab studies how sleep-circadian processes affect brain maturation and mental health risk over adolescent development. This position is for two NIH-funded projects focused on age-related changes in sleep and mental health in young people. The Research Project Assistant will supervise junior staff, recruit and screen participants, conduct various assessments (clinical, neurobehavioral, sleep/circadian), manage participant engagement, and assist with data processing. This role involves close collaboration with a lab coordinator, other research staff, the data manager, and staff from the Sleep and Behavioral Neuroscience Center. This position is grant funded.

Requirements

Bachelors degree required preferably in Psychology, Neuroscience, Sociology, or related research field.
Minimum of two years of work experience in a research project and/or related clinical setting is required.
Familiarity with computers and common software packages required.
Complete and pass on-line ethics and research practice training modules as required by the University of Pittsburgh and the National Institutes of Health.
Completes other trainings as required by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Perform in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.
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Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of research methodology strongly preferred.
Prior supervisory and/or project management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Train and support Research Specialists on the team
Recruit, screen, schedule, and compensate adolescent and young adult participants
Conduct standardized study assessments involving screening interviews, questionnaires, sleep-circadian measures, and computer tasks.
Conduct follow-up visits and maintain participant engagement
Able to maintain a flexible schedule including evening and weekend hours to accommodate participant assessments.
Assist with data-related duties (data entry, quality control, processing, management) in collaboration with a data manager and systems analyst.
Ensure accurate, efficient, and complete data collection and study documentation.
Assist, as needed, with project administrative tasks.
Provide supervision and oversight to undergraduate directed research students working on the protocol.
Demonstrate respect and sensitivity to study participants. Interact skillfully with adolescent, young adult, and clinical populations.
Handle sensitive clinical and research data in compliance with University, State, and federal requirements.