Senior Research Technician

monell chemical senses center • Philadelphia, PA

26d • Onsite

About The Position

Monell Chemical Senses Center seeks a highly organized, participant-focused Senior Research Technician to support a longitudinal study examining changes in smell, taste, mouthfeel, appetite, and food-related behavior during GLP-1 medication use. The technician will take a hands-on role in recruitment, scheduling, participant testing, and bio sample collection and processing. Working under the multi-Principal Investigator (PI) team (Parma, Lim, Burger), the successful candidate will independently manage assigned study activities, communicate clearly with participants and collaborators, and maintain accurate, reproducible research records. The position will primarily support this observational clinical study focused on aspects of nutrition and sensory science, with contributions to other research activities as needed. Training will be provided in study-specific sensory methods, systems, and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in nutrition, chemistry, biology, psychology, neuroscience, or a related field and at least 2 years of experience in human-participant research or a clinical setting, including direct interaction with participants or patients.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate recruitment, scheduling, and repeated visits with minimal day-to-day prompting.
• Attention to detail in following protocols, documenting procedures, and maintaining data and specimen accuracy.
• Clear, courteous communication and sound judgment when handling sensitive information or escalating concerns.
• Ability to work independently within established procedures and collaboratively with a multi-investigator team.
• Availability for early-morning visits (e.g., fasting blood draws) and occasional evening or weekend hours to accommodate participant schedules.
• Willingness and ability to learn sensory testing, phlebotomy, bio sample processing, and study-specific electronic systems.

Nice To Haves

• Prior phlebotomy experience and relevant training or credentials.
• Experience with bio sample processing, cold-chain handling, specimen inventories, and shipment preparation.
• Experience with Epic SlicerDicer, electronic health records, Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap), or comparable research data systems.
• Experience in sensory science, nutrition, psychology, metabolic research, or longitudinal participant studies.

Responsibilities

• Recruitment and screening: Use institutionally approved tools, within authorized access and approved recruitment procedures, to identify potentially eligible participants. Collaborate with research teams on referrals, outreach, protocol-based screening, and enrollment; refer medical eligibility questions to designated clinical staff.
• Scheduling and retention: Coordinate baseline and follow-up visits, send reminders and preparation instructions, manage rescheduling, and track recruitment and visit completion. Maintain responsive, respectful communication that supports participant retention.
• Consent and documentation: Support informed-consent procedures and, when trained and formally delegated, obtain and document consent. Maintain screening, enrollment, visit, and study records in approved systems.
• Study visits: Prepare testing materials and administer standardized smell, taste, mouthfeel, appetite, and food-evaluation procedures according to study protocols. Record results accurately, monitor participant comfort, and promptly escalate concerns or protocol deviations.
• Bio sample collection: Collect blood samples according to approved protocols and demonstrated competency. Phlebotomy experience is preferred; candidates without this experience must complete required training and competency assessment before independently performing blood draws.
• Sample processing and shipment: Label, process, aliquot, store, and track samples; prepare shipments to designated laboratories; and maintain specimen inventories and processing records. Follow laboratory-specific handling, temperature, biosafety, and shipping requirements after appropriate training.
• Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) coordination: Arrange Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) appointments and coordinate participant preparation and timing with the responsible imaging team.
• Research quality and daily organization: Maintain supplies and testing readiness, follow standard operating procedures, enter and check data, protect participant confidentiality, and keep the Principal Investigator (PI) team informed of progress and emerging problems.

What This Job Offers

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