Research Assistant

General Notes

Fluency in Spanish required. This position is a fixed one-year term renewable based on performance, business need and available funding.

Under the supervision of the study coordinator, the Research Assistant supports faculty members in the Departments of Population Health in conducting research related to asthma, allergies, COPD, and environmental health.

Purpose

The Research Assistant supports the research team by recruiting, collecting and organizing data, and maintaining accurate records. Key responsibilities include recruitment, data collection, specimen processing, quality control, and assisting in the preparation of research reports. At the direction of the research coordinator, provide day-to-day project assistance to the study team. This position is integral to ensuring the integrity and quality of research projects.

Responsibilities

Recruitment and Primary Contact for Study Participants

• Reviews health information from participants’ electronic health records to screen for eligibility.

• Screens and recruits study participants

• Conducts informed consent process with eligible research participants

• Schedules and confirms all study visits with participants

Data Collection and Quality Control

• Conducts home study visits, participant interviews, and measurements.

• Collect clinical data and samples, including lung function tests, lung inflammation tests, blood samples, allergy tests, nasal samples, and measurements of height and weight.

• Performs home visits to collect environmental samples, such as vacuumed dust and airborne dust

• Reviews data using software including RedCap, Excel, project specific websites, and other software and databases to enter data and track study activities.

• Follows established protocols and guidelines

• Maintains study databases and ensures data integrity and accuracy.

Study Materials and Protocol Compliance

• Develops and provides, with supervision from research coordinator, participant education material, notifications to participants, and standard operating procedures.

• Monitors compliance with safety and ethical standards.

• Prepares and tracks participant sample results and notifications.

• Assist in designing manuals for research studies.

• Tracks study participation and retention over time.

Administrative Support

• Prepares weekly activity report for team meetings.

• Manages research-related correspondence.

• Assist in orders supplies and maintaining inventories.

• Monitors website inquiries and resolves issues.

Marginal or Periodic Functions:

Equipment Maintenance

• Calibrates and maintains laboratory equipment.

• Troubleshoots technical issues as needed.

Training

• Assists in providing guidance to undergraduate students or interns.

• Assists in training new research staff.

• Performs related duties as required.

Other Job Duties may apply as assigned

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Demonstrated organizational skills.

• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to discuss personal topics with research participants in a compassionate, sensitive manner with an understanding of the ethical as well as HIPAA requirements.

• Demonstrated detail orientation, ability to follow-through, and strong problem-solving skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word and willingness to learn other technologies as necessary.

• Ability to work independently and on a team.

• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills with an approachable and engaging demeanor.

• Effectively builds rapport and communicates with broad populations in one-on-one research settings.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree. Fluent in Spanish. Experience working in a medical or scientific research setting, or comparable health-or social services-oriented organization. Access to a car for traveling to locations on/off campus including participant homes and partner organization health clinics. Finalist is required to complete Ascension Seton Research Affiliate application and UT Health Worklife Screening process, part of this involves proof of and/or completion of immunizations for our affiliates approval. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Phlebotomy. Certification from the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) or Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA).

Salary Range

$38,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions

• May work around biohazards

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

• Climbing of stairs

• Field work as necessary

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.