Term Research Assistant

Position Summary :

The Term Research Assistant is a part of the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor who will provide scientific support to leadership and is responsible for developing, maintaining, executing, and disseminating findings from research studies and projects. This position will participate in a wide range of activities such as analyzing existing qualitive or quantitative data for publications and presentations; helping develop and/or maintain partnerships; supporting and preparing grants proposals, preparing, and presenting abstracts and presentations for professional meetings and conferences. Reporting directly to a Junior Faculty member of the lab and indirectly with the lab PI.

About the Work Unit :

The internationally renowned Department of Psychology houses several award-winning professors who are distinguished scholars in their respective fields and who are dedicated to providing world-class education and training to our undergraduate and graduate students. While our course curriculum encompasses all the sub-disciplines of Psychology, the research of our faculty centers around three major areas: Clinical Science, Cognition and Cognitive Neurosciences, and Neuroscience.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Coordinates research procedures.
• Drafts and aids in the development of project materials and protocols.
• Engages in communication regarding projects, including providing study information, answering questions, scheduling appointments, and following up to collect study-related information.
• Conducts interviews, focus group discussions, and project process evaluations.
• Prepares, submits, and monitors institutional review board materials.
• Collects, organizes and evaluates study data.
• Conducts data entry, maintenance, organization and storage of data within research platforms and project files.
• Updates and organizes study-related forms.
• Prepares materials for presentations, publications and proposals.
• Conducts literature reviews.
• Participates in writing sections for scientific manuscripts and grant proposals.
• Develops study related documents (consent forms, fliers, questionnaires, etc.) to ensure that they are culturally sensitive and written with an appropriate level of health literacy.
• Keep abreast of trends.
• Read professional journals and attend meetings and./or seminars.
• Participates in and maintains certifications required by Vanderbilt, the department and funding sponsors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships :

This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively to the Junior Faculty member and functionally to the PI.

Education and Certifications:

A Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution of higher education is required.

Master’s degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Social Work or other relevant field from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.

Experience and Skills :

• 1 year of related research experience is preferred.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills with close attention to detail.

• Ability to interact in an effective, positive and appropriate manner with diverse populations.

• Committed to maintaining confidentiality of records and information and an excellent understanding of the compliance obligations associated with IRB/HIPPA.

• Experience with qualitive analysis software and/or quantitative analysis software preferred.

Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit:

Analytical and Detail Oriented

Autonomous

Creative Thinking

Honest and Transparent

Resilient