VCU's Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation and the Institute for Drug and Alcohol Studies (IDAS) is seeking candidates to apply for the Research Assistant position. IDAS is focused on multidisciplinary research and training on the neuroscience of addictions and related neurobehavioral disorders. The Research Assistant will be responsible for assisting technical and professional personnel in a research laboratory setting, specifically performing most components of data collection from human-subject volunteers required for biomedical behavioral research studies conducted at IDAS.

Typical Duties

Recruiting participants/research subjects, placing IRB approved materials and media advertisements, collecting and entering responses and information furnished by potential research volunteers contacting the lab by phone, web or other means.
Collecting informed consent from research volunteers, describing the study in simple language, and overseeing the signing of consent and assent forms.
Collecting biological data, including testing of urine drug samples using test kits and administration of breathalyzer assessment of alcohol intoxication.
Collecting psychometric data, including administering, collecting and scoring of paper-and-pencil or computer-driven questionnaires, as well as administering and recording of computer-driven cognitive performance tasks.
Transmitting and storing study data accurately and securely, including centralized databases or physically-secured case report forms for industry sponsored clinical trials.
Calculating subject compensation and coordinating busy study visits for subjects, including escorting research volunteers to and from different tasks and testing rooms and waiting rooms of the research facility.
Other duties assigned by supervisor or Principal Investigator.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a scientific field (e.g., Psychology, Neuroscience, medical, etc.)
Proficient in computer skills including word processing, data entry, spreadsheet, database management, and entry level statistical/programming skills.
Strong clinical skills, including fundamental clinical skills such as establishing rapport, maintaining participant motivation, empathic responding, ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, and ability to use clinical judgment in (rare) emergency situations.
Strong organizational skills, including understanding of HIPAA regulations.
Ability to organize meetings and present reports.
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

Writing experience with first author and/or co-author peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Knowledge of statistical analysis and software applications.
Experience recruiting, consenting, and carrying out study procedures with substance use disorder (SUD) treatment participants, including during pregnancy and postpartum.
Qualitative research experience, including data collection, coding, and analysis.
Ability to set up projects and surveys in REDCap, perform sample size calculations using GPower 3.1, analyze qualitative data (such as with ATLAS.ti.8) and quantitative statistical analysis (such as with SAS 9.4 and GraphPad Prism).
Experience in clinical trials, such as maintaining study records, documenting adverse events, and participant consent.
Experience with preparing and maintaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) and regulatory paperwork to comply with institutional regulatory requirements.
Experience in mentoring and training student research trainees, incorporating them into research teams.