Job Details

FLSA: Hourly

Job Summary: The Program Assistant will function as part of a lab/research team for a federally-funded (NIMH R01) research study. The Charleston Resiliency Monitoring (CHARM) study is a longitudinal, lab-based project centered on examining connections between stressful life experiences (e.g., trauma) and threat processing in the brain during childhood and adolescence. For this study, the Program Assistant will help with retention of youth and caregiver participants from the community, conduct phone interviews, schedule lab visits, and administer an intensive and rigorous experimental protocol during in person lab visits that includes an fMRI scan, EEG tasks, a stressor task, survey-based measures, and clinical interviews. In addition to the primary task of running the lab visits, the Program Assistant will be responsible for maintaining up-to-date IRB protocols, screening participants, scheduling appointments, interviewing participants, and data management.

The Program Assistant will use Microsoft Excel and statistical software packages (SPSS) for data management and online survey programs (RedCap) for data collection. Irregular work hours, including evenings and Saturdays most weeks, are required to accommodate study participants' schedules. Applicants with experience with conducting clinical assessments or administering lab-based protocols, particularly fMRI and EEG methods, are strongly preferred. Interest in research-oriented career is preferred.

Job Duties: 

• 35% - Attend and conduct lab-based visits and closely follow protocol that includes consenting participants, an fMRI scan, EEG tasks, a stressor task, survey-based measures, and clinical interviews [training will be provided for all tasks]. - (Essential)
• 25% - Assist in conducting phone screens and scheduling appointments for lab visits and meetings in the community, as well as phone-based assessments. Coordinate with other study personnel who will assist with scheduled appointments and assist with retention efforts. Manage/update participant contact logs. - (Essential)
• 15% - Assist in managing data entry and ensuring the completeness of data collection. Conduct reviews of study materials and ensure all necessary data is collected. Adhere to protocols for data entry and ensure all data is entered with high fidelity. Produce basic data reports as needed using Excel and statistical programs (SPSS) [training can be provided]. Modify online surveys/databases, as needed. Ensure study documents are complete, organized, and readily available for data entry and internal audits. - (Essential)
• 10% - Assist with recruitment of research participants on an on-going basis. This includes recruitment of youth and their caregivers/guardians. Recruitment methods include word-of-mouth, contacting local providers, advertisement in local publications and listservs, school-based recruitment, recruitment at community events, online advertising, posting flyers around campus, sending out mailers, etc. - (Essential)
• 5% - Assist in providing education, training, and supervision to personnel where necessary and appropriate. Create agendas for research team meetings and lead team meetings, as needed. - (Essential)
• 5% - Assist with submitting amendments, modifications for IRB applications and other regulatory documents as needed. Track approvals for projects. Ensure all personnel have proper certifications. Responsible for timely and accurate IRB applications, and responsiveness. - (Essential)
• 5% - Other related duties as assigned. - (Essential)

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements: A high school diploma and two years relevant program experience. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required program experience.

Preferred Experience & Additional Skills: A bachelor's degree and relevant research experience. Prefer candidates with NIH-funded grant experience. Must have training in conducting research with human subjects and administering psychological research assessments. Must have computer experience and working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel. Knowledge of SPSS and experience with data management are preferred. Knowledge of fMRI and EEG methodology and protocols are strongly preferred. Must have strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work comfortably with a range of cultural backgrounds. High attention to detail, dependability, and strong organizational skills are essential. Capacity to work in a fast-moving environment, adhering to rigor of protocols, while maintaining a positive and healthy attitude is required. Familiarity with clinical assessments and lab-based research protocols is preferred. Ability to work irregular hours, including evenings and Saturdays on most weeks, to meet the demands of the study is required.