Senior Research Assistant

Job Description:

The position is for a Senior Research Assistant (SRA) to work on a study of retinal biomarkers in healthy aging and Alzheimer’s disease – the Atlas of Retinal Imaging in Alzheimer’s Study (ARIAS). The SRA’s responsibilities include coordination and management of all day-to-day aspects of the study. Procedures will include consenting participants, administration of structured cognitive assessments, download and uploading of imaging data, retinal imaging acquisition, acquisition of biologic samples, and communication with potential study participants. Additionally, this position will recruit and screen potential research participants in a timely fashion to meet enrollment deadlines, and schedule and oversee participant study visits, including brain imaging visits. The candidate will continuously evaluate participant progress in the study and alert appropriate members of the research team to any abnormalities or problems associated with the patient’s response to research protocols. The SRA will oversee and delegate study tasks to the Research Assistant and student interns, including managing records and organizing and entering data for all aspects of the study, such as cognitive testing, retinal imaging, medical history and clinical interview data, and preparation and labeling of study materials. Responsibilities also include IRB document preparation, data management, and other research tasks assigned by study personnel. The SRA is expected to work with older adult participants and their study partners, as well as with all study personnel (e.g., imaging contractors) and related professionals as needed to advance the scientific aims and project related goals of the Memory and Aging Program at Butler Hospital.

This is a fixed term position with a current end date of 06/30/2027 which may be extended based upon available funding.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Required: BS or BA in Psychology, Biology, Neuroscience, or closely related field and 3-5 years’ research experience and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Preferred: Previous experience working with patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

• Preferred: Knowledge of experimental research methodology and knowledge of clinical research procedures.

• Preferred: Experience with computer applications, included word processing and Excel.

• Preferred: Previous experience with statistical software (e.g., SPSS, SAS), Python, MatLab, and RedCap database management preferred.

• Preferred: Previous experience with administering cognitive assessment is a plus.

Job Competencies

• Flexibility in scheduling is also required (e.g., willingness to occasionally work week nights and weekends to accommodate participant schedules) and must provide their own transportation between research sites.

• This position requires excellent time management and multi-tasking skills.

• Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal, organizational, computer, and communication (verbal and written) skills as well as good attention to detail, flexibility and ability to work well with team members.

• Familiarity with Retinal Imaging software and equipment required.

• Ability to navigate Windows and Apple environments, as well as iPads, tablets for data collection and review.

• Familiarity with RedCap, Python, MatLab computer programming required.

• Prior experience or willing to train on the use of retinal imaging software and equipment.

• Possesses a willingness and ability to support a diverse and inclusive campus community.

• The candidate is expected to attend regular supervision meetings with the PI and study personnel.

• Due to the nature of the study, flexibility in scheduling is also required (e.g., willingness to occasionally work week nights and weekends to accommodate participant schedules) and the RC must provide their own transportation between research sites.

Criminal and education background check required.

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Information on the Benefits of Working at Brown can be found