Research Asst 2

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center:  Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Organization:

General Pediatrics

Job Summary:

JOB SUMMARY
Under moderate supervision, set up, conduct experiments, and continue research projects following protocols including the appropriate recording of data and reporting of standard or variant results. Assist in other laboratory and research functions.

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Data Collection and Participant Engagement

• Independently conducts high-quality qualitative and quantitative data collection activities across active studies.

• Leads participant recruitment, consent, and follow-up activities with minimal supervision.

• Builds rapport with participants to support retention, engagement, and completion of study visits.

• Ensures accurate and complete documentation of study activities in accordance with protocol requirements.

• Identifies and resolves routine participant and workflow challenges in real time.

 

Data Collection Team Leadership and Coordination

• Serves as a lead member of the data collection team, supporting day-to-day coordination of study activities.

• Assists with scheduling data collection activities and adjusting plans to meet enrollment and staffing needs.

• Provides guidance to other research assistants during data collection, helps with troubleshooting issues, and maintains consistency.

• Acts as a point of support for problem solving related to participant availability, protocol, coordination, and fieldwork challenges.

• Elevates issues appropriately while independently implementing practical solutions when possible.

 

Operational Ownership and Independent Study Support

• Demonstrates strong ownership of assigned study tasks, requiring less direct supervision than an entry-level research assistant.

• Anticipates study needs and proactively communicates potential challenges or solutions to the project team.

• Ensures readiness for data collection by confirming materials, schedules, and participant communication in advance.

• Supports smooth implementation of study protocols through reliability and consistent follow-through.

• Contributes to maintaining momentum during high-volume or time-sensitive data collection periods.

 

Quality Assurance and Protocol Adherence

• Maintains a high standard of data quality through careful review of collected data and documentation.

• Identifies missing or inconsistent data and takes corrective action or escalates concerns appropriately.

• Ensures adherence to IRB-approved protocols, consent procedures, and study guidelines.

• Models best practices in ethical research conduct and participant interaction for other team members.

 

Team Communication and Study Support

• Communicates clearly and effectively with supervisors and team members regarding study progress and challenges.

• Shares insights from fieldwork to support continuous improvement in recruitment and data collection strategies.

• Assists with onboarding or informal mentoring of newer research assistants as needed.

• Contributes to a collaborative team environment that supports efficient and high-quality research execution.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Our Academic Enterprise is one of the nation’s longest serving and most prestigious academic medical centers. Through its historic bond with Vanderbilt University and integral role in the School of Medicine, Vanderbilt Health cultivates distinguished research and educational programs to advance a clinical enterprise that provides compassionate and personalized care and support for millions of patients and family members each year.

World-leading academic departments and comprehensive ce