Research Study Assistant (DevSci)

Department: Med-DevSci
Salary/Grade: NEX/9

Target hiring range for this position will be between be $17.05 to $21.31 per hour . Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary

The Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DevSci), directed by Dr. Laurie Wakschlag, conducts research at the intersection of clinical and developmental science that aims to characterize early developmental patterns marking emergent mental health and other neurodevelopmental risk as well as prenatal influences on these pathways, and application to prevention.

The Research Study Assistant (RA) will support the Northwestern site of the national HEALthy Brain & Child Development Study (HBCD) (PIs Elizabeth Norton & Laurie Wakschlag, Scientific Project Director Renee Edwards). The HBCD study aims to examine the impact of prenatal substance exposure and other prenatal adversities and protective factors on young children's brain and behavioral development. The RA will conduct child and family assessments, including behavioral and developmental standardized assessments of infants and toddlers, parent-child interaction protocols, and infant/child EEG. The RA will assist with toddler MRI scans to ensure the comfort and safety of families and may be trained in phlebotomy to assist with biospecimen collection. Administrative work, such as scheduling visits, updating data systems, and assisting with the development of protocols and procedures, will also be involved.

The RA position requires an enthusiastic and committed individual with a strong attention to detail and clear scientific thinking. The ideal candidate will be eager to learn new assessment techniques and implement them with fidelity while maintaining rapport with children and families. We are looking for an energetic, flexible, proactive, highly collaborative team player. Comfort interacting with children and families from diverse backgrounds is a must. Ability to learn multiple systems for collecting and tracking data is also required. There are opportunities to be involved in research presentations and publications and career development workshops. This is an ideal position for an individual considering future graduate study in areas such as psychology, neuroscience, social work, medicine, public health, or similar fields.

Availability for at least two years is strongly preferred. This position will mainly work in the research lab at 625 N Michigan Ave. Evening and weekend availability is required for research visits.

Performs biomedical &/or social-behavioral research by administering tests &/or questionnaires following protocols; collecting, compiling, tabulating &/or processing responses; gathering information; &/or assisting in the preparation of material for inclusion in reports. Completes all activities by strictly following Good Clinical Practices (GCP) & all relevant current local, state, & federal laws, regulations, guidance, policy & procedure developed by the NU Institutional Review Board (IRB), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), & the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH).

Specific Responsibilities:

Technical

• Recruits study participants.
• Reviews & obtains informed consent.
• Schedules study visits with participants.
• Conducts interviews.
• Scores test results.
• Collects survey data.
• Facilitates communication with key personnel & participants to maintain project study flow.

Administration

• Maintains detailed records of results which may include collecting, extracting & entering data; &/or preparing basic charts & graphs.

Supervision

• May train other research staff to interview/test participants.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• A bachelor's degree in social or health science + no experience or 2 years practical research study or related experience is required.
• Must complete NU's IRB CITI training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Infant and child experience, preferably in a research capacity
• Comfort with participant outreach
• Strong organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Certified phlebotomist or willingness to train to become a phlebotomist is preferred.
• Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
• Experience with human subject's research
• Prior research with or engagement of under-represented and or/high risk populations (e.g. substance use in the family context, children in under-resourced communities, children with developmental delays, prenatal or parenting women with mental illness)

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.