Research Assistant

Job Description:Position Purpose:Our team at Brown University is seeking a motivated Research Assistant (RA) to contribute to our substance-use prevention and intervention research program. The RA will be a core research staff member supporting our interdisciplinary team of primary investigator(s), collaborators, and senior staff to conduct multiple research projects with diverse adolescent and adult participants who may engage in health-risk behaviors and with or without chronic health conditions. To be successful in this position, the RA must excel in both customer focus and attention to detail. The RA will represent our team to local partnering clinical sites and the community, requiring professionalism, personal responsibility, and care for the overall mission of our research program and respect for others. The RA’s role will involve both participant-facing and administrative tasks across the full lifecycle of each research project. Prior experience with research design and procedures is essential. Strong technical skills in behavioral assessment and biospecimen collection and processing required to work in a biobehavioral laboratory are preferred, through training in specific protocols will be provided. The RA’s activities are overseen by the primary investigator(s), trained healthcare professionals, and senior research staff, though independence is expected in terms of procedural knowledge and operations, including proactive anticipation of project needs and strong time-management and planning skills. The RA’s role may require working outside regular business hours to accommodate scheduling and using own transportation to travel to local recruitment and research sites. Optional career-path mentorship is available and professional development activities are supported and encouraged.Major responsibilities include:

Recruitment activities for diverse participants and sites. 20%

Research planning and implementation. 20%

Noninvasive biospecimen collection and biomedical assessments. 20%

Support adherence to project timelines and data integrity compliance. 20%

Administrative and financial tasks in support of research activities. 20%

Job Qualifications and CompetenciesEducation & Experience

Required: Baccalaureate degree, preferably in public health, psychology, biology, or related field, and 1-2 years of research experience or equivalent combination of other educational degree and experience.

Required: Proficiency in Microsoft Office software.

Coursework in research design, methods, or assessment is preferred.

Experience in database management and basic computing ability is preferred.

Clinical interviewing training or relevant work experience is preferred.

Preclinical or clinical research experience is preferred.

Fluency in Spanish or Spanish-language proficiency is preferred.

Compentencies

Commitment to supporting diverse perspectives and cultures in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Meticulous attention to detail.

Openness, agreeableness, and interest in learning new skills.

Accountability and receptiveness to performance feedback.

Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

Excellent organizational and time-management skills to manage multiple tasks and meet project goals.

Flexibility in work schedule, including early evening hours and occasional weekend hours.

Flexibility in work format, including traveling to partner sites and clinics, remote sessions, and contact through approved modalities outside of normal business hours.

Reliable transportation to travel to local clinical, community, and other partnering sites is required.

Ability to follow safety protocols for collecting, handling, storing, processing, and discarding potentially hazardous biospecimen, such as breath, urine, or blood samples.

Possess a willingness and ability to support and promote a diverse and inclusive campus community.

This is a fixed term position with an end date of 7/31/25 which may be extended based upon available funding.

This is onsite position

This position entails becoming a member of a multidisciplinary research team and sharing a commitment to accomplish the goals of the research program.

Flexibility is needed to shift work hours to accommodate schedules and preferred contact formats.

Opportunities to contribute to presentations and publications may arise, depending on interest and ability.

This position requires a commitment of at least one year, and availability for a renewed commitment based on mutual agreement is preferred.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a criminal background check and education verification that are satisfactory to Brown University.Benefits of Working at Brown:Information on the Benefits of Working at Brown can be found here (https://www.brown.edu/a-z/benefits-working-brown) . Recruiting Start Date:2024-07-30Job Posting Title:Research AssistantDepartment:Center for Alcohol & Addiction StudiesGrade:Grade 8Worker Type:EmployeeWorker Sub-Type:Fixed Term (Fixed Term)Time Type:Full timeScheduled Weekly Hours:37.5Position Work Location:OnsiteSubmission Guidelines:Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.Still Have Questions?If you have any questions you may contact [email protected] Statement:Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.As an EEO/AA employer (https://go.brown.edu/equal-employment-opportunity) , Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies.