Clinical Research Coordinator 1, Center for Neuromodulation Research

About the role

The Center for Neuromodulation Research (CNR) in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences seeks an experienced Clinical Research Assistant to lead day-to-day operations across a portfolio of clinical trials investigating non-invasive neuromodulation, including focused ultrasound (FUS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), as treatments for substance use disorders and behavioral addictions. Working under the guidance of the study investigators, the Research Assistant supports participant recruitment and screening, study visit procedures, specimen handling, and data collection and entry. The role includes regular off-site work at community addiction treatment centers, working directly with service users. This is an excellent position for someone early in their research career looking for growth to more senior clinical positions; alternatively, would suit candidates preparing for graduate, medical, or clinical training. We are looking less for a long résumé than for evidence of real commitment to research, a strong record of curiosity and follow-through, and an authentic desire to work with people affected by addiction and psychiatric illness. Comprehensive training will be provided in clinical research procedures, neuromodulation methods, and regulatory practice. Successful Research Assistants have opportunities to contribute to manuscripts and conference presentations.

Responsibilities

• Participant recruitment and screening and consent
  • Screen and identify eligible participants against protocol inclusion and exclusion criteria; maintain accurate screening logs.
  • Obtain and document informed consent under supervision and in accordance with IRB-approved procedures, once trained and delegated.
  • Support recruitment activities at partnering addiction treatment centers and community organizations, including off-site visits working directly with service users.
• Clinical study procedures
  • Perform vital signs, pregnancy testing, and other urine-based testing (e.g., toxicology screening) per protocol.
  • Collect, process, store, and ship study specimens according to protocol and laboratory procedures.
  • Administer study questionnaires, behavioral tasks, and assessments as trained and delegated.
  • Recognize and promptly report adverse events, participant concerns, and protocol deviations to the Coordinator or investigator.
• Study organization and documentation
  • Assist with ongoing study organization, including scheduling study visits, coordinating research visit logistics, maintaining accurate research study data, and assisting with the processing of participant study payments.
  • Assist in the preparation and maintenance of study documentation, including study visit schedules, study drug/device diaries, monitoring and training logs, equipment records, and study communications.
  • Learn to read and follow a clinical trial protocol exactly as it is written.
• Data
  • Collect and enter study data in a timely and accurate fashion, and maintain corresponding source documentation.
  • Support study database maintenance and data quality checks (REDCap or equivalent).
  • Assist with literature searches and reviews to support protocol development, manuscripts, and grant applications.
• Patient safety
  • Develop and demonstrate a clear understanding of the importance of participant safety in clinical research, and learn to identify the components of a clinical trial protocol that are employed to protect participants.
  • Adhere to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Human Subjects Protection, HIPAA, and all applicable federal, state, and University regulations.

Necessary Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a health, life sciences, psychology, neuroscience, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior research experience in a clinical research setting (may include undergraduate research assistantships, internships, or volunteer research roles).
• Highly personable, with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport and engage participants with warmth and without judgment.
• Demonstrated ability or clear aptitude for working with psychiatric and substance-using patient populations.
• Willingness and ability to complete Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and human subjects protection training (CITI) prior to study activities.
• Strong organizational skills, reliability, and attention to detail.
• A demonstrated commitment to research and a strong desire to learn: evidenced by academic record, research involvement, or relevant volunteer/clinical experience.
• Ability to accept direction, ask questions, and follow written procedures precisely.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to off-site partner locations in the local region.
• Legal right to work in the United States without visa sponsorship, now and in the future. The University will not sponsor visas for this position.

Desired Skills

• Experience with REDCap or comparable electronic data capture systems, and general comfort with research data infrastructure.
• Experience conducting literature reviews or supporting scientific writing.
• Prior exposure to substance use disorder, addiction, or psychiatric populations — clinical, research, harm-reduction, peer-support, or volunteer settings all count.
• Familiarity with neuromodulation (FUS, VNS, TMS) or neuroimaging research.
• Experience with vital signs, specimen handling, or point-of-care testing.
• Familiarity with statistical or coding software (JASP, SPSS, MATLAB, Python).

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's Degree Required or equivalent combination of experience, education and or certifications.
• Experience: None. Some experience in a healthcare setting and/or knowledge of medical terminology is preferred.

Physical demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings and programs.