Ophthalmic Research Technician/Associate

About the role

We are seeking a motivated individual with experience in ophthalmic testing and/or clinical research to help us lead studies on myopia at NECO’s Children’s Vision Lab.

Responsibilities

• Perform or assist with ophthalmic and vision-related testing in children, including but not limited to:
• Conducting testing in pediatric participants following standardized study protocols.
• Operating ophthalmic instruments and research equipment after appropriate training.
• Performing refraction-related measurements, ocular biometry, and other vision assessments, as required by the study.
• Ensuring high-quality, repeatable measurements across study visits.
• Working effectively with children to obtain reliable data while maintaining participant comfort and cooperation.
• Preparing participants for testing and explaining procedures in an age-appropriate manner.
• Documenting testing outcomes accurately and promptly.
• Identifying and reporting testing issues, unreliable data, equipment problems, or protocol deviations to the study team.
• Support research data management and processing, including:
• Entering, checking, and organizing data. Reviewing datasets for completeness, accuracy, and consistency.
• Assisting with data formatting, and processing for analysis.
• Maintaining organized records of study visits, testing outcomes, and data files.
• Assisting with preparation of data summaries, tables, and figures as needed.
• Communicating with investigators and study staff regarding missing, questionable, or inconsistent data.
• Helping prepare materials for presentations, abstracts, reports, and manuscripts when appropriate.
• Affix with study operations, including:
• Scheduling or coordinating study visits as needed.
• Communicating professionally with children, parents, and study staff.
• Ensuring that participants complete testing in the appropriate order and within the expected timeframe.
• Supporting a child-friendly testing environment.
• Maintaining confidentiality of participant information.
• Following IRB-approved protocols and institutional research policies.
• Affixing with inventory, calibration, maintenance, and organization of study equipment and supplies.
• Recruitment activities, including organizing local school screenings and community outreach.

Requirements

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in a relevant, vision or ophthalmic, field.
• Previous experience in ophthalmic, optometric, or vision related testing.
• Experience working with pediatric patients or research participants.
• Ability to interact effectively and patiently with children.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow standardized protocols.
• Ability to collect accurate and reliable measurements, recognizing when data may be unreliable.
• Comfort learning new ophthalmic instruments and research procedures.
• Strong computer data entry skills, including Microsoft Excel. Experience with REDCap is a plus. Experience with statistical analyses is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple study-related tasks.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Previous experience in clinical research is recommended but not required.
• Previous experience in patient care or recruitment of research participants are a plus.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating with investigators and research staff.
• Commitment to maintaining participant confidentiality and following research compliance requirements.

Bilingual proficiency

Bilingual proficiency (English/Spanish or English/Mandarin) is preferred but not required.

Benefits

• 3 plan options for BCBS medical coverage (employer subsidized at 75% or greater)
• Mental Health and Wellness benefits
• BCBS Dental
• Discounted vision services
• 13 paid holidays and generous paid time off for sick, vacation, and personal days
• Employer-paid life insurance, and short-term and long-term disability
• Voluntary Insurance: life, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident
• Voluntary Benefits: employee discounts and pet insurance
• 9% employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan after 1 year of service with no vesting schedule or match requirement

Pay

The salary for this position is $70,000. This is a full-time position funded for a minimum of 1.5 years (funding is available for a minimum of 5 years).

Schedule

This position requires regular in person work, some early evenings and occasional Saturdays.