Research Assistant (Mandarin Bilingual) - Bay Area

About the role

Oakland Clinical is part of the Irvine Clinical Research site network, the largest of its kind on the West Coast, with five research centers in California. The organization leads the search for new treatments in neurology, psychiatry, and obesity medicine, with a primary focus on Alzheimer’s Disease prevention and treatment drug trials. Oakland Clinical’s doctors were the largest contributors worldwide to the most recently FDA‑approved Alzheimer’s medication. As the primary site in the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland Clinical is hiring a Bilingual Mandarin Research Assistant to support clinical trial operations and expand access to the Mandarin‑speaking community. The Research Assistant serves as a crucial link between the clinical team and study participants, facilitating prescreening, study visit execution, participant reception, and bilingual translation. The position is initially based full‑time at the Oakland clinic next to Alta Bates Summit, with a potential future option to transition to a planned South Bay location in San Jose.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial prescreening interviews in Mandarin and English to evaluate participant eligibility against study protocols, explaining trial participation in clear, accessible terms.
• Serve as the primary bilingual point of contact for incoming patients and study partners, providing a warm, reassuring environment and addressing cultural nuances to put families at ease.
• Assist Clinical Research Coordinators and Investigators with participant visits, including gathering vital signs, conducting ECGs, assisting with cognitive testing logistics, and supporting lab processing as trained.
• Assist with study communications, document translation, and consent discussions to ensure Mandarin‑speaking participants and family partners fully understand trial procedures and requirements.
• Maintain meticulous source documentation, execute prompt data entry into electronic data capture (EDC) systems, and manage participant scheduling.
• Support site initiatives and community engagement within the local Mandarin‑speaking population to build awareness for ongoing memory and neurology trials.

Requirements

• Native or full professional fluency in spoken and written Mandarin and English.
• Ability to communicate medical and study concepts clearly in both languages.
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, biology, public health, or a related scientific/healthcare discipline.
• Prior experience in a clinical setting, medical office, or research laboratory preferred.
• Experience working with older adults or individuals with memory concerns is a plus.
• Strong empathy, professional demeanor, and exceptional communication skills suited for patient‑facing interactions and family advocacy.
• High organizational skills with strict attention to protocol adherence, regulatory standards, and accurate data collection.

Benefits

• The company pays 100% of individual medical (Gold HMO), dental, and vision insurance premiums for eligible full‑time employees.
• Basic life, AD&D, and long‑term disability coverage are provided.
• Vacation (PTO) is accrued at a rate equivalent to 3 weeks per year, with separate paid sick leave.

Schedule

Full-time, in-person schedule with no planned overnight or weekend hours.