Research Asst 2

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) operates at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care. VUMC is a community where expertise is valued, knowledge is expanded, and abilities are challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and uniqueness is celebrated.

About the Role

Under moderate supervision, set up, conduct experiments, and continue research projects following protocols, including appropriate recording of data and reporting of standard or variant results. Assist in other laboratory and research functions.

Responsibilities

• Data Collection and Participant Engagement
  • Independently conducts high-quality qualitative and quantitative data collection activities across active studies.
  • Leads participant recruitment, consent, and follow-up activities with minimal supervision.
  • Builds rapport with participants to support retention, engagement, and completion of study visits.
  • Ensures accurate and complete documentation of study activities in accordance with protocol requirements.
  • Identifies and resolves routine participant and workflow challenges in real time.
• Data Collection Team Leadership and Coordination
  • Serves as a lead member of the data collection team, supporting day-to-day coordination of study activities.
  • Assists with scheduling data collection activities and adjusting plans to meet enrollment and staffing needs.
  • Provides guidance to other research assistants during data collection, helps with troubleshooting issues, and maintains consistency.
  • Acts as a point of support for problem solving related to participant availability, protocol, coordination, and fieldwork challenges.
  • Elevates issues appropriately while independently implementing practical solutions when possible.
• Operational Ownership and Independent Study Support
  • Demonstrates strong ownership of assigned study tasks, requiring less direct supervision than an entry-level research assistant.
  • Anticipates study needs and proactively communicates potential challenges or solutions to the project team.
  • Ensures readiness for data collection by confirming materials, schedules, and participant communication in advance.
  • Supports smooth implementation of study protocols through reliability and consistent follow-through.
  • Contributes to maintaining momentum during high-volume or time-sensitive data collection periods.
• Quality Assurance and Protocol Adherence
  • Maintains a high standard of data quality through careful review of collected data and documentation.
  • Identifies missing or inconsistent data and takes corrective action or escalates concerns appropriately.
  • Ensures adherence to IRB-approved protocols, consent procedures, and study guidelines.
  • Models best practices in ethical research conduct and participant interaction for other team members.
• Team Communication and Study Support
  • Communicates clearly and effectively with supervisors and team members regarding study progress and challenges.
  • Shares insights from fieldwork to support continuous improvement in recruitment and data collection strategies.
  • Assists with onboarding or informal mentoring of newer research assistants as needed.
  • Contributes to a collaborative team environment that supports efficient and high-quality research execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• 2 years of relevant work experience.

Benefits

This role offers a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement, and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.