Research Asst 2

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated.

About the Role

Under moderate supervision, set up, conduct experiments, and continue research projects following protocols including the 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.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree
• Experience: 2 years of relevant work experience

Skills

• Supporting Colleagues:
  • Develops self and others by investing time and energy to improve performance and gain knowledge.
  • Builds and maintains relationships through regular contact with key colleagues and stakeholders.
  • Communicates effectively by adapting style to suit different situations and audiences.
• Delivering Excellent Services:
  • Serves others with compassion by understanding current and future needs of stakeholders.
  • Solves complex problems by approaching them from different angles and identifying new opportunities.
  • Offers meaningful advice and support to increase employees' effectiveness.
• Ensuring High Quality:
  • Performs excellent work by engaging in dialogue about quality and addressing issues promptly.
  • Ensures continuous improvement by looking beyond symptoms to uncover underlying causes.
  • Fulfills safety and regulatory requirements by understanding and performing routine safety checks.
• Managing Resources Effectively:
  • Demonstrates accountability by driving critical issues to closure.
  • Stewards organizational resources by applying understanding of departmental work.
  • Makes data-driven decisions by identifying and elevating opportunities.
• Fostering Innovation:
  • Generates new ideas by proactively identifying opportunities from multiple sources.
  • Applies technology by learning new tools and procedures to address challenges.
  • Adapts to change by viewing difficult situations as opportunities for improvement.

Benefits

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement, and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.