Research Specialis I Geriatrics

Grade 45 | Full-Time/Regular

About the role

The New England Centenarian Study and Long Life Family Study, based at Boston University School of Medicine, seeks a Research Specialist (RS) to be responsible for collection and management of study participant data. This position will work both independently and as a member of a team to collect clinical data from study participants ages 18 to 110+ years during in-person home visits, telephone, and video visits.

The Research Specialist will receive standardized training in conducting and scoring the following measures and will work toward certification in these measures in order to perform them independently: neuropsychological assessment, Short Physical Performance Battery, vitals and anthropometry assessment, neuromotor exam, carotid ultrasound, blood sample processing, phlebotomy, and video visit administration and technical troubleshooting, as needed by the study.

The position is located in Boston, MA.

Responsibilities

• Obtain vital signs measures, conduct cognitive testing, perform carotid ultrasounds, administer physical function assessments, troubleshoot technology, and draw blood (if interested) or coordinate phlebotomy and stool collection with lab agencies.
• Score cognitive data and process digital cognitive and physical function data after each visit.
• Assist with periodic data quality control efforts, including reviewing flagged data to determine whether follow-up questions are required, correcting data entry errors, or validating atypical data values.
• Obtain annual follow-up data via mailed and telephone-administered questionnaires.
• Travel to participants' homes to conduct offsite examinations and coordinate travel logistics for multiple visits.
• Work one-on-one with participants without supervision to perform assessments and collect data, determining the best engagement methods to achieve maximal performance while ensuring safety and gauging participant stamina to decide when to terminate assessments.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 1–3 years of relevant experience.
• Previous phlebotomy experience is highly desirable; willingness to complete a phlebotomy course is acceptable.
• Spanish fluency is a plus.

Schedule

• Monday–Friday, typically 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, with variability to accommodate participant schedules.
• Occasional Saturdays required (3–4 in Spring and 3–4 in Fall).

Pay

Expected hiring range: $48,075.00 – $60,625.00. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training, and internal pay comparison.