Research Study Assistant

Department: MED-Preventive Medicine
Salary/Grade: NEX/9

Job Summary

Performs biomedical &/or social-behavioral research by administering tests &/or questionnaires following protocols; collecting, compiling, tabulating &/or processing responses; gathering information; &/or assisting in the preparation of material for inclusion in reports. Completes all activities by strictly following Good Clinical Practices (GCP) & all relevant current local, state, & federal laws, regulations, guidance, policy & procedure developed by the NU Institutional Review Board (IRB), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), & the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH).

The STELLAR team develops and tests interventions to promote weight loss, multiple healthy diet and physical activity changes, and smoking cessation by utilizing health promotionists, wearable devices, and mobile smartphone applications. We aim to reduce risk factors for chronic disease by optimizing innovative technology-supported interventions to catalyze healthy behavior change. The Research Study Assistant will be trained and supervised to assist with conducting group, webinar, and telephone coaching sessions. Additionally, the Research Study Assistant will be trained to conduct outcomes assessments for behavioral interventions which includes anthropometric measurements and survey administration.

Specific Responsibilities:

Technical

• Recruits study participants.
• Reviews & obtains informed consent.
• Schedules study visits with participants.
• Conducts interviews.
• Scores test results.
• Collects survey data.
• Reviews medical records.
• Consults with nurses & physicians to determine pretreatment & eligibility requirements of protocol from completion to registration of participants.
• Facilitates communication with key personnel & participants to maintain project study flow.
• Assists with conducting group, webinar, and telephone coaching sessions.
• Assists with conducting physical measurements and outcome assessments with study participants.

Administration

• Maintains detailed records of results which may include collecting, extracting & entering data; &/or preparing basic charts & graphs.
• Performs scientific literature searches in support of research.
• Completes portions of grant applications &/or documents associated with current local, state, & federal regulatory guidelines, requirements, laws & research protocols.

Finance

• May process reimbursements for travel expenses.
• Monitors & distribute petty cash.
• Processes invoices &/or purchase requisitions.
• Coordinates fund distribution among multiple sponsors and clinical sites.

Supervision

• May train other research staff to interview/test participants.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in a major such as social or health science or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• Must complete NU's IRB CITI training before interacting with any participants & must re-certify every 3 years.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Experience with health coaching, health education, and/or motivational interviewing is a plus
• Bachelor's degree in a social science field.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Previous research experience is a plus

Target hiring range for this position will be between $17.05 to $21.31 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.