Research Assistant

A full-time research assistant is being sought to support multiple NIH-funded projects in the labs of Dr. Pearl Chiu (lab information) , Dr. Brooks Casas (lab information) and Dr. Read Montague at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion in Roanoke, Virginia. This position is based in Phoenix, Arizona, supporting activities at our collaborative research sites.

Research assistants are an essential part of the scientific team and play a lead role in enrolling research participants, recording and managing study data, and maintaining positive communication with research participants. The successful team member will be highly detail-oriented, organized, and skilled with monitoring and adjusting priorities, problem solving, and generally ensuring the day-to-day implementation of the research studies. Data collection involves various modalities: behavioral tasks, use of electrochemical recording equipment, clinical assessments and/or interviews. Training and supervision will be provided for all aspects of the position.

The research assistant will interact with clinical research participant populations prior to experiments (for example, informing them about the proposed experiment and obtaining informed consent); conducting study procedures in a clinical setting (such as an operating room or recovery suite during their stay in the hospital); interacting with the subjects after the experimental protocol (for example, paying them for their participation, and obtaining further behavioral or biological sample data); keeping careful records of the interaction with participant; adhering to Research Center and Hospital procedures including personal protective equipment protocols, performing other tasks related to the successful completion of research protocols and the effective operation of the scanners and research center.