Clinical Research Assistant

University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 26,821 - 27,552; Part time

Job summary

A prominent academic institution in Philadelphia is seeking a Clinical Research Assistant to support behavior and neuroimaging studies in psychiatry. The role involves participant recruitment, data acquisition, and regulatory compliance. Candidates should have a background in neuroscience or psychology and possess strong communication skills. The position offers a pay range of $19.47 to $20.00 per hour and aims to aid women affected by psychiatric symptoms.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills and passion for science.
• Knowledge of IRB and human research protection regulations.
• Ability to analyze clinical data.

Responsibilities

• Recruit participants and obtain written informed consent.
• Assist with acquisition of behavioral assessments and multimodal MRI data.
• Administer cognitive and clinical symptom evaluations.
• Maintain regulatory documents and ensure compliance.
• Analyze clinical data and contribute to publications.

Skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Technical skills in Unix/Linux, Python, and/or R

Excellent organizational skills

Empathy towards patients

Education

High school diploma or GE/AA with 1-2 years of experience, or a BA/BS in neuroscience, psychology, or related field

Job description

Job Title

Clinical Research Assistant – Shanmugan Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania

Lab Overview

The Shanmugan Laboratory studies neuroendocrinologic mechanisms underlying psychiatric risk and resilience, focusing on reproductive timepoints. The Clinical Research Assistant supports behavioral and multimodal neuroimaging studies, including perinatal depression markers.

Responsibilities

• Recruit participants and obtain written informed consent.
• Assist with acquisition of behavioral assessments and multimodal MRI data.
• Administer cognitive and clinical symptom evaluations to healthy women and patients with psychiatric disorders.
• Maintain regulatory documents and ensure compliance with IRB and human research protection regulations.
• Analyze clinical data and contribute to manuscript preparation, poster presentations, and funding reports.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GE/AA and 1–2 years of related experience, or a BA/BS (preferred) in neuroscience, psychology, or a related field.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; passion for science and working with women affected by psychiatric symptoms.
• Knowledge of IRB and human research protection regulations.
• Technical skills: familiarity with Unix/Linux, proficiency in Python and/or R is a major asset.
• Excellent organizational skills, motivation, and empathy.

Working Conditions

Office, library, and computer room. Requires extensive safety training.

Physical Effort

Sitting at a desk; occasional lifting ≤ 25 lb.

Job Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pay Range

$19.47 – $20.00 hourly

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.