Research Assistant 3 (One-Year Term)

Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 46,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Case Western Reserve University is conducting a 12-month, IRB-approved research study on patients with advanced cancer and caregivers at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. The Research Assistant 3 provides coordination, data collection, and data management under supervision.

The role requires a Bachelor's in science (Master's preferred), 3–5 years of research experience with human subjects, and the ability to supervise students and coordinate with clinicians and staff.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of research experience involving human participants.
• Bachelor's degree in science required; Master's degree preferred.
• Must be certified for the protection of human subjects within 30 days of hiring; valid driver's license required.
• Ability to interact with clinicians, participants and staff with strong communication.
• Proficiency with data analysis tools (Excel, SPSS, SAS).

Responsibilities

• Collect longitudinal study data through patient and caregiver interviews.
• Review electronic medical records for subject eligibility and scheduling.
• Coordinate data management, cleaning, and reporting to the PI.
• Monitor data collection milestones and ensure protocol compliance.
• Supervise students and research assistants as needed.
• Assist budget monitoring and record-keeping for gift cards.

Skills

Medical terminology

Data analysis

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Attendance reliability

Willingness to use AI tools

Equipment operation

Education

Bachelor's degree in science

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Excel

SPSS

SAS

Job description

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $46,035 and $58,234, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.
Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.
POSITION OBJECTIVE
Working under limited supervision, the Research Assistant 3 supports a large, IRB-approved research study focused on patients with advanced cancer and their informal caregivers conducted at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center and affiliated community location. This position is responsible for administering and coordinating study protocols, collecting longitudinal study data through direct interaction with patient and caregiver subjects, assure human subjects\' compliance, supervise students, and performing data cleaning protocols. This position supports a federally funded research study and directly contributes to the successful execution and oversight of accurate data collection and data management related to patients with advanced cancer and their informal caregivers. This is a 1-year term position.
Essential Functions

• Carry out complex research assignments of a non-routine nature. Plan (with limited oversight) research activities in accordance with established research and IRB-approved protocols to ensure accurate and timely data collection. Review electronic medical records to determine subject eligibility, subject clinical status, outpatient clinic scheduling, and conduct highly sensitive patient and caregiver interviews focused on end-of-life decision making. Data collection occurs at regular intervals over a 12-month period and requires ongoing monitoring of upcoming data collection milestones, ongoing assessment of subject eligibility, as well as ensuring reliability and functionality of all research equipment (iPads) used for data capture, under limited supervision. (30%)
• Work closely with the principal investigator to assist with complex data management, data cleaning, and data collection activities. Coordinate research activities related to chart abstraction and subject and caregiver interviews. (25%)
• Provide ongoing reports to the principal investigator regarding the status of all data management and cleaning activities. Using a high degree of skill and training, identify data entry and/or data management issues and devise new protocols and techniques, if needed, for data collection, entry, and management by employing new and innovative research techniques such as evaluating accuracy of data entry and inter-rater reliability. May co-author research projects. (10%)
• Evaluate adequacy of techniques; study and test new procedures and analyzes data. Analyze study data to assess accuracy of data input, identify outlier outputs, and use a high degree of skill and training to evaluate data processes that contribute to data entry errors or inconsistencies. (10%)
• Provide day-to-day direction, training and oversight to student employees and research assistants assigned to the study. May assist with onboarding, assigning work, monitoring performance and ensuring adherence to research protocols. (10%)
• May monitor the study budget and assist in budget-related activities. Will assist the project manager in monthly monitoring of the study budget and work with the principal investigator and project manager in budget reconciliation activities. Will also assist the project manager in maintaining all records related to distribution of gift cards given to study participants who participate in providing study data. (10%)
  

Nonessential Functions

• Must maintain required certifications for protection of human subjects. Complete yearly research credentialing (Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals). (2%)
• Oversee inventory which includes ensuring the availability and reliability of research data collection equipment by tracking, maintaining, and monitoring study-assigned iPads used for participant interviews, confirming equipment functionality prior to use and coordinating replacements or troubleshooting issues as needed to support accurate data collection. (2%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Continuous contact with principal investigator, co-investigators, project managers, research staff and other research team members to coordinate daily research operations, discuss participant recruitment and enrollment, review study progress, resolve operational issues, assign research activities, ensure protocol compliance and maintain workflow.
University: Occasional contact with Institutional Review Board (IRB), Office of Research Administration, School of Nursing faculty and Staff, School of Medicine departments and other university offices as needed to coordinate protocol approvals and amendments, regulatory compliance, study administration, training requirements and collaboration with university departments supporting the research study.
External: Continuous contact with University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center physicians, nurses, clinic staff, research participants, caregivers/family members and affiliated clinical partners to recruit and schedule participants, obtain informed consent, coordinate study visits, collect research data, communicate study requirements, answer participant questions and facilitate collaboration with clinical staff to support research activities.
Students: Regular contact with graduate research assistants, student employees, interns and trainees assigned to the research study to provide day-to-day direction, assign research activities, train students on study procedures and research protocols, monitor work assignments and provide guidance to ensure quality and compliance with study requirements.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

May supervise students and technicians.

Qualifications
Experience: 3 to 5 years of research-related experience involving human participants required.
Education/Licensing: Bachelor\'s degree in science required; Master\'s degree preferred. Must be certified for the protection of human subjects within 30 days of hiring. Valid driver\'s license is required.

Required Skills

• Has knowledge and understanding of commonly-used practices (medical terminology) within the field of medicine and/or nursing.
• Has knowledge and experience in basic data analysis and associated programs (e.g. excel, SPSS, or SAS).
• Utilizes pre-established study protocols and specific research instructions to perform the functions of the job.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, hospital staff, patients and their families face-to-face using excellent social and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Willingness to learn and work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
• Ability to operate the research equipment (use iPads, familiarity with REDCap and EPIC research and medical programs).
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

No exposure to hazardous materials. Must have reliable form of transportation for travel to study. Must be able to be on their feet walking several hours a day between various hospital sites. This position is not eligible for remote work. This position will require an on-campus presence. Must be available Monday through Friday generally from the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for participant data collection.
This is a Term position. They are treated like regular staff positions for medical and dental benefits eligibility, vacation, holidays, and sick time. Term employees are not eligible for life insurance, retirement, long term disability, short term disability, tuition assistance, layoff status, or severance pay. Staff in term positions are also subject to the performance management review process and positive corrective action when work performance or behavior is unsatisfactory or unacceptable. Term employment does not alter the employment-at-will employee status of these employees.
Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.
Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.