Research Assistant (Mandarin Bilingual) - Bay Area

Irvine Clinical Research; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full medical, dental, vision coverage

Life, AD&D, long-term disability

Paid time off: 3 weeks/year

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Oakland Clinical, part of the Irvine Clinical Research site network, is hiring a bilingual Mandarin Research Assistant to support clinical trial operations in the Bay Area. This on-site role focuses on prescreening, participant reception, and bilingual communication with Mandarin-speaking families.

You will assist with study visits, collect vital signs, support ECGs and cognitive testing logistics, translate consent materials, and ensure accurate data entry in our EDC systems.

Qualifications

• Bilingual proficiency in Mandarin and English required to explain trial concepts.
• Bachelor's degree in psychology, neuroscience, biology, public health, or related field.
• Clinical or research experience preferred; memory/neurology exposure a plus.
• Strong interpersonal and data accuracy skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct prescreening interviews in Mandarin and English to assess eligibility.
• Serve as bilingual point of contact for participants and families.
• Assist with visits: collect vitals, ECGs, cognitive testing logistics, and lab support.
• Translate study materials and support informed consent in Mandarin.
• Maintain source documentation and data entry into EDC; manage scheduling.
• Support community outreach to engage Mandarin-speaking populations.

Skills

Mandarin fluency

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree (psychology/ neuroscience/ biology/ public health)

Job description

Oakland Clinical is part of the Irvine Clinical Research site network, the largest of its kind on the West Coast. With 5 research centers in California, we are leaders in the search for new treatments in neurology, psychiatry, and obesity medicine. Our largest area of research is in Alzheimer's Disease prevention and treatment drug trials, and our doctors were the largest contributors in the world to the most recently FDA-approved medication in Alzheimer's Disease.

As our primary site in the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland Clinical is hiring a Bilingual Mandarin Research Assistant to support clinical trial operations and expand access to our Mandarin-speaking community. The Research Assistant serves as a crucial link between our clinical team and study participants, facilitating prescreening, study visit execution, participant reception, and bilingual translation.

Location Note: This position is initially based full-time at our Oakland clinic next to Alta Bates Summit. As our Bay Area presence grows, there may be an option for future transition to a planned South Bay location in San Jose.

Job Duties

• Bilingual Participant Prescreening & Engagement: Conduct initial prescreening interviews in Mandarin and English to evaluate participant eligibility against study protocols, explaining trial participation in clear, accessible terms.
• Participant Reception & Hospitality: Serve as the primary bilingual point of contact for incoming patients and study partners, providing a warm, reassuring environment and addressing cultural nuances to put families at ease.
• Study Visit Execution & Clinical Support: Assist Clinical Research Coordinators and Investigators with participant visits, including gathering vital signs, conducting ECGs, assisting with cognitive testing logistics, and supporting lab processing as trained.
• Bilingual Translation & Informed Consent Support: Assist with study communications, document translation, and consent discussions to ensure Mandarin-speaking participants and family partners fully understand trial procedures and requirements.
• Data Management & Operations: Maintain meticulous source documentation, execute prompt data entry into electronic data capture (EDC) systems, and manage participant scheduling.
• Community Outreach: Support site initiatives and community engagement within the local Mandarin-speaking population to build awareness for ongoing memory and neurology trials.

Job Requirements

• Language Fluency: Native or full professional fluency in spoken and written Mandarin and English. Ability to communicate medical and study concepts clearly in both languages.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in psychology, neuroscience, biology, public health, or a related scientific/healthcare discipline.
• Preferred Clinical Experience: Prior experience in a clinical setting, medical office, or research laboratory preferred. Experience working with older adults or individuals with memory concerns is a plus.
• Interpersonal & Cultural Competence: Strong empathy, professional demeanor, and exceptional communication skills suited for patient-facing interactions and family advocacy.
• Detail Oriented: High organizational skills with strict attention to protocol adherence, regulatory standards, and accurate data collection.

Location & Work Environment

On-site position based at our clinic next to Alta Bates Summit in Oakland (11th floor, transit accessible, multi-story parking garage, views of the bay). Potential future option for relocation to our planned San Jose location.

Schedule

Full-time, in-person schedule with no planned overnight or weekend hours.

Benefits

The company pays 100% of individual medical (Gold HMO), dental, and vision insurance premiums for eligible full-time employees. Basic life, AD&D, and long-term disability coverage are provided. Vacation (PTO) is accrued at a rate equivalent to 3 weeks per year, with separate paid sick leave.