Research Assistant Multi-Site Study Operations
Job Location:
North Chicago, IL - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Compensation: $23.08 per hour
Position Summary
The Human Performance Laboratory and CLEAR at RFUMS is seeking a full-time Research Assistant to serve as the primary study-operations RA for a Department of Defense-funded project to identify urinary proteomic biomarkers of bone adaptation and injury in military recruits. Under the direct supervision of Dr. Shawn Flanagan and in collaboration with the study team this position will support all aspects of the study.
The position is responsible for participant logistics field-based data collection biospecimen handling study documentation and data quality protocol and IRB compliance scheduling and equipment readiness across study sites. Local travel to field and partner locations is expected. Military and VA clearance are required for base and hospital access.Our generous benefits package includes medical dental and vision plans; paid parental leave; short term and long term disability plans; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; and a 403(b) retirement plan which includes a 8% employer contribution after 2 years of service. RFUMS is committed to employee wellbeing and work-life balance. Full time staff are eligible for 3 weeks of vacation/ personal leave 15 sick days and 9 paid holidays paid winter break plus two floating holidays.
Who We Are
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) located in North Chicago Illinois is a graduate health sciences university comprising six schools and colleges. The Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR) housed within the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine uses multidisciplinary approaches to improve lower-extremity health and function. CLEARs Human Performance Laboratory supports federally funded research in biomechanics injury prevention human performance neuroscience and physiology.
The project brings together RFUMS FHCC Naval Station Great Lakes and other clinical and research partners to identify and validate urinary biomarkers of healthy bone adaptation and bone stress injury in military recruits. Study visits integrate repeated urine collection high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) anthropometric measurements BSI risk factor assessments and longitudinal data tracking.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Coordinate participant logistics across study timepoints and sites including scheduling communication visit preparation and participant flow.
- Support IRB-approved recruitment study briefings consent screening and participant relations after completing required training and as delegated by authorized study personnel.
- Perform and document field-based data collection in accordance with the approved protocol and SOPs including urine biospecimen collection and handling anthropometric measurements BSI risk factor assessments and support for HR-pQCT and DXA imaging visits.
- Label aliquot store transport and track biospecimens; maintain chain-of-custody and required temperature and storage records according to study SOPs.
- Enter verify and track study data and source documentation across timepoints; perform data-quality checks and promptly resolve or escalate discrepancies.
- Maintain accurate participant regulatory equipment and study records; protect confidentiality and comply with IRB Department of Defense institutional data security and safety requirements.
- Prepare calibrate clean and maintain study equipment and supplies; document quality-control and maintenance activities and manage inventory control.
- Manage administrative logistical and scheduling needs across sites including testing-space preparation supply coordination biospecimen transport and shared study calendars.
- Complete required training and demonstrate proficiency before independently performing assigned procedures; participate in team meetings and ongoing SOP training.
- Support data and sample organization progress reporting and dissemination activities as assigned and within the scope of training.
Conditions of Employment
- Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check.
- Must obtain and maintain required human-subjects protection biospecimen-handling laboratory safety and site-access training or credentials.
- Must be willing and able to travel to partner and field sites and work a schedule that accommodates operational data-collection needs (likely to include early mornings and weekends).
Required Education & Experience
- Relevant education coursework training or experience in health science biological science physiology biochemistry kinesiology clinical research or a related field.
- Experience following detailed procedures and maintaining accurate complete records.
Required Knowledge Skills & Abilities
- Strong organization and attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple participants timepoints sites and priorities.
- Clear professional written and verbal communication and the ability to interact respectfully with research participants and partner-site personnel.
- Ability to follow approved protocols SOPs and safety requirements without unauthorized deviations and to report problems promptly.
- Ability to protect confidential information and accurately enter verify and organize research data and study documentation.
- Ability to work reliably both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary multi-site team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Masters in biological science kinesiology clinical research biochemistry or a related field.
- Experience with human-subjects recruitment or data collection in a clinical field or operational setting.
- Experience collecting aliquoting labeling storing or tracking biological specimens including chain-of-custody or cold-storage documentation.
- Experience with anthropometric measurements participant questionnaires or support for clinical imaging procedures such as HR-pQCT or DXA.
- Experience with electronic research databases source-document review or data quality control.
- Experience in military health musculoskeletal injury biomarker or multi-site research is desirable.
Typical Physical Demands & Working Conditions
- The selected candidate must be able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Fieldwork may involve standing walking repeated measurements and safely handling or transporting equipment supplies specimens and cold-storage materials.
EOE Including Disability / Vets
Required Experience:
Junior IC
About Company
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