Research Support

The Clinical Addictions Research Laboratory (CARL) was incepted in 1997 under the direction of Andrea King, PhD., Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Chicago. The overarching mission of CARL is two-folded: 1) To determine factors that lead to excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances, 2) To develop more effective interventions in the treatment of substance use disorders.

The research assistant will be directly involved in a variety of studies, including but not limited to, a new project enrolling 18-19 year olds who will complete smartphone assessments during alcohol and non-alcohol drinking episodes and engage in two or more years of follow-up. The assistant may also support ongoing research in smoking cessation.

The research assistant will lead recruitment efforts, conduct screening interviews and study orientation sessions, and collect data during study visits and follow-up interviews. Other important duties include assisting with database management, providing administrative and infrastructure support in literature reviews, conducting equipment calibration and maintenance, and organizing and filing records and study materials. Highly preferred skills for this position include digital literacy, social media management and marketing, database organization, and oral and written communication skills. Prior experience in human subjects testing, database and graphical packages, and statistics are desired.

Past research assistants have been accepted to strong PhD programs in clinical and experimental psychology, epidemiology, and medical school.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for all aspects of research projects, including study recruitment and retention, participant screening and enrollment, data entry and database management, and study-related communications among key personnel and participants.
• Facilitate and monitor data collection - including obtaining subjective, objective (e.g. vital sign readings, etc.), biological (e.g. urine, blood, saliva, etc.), and performance (e.g. fine motor tasks, neurocognitive tasks, eye movement tasks, etc.) measures.
• Provide administrative support (i.e. petty cash distribution, equipment inventory and maintenance, scientific literature reviews, etc.) and maintain detailed records of study and lab standard operating procedures.
• Assist in data analysis and development of tables, graphs, and charts in preparation for reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
• Follow all relevant current local, state, & federal laws, regulations, guidance, policy & procedure developed by the University of Chicago Institutional Review Board (IRB), Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), & the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH).
• Conducts screenings and participant interviews as needed; ensures database management, entry and verification of measures not obtained by computer; and supervises and schedules sessions. Performs clinical interviews as needed, and assists the lab manager on regulatory paperwork, as well as scheduling and management of all disbursements and receipts.
• Manages study supply inventory and ordering.
• Creates subject mailings for materials related to their participation in the trial, including study medications and saliva drug screens.
• Complies with institution, state and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Provides routine or standardized laboratory duties by collecting data in support of research projects under direct supervision.
• Collects and enters data. Assists in analysis of data and with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline., * Working in a complex academic medical center.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in MS Excel and electronic data capture (Redcap).
• Experience in coding and statistical programs (R, Python, Java, SPSS, STATA, etc.).
• Interviewing and conducting experimental sessions in behavioral research.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent professional and written communication skills.
• Familiar with research studies.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Working Conditions

• Work independently.