Research Assistant 2 (TFT 1.0 FTE)

Position Description

Position Title: Research Assistant II

Immediate Supervisor: Dr. Synthia Guimond

Research area: Schizophrenia, Youth at Risk, Cognitive Psychology, Cognitive Remediation Therapy, Social Cognition, Brain Imaging, fMRI, Virtual Reality

Clinical population: Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, Youth at Risk

Reporting Supervisor: Director, Clinical Research Administration, IMHR

Start date: June 2, 2025

Contract: Temporary, full-time (37.5/week), 1 year

Summary Of Responsibilities

The Research Assistant II (RA) provides specialized research support at various levels of independence, to the Researcher(s) and staff members associated with the research unit (including research associates, postdoctoral fellows, clinical scholars and research staff) and the Institute, enhancing the capacity of the Researcher(s) to pursue their research. The RAII will support various studies in the lab, including two clinical trials examining the efficacy of cognitive remediation and a neuroimaging study.

Major Responsibilities

1. Research project implementation (65%):
   
   • Abides by established IMHR policies, procedures and objectives, as well as quality assurance, safety, environmental and infection control requirements, for all aspects of laboratory operations.
   • Operates within established research protocol(s) and under specific instructions as to method, process and techniques to perform or assist with routine tests, experiments and/or procedures relevant to the study.
   • Ensures the smooth and efficient day-to-day operations of research and data collection activities.
   • Completes, maintains and ensures the organization of regulatory documentation as required, including research ethics and Health Canada applications, etc.
   • Establishes and coordinates logistical arrangements for research participants and recruitment activities, as appropriate to the study.
   • May plan, design, organize and maintain scoring procedures, electronic and paper information, computer databases and data collection strategies for new and ongoing research studies.
   • Liaises with research collaborators, research team members, prospective trainees, Research Ethics Board staff, IMHR grants and finance staff, study sponsors and/or regulatory bodies.
   • Recruits, screens, instructs and coordinates research participant activities, as appropriate to specific study objectives.
   • Prepares detailed notes of all interactions with participants and transfers data to appropriate system(s).
   • Collects, processes and coordinates data for research projects, including scanning at the brain imaging center.
   • Assists with monitoring the progress of research activities (including preparation of reports and audits) as required by investigators, administrators, funding agencies, regulatory bodies and/or internal quality assurance representatives.
   • Facilitates necessary data flow both internally and externally, and with collaborators from other sites.
   • Independently responds to research project specific correspondence, including telephone and email inquiries, as required.
   • Organizes and facilitates meetings, conferences and other events associated with research activities, as required.
2. Grant, Manuscript, Abstract, and Presentation Preparation (20%):
   
   • Organizes, edits and drafts correspondence to publishers, grantors, contractors and professional accreditation bodies.
   • May assist in quantitative/qualitative analysis of the data and interpretation of the results.
   • Assists in drafting grant applications, abstracts, manuscripts, journal presentations, journal articles, letters to the editor, reports and research protocols.
   • Ensures that the necessary agency or publisher specifications are met, that all necessary authorizations and signatures have been obtained and that strict deadlines are met.
   • Assists researchers with literature searches of various literature databases using established search criteria or by developing appropriate search criteria.
   • Assists researchers to ensure compliance with scientific review and research ethics processes, including completing relevant application forms and obtaining required signatures.
   • Maintains a database of bibliographic references using appropriate software.
3. Manages researchers' grant cost centres and coordinate financial activity (15%):
   
   • Records, monitors and signs for financial transactions, as authorized.
   • Liaises with financial staff at the IMHR, in regards but not limited to potential petty cash issues, petty cash replenishment, and bills.
   • Assists researcher(s) and staff members in developing budgets and budget justifications consistent with grantor/contractor eligibility requirements and IMHR policies; liaises with IMHR Administration as necessary.
4. Other:
   
   • Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree, preferably in Psychology, Neuroscience, or related discipline is preferred OR a combination of relevant education and experience.
• Previous experience in clinical research environment, including participant recruitment, is preferable.
• Bilingualism (French and English) is an asset.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Meticulous, detail-oriented, and highly organized.
• Highly motivated to work in a clinical-based research environment.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and on several projects concurrently.
• Ability to prioritize and delegate tasks when necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Self-directed and able to work independently with minimal supervision and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to follow data collection and management guidelines.
• Previous work experience with clinical populations is an asset.
• Accounting skills are an asset.
• Knowledge and experience using statistical software (knowledge of R is an asset).
• Knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office is required.
• Graphic design and figure preparation skills are an asset.
• Programming skills are an asset (R, bash, python or MATLAB).
• Ability to communicate and interact competently and professionally at all levels within a broad and complex clinical research environment.
• Ability to collect, validate, analyze, and perform quality control of research data.
• Knowledge of research principles, methodology and procedures.
• Strong working knowledge of ICH Good Clinical Practices and relevant regulations, legislation and guidelines applicable to the clinical research field.
• Knowledge of medical and research terminology.
• Ability to conduct internet and literature database searches.

Program Information

• All applicants must provide a recent CV and a cover letter (in one file) that clearly indicates that they meet the required qualifications.
• The onboarding process will include a police check and providing proof of immunizations.
• RA II position is funded by a CIHR grant.
• IMHR sincerely thanks all applicants for their interest in a career with us; however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.