Research Assistant

160 Fifth Avenue
Full time
R0000823



POSITION SUMMARY

SPARK is a national research study supported by the Simons Foundation that aims to recruit, engage and retain a community of 50,000 individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their family members living in the U.S. Participation in SPARK will involve contribution of medical and behavioral information online, mailing in saliva for genetic analysis, the option to have genetic findings related to autism returned and consenting to be invited to participate in future research studies (research match). The SPARK community will provide researchers with an efficient way to invite individuals to participate in their research. One of the primary sources of recruitment for SPARK will be through a network of clinical sites located throughout the country. Reporting to the Senior Project Manager - SFARI Cohorts, the Research Assistant is responsible for supporting the management of research match for SPARK. Research match refers to facilitating the recruitment of existing SPARK participants into a new, approved research project, as well as processes that occur during and after the launch of that project (e.g., tracking consent rates, troubleshooting workflow issues). The Research Assistant will also be responsible for tasks related to data sharing, resource requests and general administration of the SFARI Collections and Operations teams for all cohorts.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the overall management of research match for SPARK and other SFARI cohorts
• Assist with defining, creating, organizing and updating policy and process documentation for research match, including sfari.org, SFARI Base and internal documents for staff.
• Communicate with researchers and lab staff regarding the research match policies and processes, new study applications/status, study-related milestones, timelines, etc.
• Organize research match applications, gather additional information as directed and create summary documentation for the recontacting review committee.
• Assist with review and organization of research match materials, including consent forms, recruitment emails, authorization forms and study announcements.
• Serve as a liaison between the Project Manager and SFARI request approval team, IT staff, contractors and approved research match researchers, as necessary.
• Facilitate communication between SFARI project managers at key points for smooth transition of research match projects, from application to launch to close.
• Implement and maintain a tracking system to monitor research match projects at all stages of the process
• Organize and monitor key timelines, milestones and deliverables for research match, to ensure that projects launch in an orderly manner.
• Contribute to research match data sharing, quality and release efforts, as directed.
• Schedule meetings (e.g., with internal staff, recontacting review committee, external researchers), send calendar invitations, organize agendas and take and distribute minutes from the meetings.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for inquiries which come into the Zendesk ticketing system and triage, escalate or follow up as needed to resolve all inquiries in a timely manner, with supervision from project coordinator and Project Manager as necessary.
• Review of compliance documentation for research projects and associated resource requests
• Provide administrative assistance to the SFARI Collections team, including creating agendas, taking minutes and support of overall team activity, such as resolving researcher account issues, facilitating request processing and monitoring progress.
• Provide administrative assistance to the SFARI Operations team, including creating agendas, taking minutes and support of overall team activity, such as creating/tracking tickets and timelines.
• Provide administrative assistance to the Compliance team, including monitoring quarterly submissions, maintaining and updating submission tracking documents, filing approved materials, and creating agendas/taking minutes for meetings
• Produce detailed progress reports, summaries and presentations, as directed.
• Participate in SFARI and SPARK team meetings, as appropriate.
• Aid other SPARK-related projects, as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor's degree

Experience

• Two years of experience in a related field
• Strongly preferred: experience with human participants research and/or Institutional Review Board procedures and ethics.
• Strongly preferred: experience with ticketing systems; receiving, resolving and/or triaging issues that are received.

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Sound judgment and discretion
• Excellent interpersonal skills with all levels of the organization and external communities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality
• Comfort working independently, but also works well in a collaborative team environment.
• Takes initiative; proactively manages timelines and action items to ensure timely attainment of goals.
• Strong administrative and organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to balance workload under deadlines and multiple commitments
• Strong computer skills, particularly with email, Excel and word-processing programs.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

• Please submit a resume and cover letter stating your interest in the position.

The Simons Foundation's Diversity Commitment

Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment. The Simons Foundation actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state and local law.
 

Apply Here: https://www.click2apply.net/ozegRyhPRLKgc6Z5imAQ1

PI139244703