Research Assistant 1

About the Role

The Research Assistant will support the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study at the Yale site. The ABCD Study focuses on a cohort of over 10,000 participants who were 9 to 10 years old at baseline and are currently being followed for 10 years. Youths and their families provide rich details about their environmental experiences and undergo extensive phenotypic, cognitive, genetic, emotional, health, and neuroimaging assessments. The ABCD Study site at Yale University is located within the Department of Psychology and works with over 600 families per year. The Research Assistant will support the project in multiple ways, including overseeing day-to-day operations, interacting with families, collecting data, and ensuring adherence to ABCD standard operating procedures. The incumbent must be able to accommodate a flexible work schedule to include weekends and evenings and must be able to work in New Haven, CT.

Key Responsibilities

• Researches and collects data through site or home visit intakes; library research; structured interviews; or other means for designated research assignments.
• Records and compiles information related to research data. Codes data accordingly to research specifications. Uses a computer terminal to input and retrieve data and to generate reports.
• Processes and summarizes data using scientific or statistical techniques. Assists in data interpretation and analyses. Reports on status of research activities.
• Recruits study participants and ensures that subject recruitment and follow-up are completed per protocol procedures.
• Orders and maintains inventory of supplies.
• May assist in designing, developing, and modifying research experiments, procedures, or survey instruments.
• May assist research and support staff.
• Performs additional functions incidental to research activities.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Clinical or Research Environment Experience: Ability to work well in clinical or research settings with a working knowledge of health-related terminology and prior experience supporting research studies. Experience scheduling and coordinating research activities.
• Data Management: Proficiency in data entry, data management, and basic analysis using tools such as Excel, R, Python, or REDCap.
• Interpersonal Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact professionally with research participants, team members, and study staff.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and consistently meet deadlines.
• Technological Proficiency: Proficiency with common research analytic software and lab equipment, including but not limited to MS Office applications, data-entry systems, and virtual meeting platforms.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field such as psychology or neuroscience. Advanced degrees or coursework in related fields are preferred.
• Research Experience: Previous experience in research settings, particularly involving neuroimaging, clinical trials, psychiatric evaluations, or mental health or substance use disorders. Familiarity with data collection software and statistical analysis tools. Experience administering structured interviews is preferred. Experience overseeing or instructing research and support staff on technical procedures, equipment operation, and laboratory maintenance is preferred.
• Certifications: Relevant certifications or training in clinical research, HIPAA compliance, or MRI operation.
• Language Skills: Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is advantageous.

Work Schedule & Location

• Flexible work schedule to include weekends and evenings.
• Must be able to work in New Haven, CT.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level, and high school level education; OR
• Four years of related work experience and an Associate's degree; OR
• Little or no work experience and a Bachelor's degree in a related field; OR
• An equivalent combination of experience and education.