Community-Based Research Assistant

Community-Based Research Assistant

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (On-Site and Remote mix) Location: Durham, NC, US

School of Medicine: Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

About the Bellwether Collaborative for Health Justice: As part of the Duke University Department of Population Health Sciences, it is the mission of the Bellwether Collaborative for Health Justice to shine a light on how the criminal legal system acts as a structural determinant of health and impacts population and individual level health outcomes. We are an interdisciplinary research team, led by Dr. Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein. Our work draws on the expertise of criminal legal system-involved persons and carceral and community stakeholders to inform innovative research that has practice and policy implications.

About the Research: We are seeking two Senior Clinical Research Specialists, who will support two projects (CROSSROADS and STEPS) that aim to reduce negative health outcomes of substance use. The CROSSROADS study is designed to compare the community paramedic standard of care to an intervention that leverages Medical-Legal Partnerships. The STEPS Study aims to address this gap by evaluating a novel individually tailored behavioral therapy for PWUD with recent history of incarceration.

Minimum Requirements: An Associate's degree is required. Work requires a minimum of one year of research experience. Special Skills: Previous experience supporting the work of multi-site or complex research studies; Experience or expressed interest in working with individuals impacted by the criminal legal system; Interest and experience in scholarly writing.

About the Position: Research Operations: Establishing Agreements: The hired candidates will recognize when agreements are required for their project (examples: independent contractor agreements, data use agreements, sub-award contracts, etc.) and offer support to establish agreements, as needed. Regulatory Knowledge: The hired candidates will have a working knowledge of regulatory and institutional policies (examples: IRB submission, required enrollment reporting, etc.). With supervision, they will contribute to the submission of IRB protocols or other regulatory documentation. Regulatory Oversight: The hired candidates will support the research team in preparing for study monitoring and audit visits. With supervision, they will work with the study team to address and correct any concerns identified by reviewers. Participant-Level Documentation: The hired candidates will be responsible for following protocols related to maintaining participant-level documentation, tracking study enrollment and retention. Screening and Enrollment: The hired candidates will be responsible for screening participants for eligibility and enrollment. Participant Study Visits: The hired candidates will be responsible for the preparation and administration of study visits. Attending Study Meetings: The hired candidates will attend all project meetings for the Duke site as well as larger, cross-site meetings. They will work closely with project leadership to support the administration of team meetings, including preparing and distributing agendas and creating and distributing meeting minutes. Research Ethics Adverse Events: The hired candidates will recognize potential adverse events and ensure timely reporting to the Lead Coordinator, PI, and required parties. Participant Consent and Documentation: The hired candidates will support the development of consent materials in close consultation with the Duke research team. Regulatory and Safety Reporting: The hired candidates will support the preparation and submission of regulatory and safety documentation to sponsors and other agencies. Data Management Data Entry: The hired candidates will collect and maintain study data under the guidance of study leadership. Quality Assurance: Under supervision, the hired candidates will provide routine data oversight and quality checks to ensure consistency with study protocols and federal and institutional requirements. Data Visualization: Under supervision, the hired candidates will assist in preparing tables, data visualizations, and lay summaries to communicate study results to participants. Scientific Contributions Protocol Development: The hired candidates will work closely with the PIs to develop research protocols consistent with best research practices. Scholarly Product Development: The hired candidates will support the development of scholarly products, including contributing to presentations or academic posters, completing literature reviews, or supporting the development of scientific manuscripts. The hired candidates will also contribute to the distribution of study findings to non-scientific audiences (e.g., blog posts, white papers, stakeholders, etc.) Study and Site Management Research Activity Management: The hired candidates will use Duke clinical research management systems, like Oncore, to track and manage participant activities, such as enrollment, participant payment, interviews, appointments, etc. Equipment and Supply Management: The hired candidates will be responsible for maintaining research materials, supplies, and equipment in good working order, and making the study team aware of needs as they arise. Leadership: Professional Development: The hired candidates will have significant opportunity for professional development. They will work closely with their supervisor and PI to identify and facilitate training opportunities for themselves and other members of the study team. Continuing Education: The hired candidates will stay up-to-date with research best practices by attending talks, trainings, and workshops. Interpersonal Skills: The hired candidates will build successful, respectful, collaborative relationships with participants, community partners, and institutional stakeholders (e.g., community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and criminal legal system partners), using culturally responsive and trauma-informed approaches. Conflict Management: The hired candidates will recognize, navigate, and respond to interpersonal or organizational challenges with professionalism and sound judgment. They will address concerns directly when appropriate and escalate issues through appropriate channels as needed.

Choose Duke. Join our award-winning team as identified by Forbes magazine as America's Best Large Employer 2024 and be part of an inclusive culture that values excellence, innovation, and discovery. As an organization, we have exciting opportunities to be forward-thinking leaders in our field. We want talented individuals to join us, examine our current operations, and create innovative solutions that will revolutionize and enhance the way we approach our work. Duke University is consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide and is renowned for its cutting-edge research across disciplines.

Job Code: 00000803 CLINICAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST, SR Job Level: 50 Anticipated Pay Range: USD $23.00 to USD $34.50

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

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