Research Assistant I/II - Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences' REaKT

Research Assistant Position

UTHealth Houston's Psychiatry and Behavioral Science's Center for Interventional Psychiatry is hiring a Research Assistant for the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center - DCB Clinic!

The Research Assistant will support clinical research studies conducted within the inpatient psychiatric services at the UTHealth Houston Center for Interventional Psychiatry, located at the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center. This role involves direct interaction with participants experiencing major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and acute suicidal ideation who are enrolled in clinical trials evaluating electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), ketamine, and other interventional psychiatry treatments. Responsibilities include participant screening and recruitment, study assessments, data collection, regulatory documentation, and coordination of study procedures in a fast-paced clinical environment. Given the early scheduling of ECT treatments, work hours begin at 6:00 AM.

This role supports clinical research activities by conducting participant recruitment, screening, informed consent, and study visits, while coordinating trials involving ECT, ketamine, and other interventional psychiatry treatments. The Research Assistant will perform comprehensive pre-screening assessments and detailed medical record reviews to determine participant eligibility; collect clinical, cognitive, behavioral, and biological data in accordance with study protocols; ensure participant safety by monitoring and promptly escalating concerns; collaborate closely with psychiatrists, nursing staff, ECT teams, sponsors, and research personnel to uphold protocol compliance; and provide ongoing support for data entry, quality control, and study closeout activities.

Work Schedule

• Monday–Friday, with routine start times at 6:00 AM to support ECT treatment schedules and research activities.
• Occasional flexibility may be required based on participant schedules and study needs.

Preferred skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology, Public Health, Nursing, or a related health science field. • Prior experience in clinical research, healthcare, mental health, or patient-facing settings preferred. • Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), human subjects' protection, and research ethics. • Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. • Proficiency with electronic data capture systems (RedCap and Epic) • Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements. • Experience working with psychiatric populations, particularly individuals with depression, treatment-resistant depression, or suicidal ideation. • Experience coordinating clinical research studies and interacting with study participants. • Familiarity with ECT, ketamine treatments, or other interventional psychiatry procedures. • Experience with source documentation, regulatory compliance, and electronic case report forms (eCRFs). • Current Human Subjects Protection and GCP certifications or willingness to obtain certification upon hire.

Position Summary:

Under general supervision, conducts basic/ translational research which may include animal work and other activities according to research protocol. Research activities may include some or all of the following: handle biological samples, laboratory experiments and activities, and data collection.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Under general supervision, performs experiments and activities to support research objectives
• Collects, organize and prepares research data to provide needed information to principal investigators and other researchers. Updates notebooks, records, and databases as needed
• Maintains clean laboratory equipment and/or work area to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
• Orders laboratory and/or other supplies as directed by senior research staff.
• Stays abreast of new and updated procedures and protocols for the research laboratory. Must maintain compliance with required training. May participate in continuing education programs, seminars, and workshops.
• As needed, may coordinate the work of technicians to ensure efficient, timely and high-quality results.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification/Skills:

None

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree required May substitute required education with equivalent years of experience beyond the minimum experience requirement.

Minimum Experience:

None

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.