Research Assistant

Kingston, Canada                 ·                Full time

Position Summary

Queen’s University – General Staff

POSITION TITLE: Research Assistant

DEPARTMENT: Center for Neuroscience Studies, Queen’s University

POSITION NUMBER:

GRADE: 6 ($51,950/annum all inclusive)     

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 18, 2024 DURATION: 3 years

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Principal Investigator (PI), the Research Assistant will perform a wide array of duties in support of research projects affiliated with the Center for Neuroscience Studies and Neurology Division within the Department of Medicine at Queen’s University. These will mainly include working on the newly acquired High density EEG (HD-EEG) system ready for clinical research use, and also include, but are not limited to, completing literature reviews, assisting with research ethics board submissions and data collection, and carrying-out basic administrative functions. This position will assist with transfer of HD-EEG data from the system installed in the KHSC Epilepsy Monitoring unit, to a review computer and / or KHSC EEG servers, and will require experience working with different open-source software programs like Matlab ® or Python ®, to assist with EEG and sleep data management. The position will also include, but is not limited to report-writing, assist in manuscript and grant preparations under the supervision of the PI and senior staff. The Research Assistant will also participate in the coordination of any trial or studies being performed by the PI, which will include initiating patient screening, recruitment, and enrolment, tracking patients, assisting in scheduling of patients, notifications, patient follow-up, data entry, and maintenance of records in a confidential manner.

Key Responsibilities:

• Consenting patients for participation in research, which involves describing the study as applicable and obtaining written informed consent.
• Scheduling of research patients for clinical assessments (epilepsy sleep questionnaires, HD- EEG testing and follow-ups) by the PI or the appropriate delegate.
• Assist in data collection functions (baseline demographics, phone calls, interviews, focus groups) along with other research personnel including graduate students
• Assist in the coordination of study students (tracking hours worked, compensation, associated paperwork) who report directly to the PI.
• Conduct literature reviews using electronic library databases (PubMed). This will involve looking up references and summarizing articles.
• Assist PI and co-investigators with research ethics board submissions by completing forms as per protocols developed by the investigators.
• Aid in the production of various documents, presentations, and grants.
• Utilize and refine computer databases (EXCEL, MS ACCESS). Perform basic data processing, including data entry (REDcap).
• Post research findings on the Neurology website and make website updates as required.
• Perform basic administrative services, such as scheduling, making appointments, word processing, faxing, copying, and filing. Prepare or if routine, initiate correspondence, notes, and memos.
• Install new software as directed (e.g. ADOBE, Matlab ®, PERSYST ®).
• transfer HD-EEG data from the system installed in the KHSC Epilepsy Monitoring unit, to a review computer and / or KHSC EEG servers and conduct preliminary review of studies
• Schedule integration of research and clinical activities.
• Undertake other activities as delegated in support of the Research Program.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in life sciences and / or two-year post-secondary program in a relevant field with some relevant experience in a research environment.
• Master of Science (MSc) or doctorate (PhD) in life sciences, preferably Neuroscience or relevant field considered an asset.
• Experience in Neuroscience research and or a relevant field, is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience using EEG is a desirable asset.
• Knowledge and experience with TRAQ Researcher Portal and Queen’s Research Ethics Boards is an asset.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Skills:

• Respects diversity and actively promotes inclusion in the workplace.
• Prior experience in a clinical research setting is a strong asset.
• Writing, basic editing and proofreading skills with an ability to pay attention to detail and accuracy.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to focus even under pressure and with frequent interruptions.
• Interpersonal and communications skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Office and computer skills including knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database, and publisher software (Microsoft Office). Ability to learn new software packages as required.

Decision Making:

• Prioritize work and time.
• Decide how to distribute information, what method to use, and who to send it to.
• Assist in the generation of various documents and reports and provide input where appropriate. Participate and act as resource person in the production of more complex publications. Determine formatting for simple to complex documents.
• Respond to general enquiries, providing reasonable answers, or a means to find an answer if necessary. Redirect problems to Principal Investigator.

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