Research Assistant

at  Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Diabetes and Population Health lab is focused on clinical research and includes interaction with research participants, application of best clinical practice and the capacity to work well in a team environment.
The mission of the laboratory is to understand why and how diabetes is affecting population health, and to use this to improve population health. The special expertise of the Diabetes and Population Health lab is in developing and running large-scale population-based observational studies and in collating and analysing health-related administrative databases.
We are piloting a study of diabetes complications, with the aim of recruiting approximately 160 young adults with type 2 or type 1 diabetes in the first instance and 1000 per groups in the coming years.
We are seeking a Research Assistant to join us with experience in conducting clinical research. The Research Assistant will work within a small team and with the laboratory head to recruit and manage data collection from participants in an observational study of the complications of diabetes. The nature of the work is deadline and target-driven, as well as requiring a focus on accuracy and detail.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

You will have:

• A relevant Undergraduate degree, Graduate Diploma or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible research experience in a health science discipline, such as public health, microbiology, biochemistry, anatomy, pathology or medical technology.
• An interest in diabetes and the related complications or willingness to learn.
• A caring attitude towards study participants with previous experience and ability in clinical research studies and study recruitment.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, including the ability to manage a range of tasks with conflicting priorities.
• Research experience including awareness of ICH-GCP Guidelines and relevant regulatory/statutory guidelines.
• A high level of interpersonal and communication skills, which enable the appointee to liaise effectively with a wide range of people at a variety of levels internal and external to Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in data measurement and recording.
• Ability to exercise initiative and work independently with the ability to also participate positively in a team environment.
• Previous experience in sample handling and processing, epidemiological studies, database entry and preparing Ethics applications highly desirable.

• Organise and co-ordinate ongoing research study appointments including completion of case report forms and standard operation procedures.
• Ensure the studies under supervision are conducted according to good clinical research practice.
• Maintain and develop own knowledge and skills in areas of research through appropriate journals and other literature.
• Identify and recruit potential study participants from the study clinic sites, and screen them for suitability for the study by telephone and email.
• Carry out all relevant study-related tasks, ensuring adherence to protocol and good clinical practice.
• Liaise with private pathology and prepare results letters for participants.
• Order consumables for studies and arrange other personnel/resources for studies as required.
• Maintain accurate data entry and documentation of all study activities and enter and clean research data into a designated computerised database.
• Perform administrative functions concerned with own area of research and as required by supervisors.
• Contribute to the initiation and the preparation of applications for research projects as appropriate, including Human Research Ethics Committee submissions.