Institute for Medical Research at the Durham VA Health Care System

Research Assistant III - Part-Time

PI: Dr. Christina Williams

The Institute for Medical Research (IMR), an affiliate of the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS), has an opening for a part-time Research Assistant (RA). The RA will perform a variety of duties to assist investigators and project teams in both quantitative and qualitative research projects related to cancer, Gulf War illness, military exposures, and other projects with the Durham VA Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center.

Previous experience in these specific fields or applications is not required or necessary; however, candidates should be enthusiastic about exploring the epidemiology of various health conditions, including screening, treatment, outcomes, and health disparities.  Studies include prospective observational research and retrospective population studies in the Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center (CSPEC) at the Durham VA. More information about the Durham VA CSPEC program can be found here: Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center (CSPEC)-Durham (va.gov)

 Location:  This is a hybrid position located in Durham, North Carolina and candidates must be willing to relocate prior to start date.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assisting with Veteran recruitment and enrollment.
• Conducting technical and scientific literature searches to obtain data relevant to the research project and/or initiative.
• Developing and maintaining bibliographic databases and data forms in accordance with research protocol and privacy and confidentiality rules and regulations.
• Screening abstracts and performing text reviews and data abstraction in accordance with protocol/initiative.
• Scheduling investigator meetings and maintaining meeting minutes to document project progress, outstanding issues, action items, and required follow-up.
• Preparing and disseminating project communications, letters, brochures.
• Scheduling appointments with research subjects and other staff.
• Assisting with medical record review and data abstraction.
• Assisting the PI and project manager with developing research/quality materials and support writing of reports and presentations related to the project.
• Responding to internal and external inquiries such as PI requests, data inventories, fact finding, collaborations, etc.
• Assisting with drafting, editing, and proofreading documents such as IRB, manuscripts, professional emails, and other written correspondence.
• Reviewing professional journals and publications to extract and summarize information relevant to assigned research task.
• Assisting with emerging national and local initiatives on a variety of research related activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Work requires one year of research or data collection and/or analysis experience that can be obtained through a bachelor’s program or graduate studies. Experience with basic statistical coding (e.g., R, SPSS, SAS, Stata, Python), data processing, and Microsoft Excel would be beneficial.

Upload a resume and a brief cover letter, detailing how your interests and experience fit with the position.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements and activities that are required to perform the essential functions of the position include, but may not be limited to, as follows:  Must be able to occasionally lift, pull and push a minimum of 10 pounds, stand for extended periods of time, sit for extended periods of time, squat, kneel, and stoop, and regularly use fingers and hands for computer work.

Supervisory Controls: The position of Research Assistant will report directly to the PI.

The prior statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Salary: $ 23.00 - $30.00 per hour 

This is a part-time position with 15 – 20 hours per week

Status:  Non-Exempt

Start Date: Expected start date will be 4- 6 weeks after the offer but is somewhat flexible and contingent upon completion and approval of VA paperwork.

All IMR employees are required to obtain a Workers Without Compensation (WOC) appointment at the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS).  As a result, the successful candidate must undergo a federal background check and may be subject to a physical and drug test. Participation in the vaccination programs may be required for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Workers Without Compensation (WOC) appointments. We will not sponsor applicants for work visas.  

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled persons and Veterans