Psychology Research Assistant, Department of Surgery

Psychology Research Assistant

Position Overview : Dr. Thomson, Director of Research at the Injury and Violence Prevention Program (IVPP) at VCU, is accepting applications for a research assistant. This position is supported by a 5-year R01 funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The project is currently in its second year.

Description of the project: This project aims to understand biological markers for callous-unemotional (CU) traits in youth with conduct disorder, and if these biomarkers contribute to the stability of CU traits over time. For more information about IVPP, visit https://www.vcuhealth.org/services/injury-and-violence-prevention

Duties: Research assistant duties include (but are not limited to): supporting research staff on research and administrative based tasks; recruiting participants by phone and email; conducting baseline and follow-up assessments; study equipment maintenance, set-up, and cleaning; management of study supplies and inventory; supporting cohesion of administrative and research tasks; maintaining and documenting research protocol compliance; coordinating with participants for follow-up assessments and payments; data collection, management, and analysis. This position requires working in rotation on the weekends and some evenings.

Required qualifications/experience

• A bachelor’s degree in psychology, cognitive science, education, social work or related field
• Experience conducting interviews
• Experience working with adolescents
• Knowledge of conduct disorder
• Must be organized, responsible, punctual, with ability to pay close attention to details
• Experience prioritizing, organizing and performing multiple work assignments simultaneously
• Ability to handle fluctuating priorities and deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven leadership abilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities
• Demonstrated experience fostering a diverse student, staff, and faculty work environment or a commitment to do so

Preferred qualifications/experience

• Experience working with youth with conduct disorder/externalizing disorders
• Experience in neuroscience, psychophysiology, biological psychology
• 3+ years of similar research experience is desirable
• Experience recording and coding facial EMG, heart rate, skin conductance, pre-ejection period, and/or respiratory sinus arrhythmia
• Experience using AcqKnowledge/BIOPAC software or similar products
• Experience conducting interviews or working with youth and adult patient populations
• Experience with virtual reality equipment set-up and use

University Title: Clinical Research Coordinator (Open)

ORP Eligibility: No

This is a restricted position with no set end date and continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

Position will remain open until filled with a priority application date of January 15, 2023

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. VCU School of Medicine comprises 18 clinical departments, eight basic health science departments, and 11 affiliated institutes and centers, and provides preeminent education to physicians and scientists in order to improve the quality of healthcare for humanity. All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off,12 paid holidays, and more. Explore our benefits further here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.