Open Positions

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $17.65 per hour.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under moderate supervision, the research assistant will plan and carry out activities for a clinical research trial that involves exercise and psychotherapy in patients with comorbid pain and opioid addiction. Responsibilities include but are not limited to patient exercise testing, exercise supervision, patient recruitment, patient retention, patient interviews, data collection and data management. Patient interviews, exercise supervision and other testing will be conducted primarily at the drug treatment centers located in northeast Ohio. The research assistant must be certified to supervise and perform exercise testing and conduct human subjects' research. The research assistant must have excellent oral and written communication skills and possess strong organizational skills, the ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Working under moderate supervision, the research assistant will perform research in medical and technical areas involving the use of skills. Conduct cardiopulmonary exercise testing, exercise supervision and associated data collection and management activities per the study protocols and procedures. (40%)

2. Record results for experiments/research activities. Maintain records of results and conduct corresponding data entry, data coding and data management including performing quality control to ensure that data is entered accurately and timely. May perform data queries, analyses of samples/data and manuscript preparation. May be trained and requested to perform certain data analytic tasks. (20%)

3. Plan and carry out project coordination activities including scheduling patient testing, intervention activities and other meetings as needed at the collaborating drug treatment facilities in northeast Ohio. May assist in developing improved techniques, projection methods or procedures. (10%)

4. Produce timely progress reports on recruitment, retention, exercise intervention and other data collected as part of the research study as requested by the principal investigator. Assist the principal investigator with recruitment and help meet recruitment goals as assigned. Must have and continue to maintain human subjects certification and other credentialing and certifications as required. (10%)

5. Maintain equipment including exercise cycles, cardiopulmonary exercising testing/metabolic cart systems, heart rate monitors, etc. Maintain and help order laboratory supplies including heart rate monitor batteries, cleaning solutions, alcohol wipes, etc. (9%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

1. Implement retention strategies to ensure patient compliance in the supervised exercise intervention periods and patient follow-up phases. (5%)

2. Attend regularly scheduled meetings with the principal investigator and other research study personnel, as requested. May help train new staff and potentially direct the work of students. (3%)   

3. May assist principal investigator with Institutional Review Board documentation and related activities as requested. (2%)   

4. Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with the principal investigator and other research personnel to discuss research and maintain workflow.

University: Weekly (or as otherwise specified by principal investigator) interaction with other research staff and co-investigators.

External: Daily contact with patients for recruitment, scheduling, interviewing, exercise supervision and follow-up calls. Daily contact with drug treatment center staff to help coordinate appointments and testing at facilities.

Students: Occasional instruction to other research personnel or to students assisting on the research project when requested by the principal investigator.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY 

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in science and 0 to 1 year of experience or Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 0 to 2 years of experience required. Must be certified to supervise exercise (American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Professional certification preferred). Must have current certification in First Aid and Basic or Advanced Life Support. Must be certified to conduct human subjects' research and must maintain this certification throughout the study. Experience working on clinical research projects at all levels including data collection and management is preferred. Prior training in exercise science or exercise physiology is preferred. Prior experience with exercise supervision and exercise testing is preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS 

1. Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within the particular fields of exercise physiology, epidemiology and those applied to clinical trials research.

2. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. 

3. Ability to operate laboratory equipment.

4. Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest. 

5. Ability to meet consistent attendance.

6. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers and study participants face to face.

7. Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.

8. Ability to perform patient exercise supervision, patient recruitment, data collection, patient follow-up and retention and data management techniques. 

9. Must be able to communicate important issues as they arise to the principal investigator, other research study members, and patients, as applicable, efficiently and effectively.

10. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills; must demonstrate the ability to work effectively and professionally with individuals within the university and external to the university, maintaining effective working relationships and addressing the potential and current needs of study patients.

11. Proficiency with basic computer skills including internet navigation, database management and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access). Experience with RedCap data management and NVivo and Matlab software a plus.

12. Strong organization skills; ability to multi-task, prioritize and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate attention to detail and accuracy, time management skills, and follow-through. 

13. Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively within a team. Must be highly motivated, responsible, dependable and a self-starter.

14. Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality. 

15. Effective problem-solving skills; must demonstrate good analytical skills, sound judgment and good decision-making. 

16. Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure; must be able and willing to work in a fast-paced, changing environment and conform to shifting priorities, demands and timeline. 

17. Ability to rely on and follow instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.

18. Must demonstrate willingness to learn new techniques, procedures, processes, and computer programs as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Must have reliable form of transportation to travel to collaborating drug treatment centers in northeast Ohio. Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds. Must be available Monday through Friday generally from the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for patient exercise supervision, interviews, and testing. May be asked to be available weekday evenings (approximately 5 to 7 p.m.) as needed. General laboratory environment. May have exposure to hazards. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including lab coat, gloves and googles, may be required and provided to limit exposure to hazards. 

This is a Term position. They are treated like regular staff positions for medical and dental benefits eligibility, vacation, holidays, and sick time.  Term employees are not eligible for life insurance, retirement, long term disability, short term disability, tuition assistance, layoff status, or severance pay.  Staff in term positions are also subject to the performance management review process and positive corrective action when work performance or behavior is unsatisfactory or unacceptable.  Term employment does not alter the employment-at-will employee status of these employees.

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.  Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation.  Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.