Job Description

The Framingham Heart Study Dementia and Brain Aging Research Group is looking for Research Assistant. These positions would suit a recent graduate who would like some research experience prior to entering a graduate program or medical school or a more experienced person who wishes to work in a rewarding setting as part of a pioneering research group. We ask for a minimal two-year commitment, but expect these positions to be funded for the 5 year grant cycle so longer term employment and career advancement are possible.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, hard-working, intelligent, self-motivated, well-organized, flexible candidate who is able to lead as well as contribute generously to team needs, is attentive to detail, open to feedback and enjoys interacting with people. Some knowledge of human biology and/or experience in a health related field, experience working with older adults would be an advantage but is not a pre-requisite to be considered. This will be a structured and supervised experience in the logistics, chart review and abstraction and data management aspects of the oldest and best known population study. There will also be extensive hands-on participant contact in the form of testing for cognitive function, disability, mood; training and supervision will be provided for this testing but the position requires English proficiency at the level of a native speaker, excellent communication (including the ability to write clearly and succinctly), and excellent inter-personal skills. Proficiency in a second language such as Spanish, Chinese is a plus but not required. There will be a need to integrate into a team of peers, staff and researchers from various backgrounds (neurology, neuropsychology, epidemiology, biostatistics among others).

Specific tasks will include: Working as a trained neuropsychology technician administering and scoring a neuropsychological test battery to FHS participants in person in the FHS clinic, in Boston University campus, the home or residential facility and also administering some mood and functional assessments. Assisting with participant contact (scheduling, exit interviews, mailing out of reports) and preparing case summaries for dementia reviews and clinico-neuropathological conferences. The job also involves carrying (and rapidly responding to) a 24 hourbrain bank pager for 8-12 weeks each year, there are typically 0-2 calls on this pager each month, each requiring about 1-2 hours of follow-up calls. Interested candidates will have opportunities to initiate or join research projects, submit abstracts and lead or join papers but this is not required.

Required Skills

Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years' experience required.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Job Location Framingham, Massachusetts, United State
Position Type Full-Time/Regular
Salary Grade Grade 72