What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Research Assistant BWH Rheumatology position at Mass General Brigham?
At Mass General Brigham, we know it takes a surprising range of talented professionals to advance our mission—from doctors, nurses, business people and tech experts, to dedicated researchers and systems analysts. As a not-for-profit organization, Mass General Brigham is committed to supporting patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community. We place great value on being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization as we aim to reflect the diversity of the patients we serve.
At Mass General Brigham, we believe a diverse set of backgrounds and lived experiences makes us stronger by challenging our assumptions with new perspectives that can drive revolutionary discoveries in medical innovations in research and patient care. Therefore, we invite and welcome applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups in healthcare — people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ community, and/or gender expansive, first and second-generation immigrants, veterans, and people from different socioeconomic backgrounds – to apply.
Job Summary
As a member of the Section of Clinical Sciences in the Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity, the Lead Research Assistant will work on several funded clinical research studies in a team consisting of a Principal Investigator, study coordinators, data analysts and co-investigators. The research assistant will coordinate and carry out a range of study-related activities such as recruitment of new research subjects, regular interaction with enrolled subjects, clinical data collection/organization for several assigned studies and database creation/organization.This position provides an opportunity to engage in a dynamic clinical research setting in a collaborative environment and is ideal for candidates interested in pursuing careers in medicine, clinical research or public health.
Qualifications
Primary Responsibilities
Performs study-related tasks in a pharmacologic trial of gout prevention that will include medical record review, recruitment, study visits, and data entry.
Helps train, provides guidance and mentorship to junior Research Assistants.
Reviews work of junior Research Assistants and Post-Doctoral Fellows prior to submission to IRB, journals, etc.
Independently determines eligibility of study subjects for research study. Organizes recruitment and conducts study visits for a for a variety of studies with focuses on various rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, etc. Keeps organized, accurate, and updated databases and maintains up to date records on all research subjects.
Collects and organizes clinical data obtained from the electronic medical record for a secondary data analysis of patients. Assists Principal Investigator and data analysts with literature review, data analysis, and creation of tables and figures of results.
In conjunction with PI, designs statistical analyses and works independently with programmer to perform the necessary study analyses.
Opportunity to contribute to the drafting and writing of scientific manuscripts, participating on co-author whenever appropriate.
Codes and enters data according to written protocols. Collaborates with investigators and data analysts to ensure data quality.
In conjunction with the Administrative Director and PI, monitors study budgets.
Provides information such as recruitment and data collection details for manuscript and abstract writing, completion of progress reports, IRB human subjects submissions for research protocols, annual reviews, and presentations (including preparation of graphics).
Contributes to drafting of progress reports, human subjects’ annual reviews, and protocols for executing projects in accordance with proposed aims and methodology. Assists with drafting formats for questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and other instruments as needed for research projects, assuring ease in administration and accuracy of data entry.
Provides investigators with current references. Researches the literature and follows up on specific requests from research staff. Attends and contributes to study meetings and scientific literature.
Works very independently with little guidance from PI.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
1. Bachelors degree required. Masters degree preferred.
2. Atleast 3 years of relevant research experience required.
3. Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Access preferred.
Skills, Abilities and Competencies Required
Keyboard / typing skills for data entry.
Must have interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients who may be potential study participants.
Must be able to prioritize and organize work responsibilities in order to meet deadlines so as not to hamper the progress of the studies.
Must possess integrity to maintain confidentiality and protect human research subjects.
Must be able to pay close attention to detail and to demonstrate accuracy in recording data.
Must be able to work with other employees including faculty, research staff, and clinical staff.
Must be able to make judgments under supervision for the above-mentioned job duties and responsibilities.
Additional Job Details (if applicable)
Remote Type
Work Location
Scheduled Weekly Hours
Employee Type
Work Shift
EEO Statement:
Mass General Brigham Competency Framework
At Mass General Brigham, our competency framework defines what effective leadership “looks like” by specifying which behaviors are most critical for successful performance at each job level. The framework is comprised of ten competencies (half People-Focused, half Performance-Focused) and are defined by observable and measurable skills and behaviors that contribute to workplace effectiveness and career success. These competencies are used to evaluate performance, make hiring decisions, identify development needs, mobilize employees across our system, and establish a strong talent pipeline.
