Research Assistant, Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine

Position Overview

The Department of Clinical Neurosciences in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for a Research Assistant. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 1 year (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

This position reports to the Manager, Brain and Mental Health Research Clinic.  

This RA will be working with the Brain and Mental Health Research Clinics, a joint initiative between the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Departments of Clinical Neurosciences and Psychiatry. The purpose of the initiative is to work with clinics to implement and optimize patient registries for research or quality improvement purposes. The successful candidate may also be expected to work on other related projects in various clinics for neurological and mental health conditions.

The research assistant will provide knowledge translation skills, research, analysis and data collection facilitation, writing and critical thinking expertise to the project. They will handle multiple tasks within a fast paced environment. The research assistant will develop and maintain positive working relationships with all project stakeholders including patients, students, physicians within the clinics, scientists as well as other members of the initiative.  

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Advise on and design processes and procedures regarding data collection and patient recruitment within the speciality of brain and mental health clinics, and ensure project lead and manager are up to date and informed on progress and challenges of recruitment
• Work with team to develop and maintain the Brain and Mental Health Research Clinics website, newsletter and communications
• Prepare research reports and contribute to the writing of manuscripts resulting from primary research activities undertaken to be submitted for publication
• Write and develop ethics submissions and grant applications for new research projects initiated, and ethics modifications for current projects if necessary. Complete and manage approvals for Alberta Health Services as necessary and required by the research ethics board
• Participate in design and development of research processes including identification of methodologies, proposal development, recruitment strategies, and data analysis processes
• Conduct and analyze focus group data (in conjunction with the project team) with brain and mental health clinic patients, family members and staff as needed to achieve project objectives
• Assist project team with the development of recruitment strategy, data collection instruments, and data dictionary. Advise project leader and manager if necessary changes or adaptations are required and undertake modifications of data collection instruments
• Assist in entering data, analyzing data, and managing and maintaining comprehensive clinical research databases
• Assist in design and development of case report forms and/or patient direct entry forms for REDCap databases and liaise with the Clinical Research Unit (CRU) about clinic registries
• Conduct literature reviews, knowledge syntheses and assist with systematic reviews
• Establish and maintain effective, productive relationships with clinic and university staff, fellow research team members, immediate supervisor and senior management, and with the campus community

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Undergraduate in health related field (i.e. nursing, health sciences) and/or experience in health care setting or health research
• Knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative research methods, statistics and epidemiological principles
• A background in patient engagement and service user involvement is beneficial to the role
• Experience in knowledge translation an asset
• Experience and knowledge of university research ethics and AHS approval systems an asset
• Experience doing interviews or focus groups in a health research environment an asset
• Excellent organization skills, including the ability to work independently and to multitask
• Experience with literature reviews and/or searching library databases for literature an asset
• Experience with statistical or qualitative analysis software an asset
• Experience with REDCap databases an asset
• Excellent attention to details a must
• High level of effective time management, personal initiative and teamwork
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills
• Strong team skills as this position will have a high degree of interaction/contact with patients, researchers, students and other stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor. A positive attitude and the ability to work independently and as part of a team are critical to success
• Ability to thrive and deliver results in a fast-paced team environment

Application Deadline: This position will remain open until filled; however, applicants will be reviewed as they are received.

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase II.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website. For more information about the Cumming School of Medicine visit Careers in the Cumming School of Medicine.

COVIDSafe Campus Strategy

The University has implemented a new Vaccination Directive that requires all faculty and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by January 1, 2022. You will be required to upload proof of vaccination prior to commencing your duties. Please review the COVIDSafe Campus website for further information and access to additional resources.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.