HBCD Research Assistant

About the JobThe Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research (MCTFR) seeks to hire one HBCD Research Assistant (8352P1: Research Professional 1) responsible for executing all tasks associated with the HBCD (Healthy Brain and Child Development) Study protocol. The HBCD Study is recruiting people during pregnancy and following their infants through the first five years of their lives. Responsibilities include recruitment and retention, scheduling study assessments, and conducting parent interview/questionnaire assessments designed to assess eligibility criteria, substance use, psychopathology, medical health, and psychosocial functioning; parent interview/questionnaire, neurocognitive, and observational assessments designed to assess infant/child development, temperament, and psychopathology; parent interview/questionnaire and parent/infant/child biospecimens (e.g., blood, saliva, nails, urine) designed to assess medical health and environmental exposures; and collecting infant/child MRI and EEG data. The HBCD Research Assistant will review data to assure quality, provide the HBCD Site Coordinator with regular reports, and transfer data to the HBCD Data Informatics Center. Required qualifications include: a bachelor's degree in Psychology, Human Development, Cognitive or Affective Neuroscience, or a related field; a flexible work schedule (including evenings and weekends, with an expected 3 nights per week conducting MRI assessments); and the ability to work onsite at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB), Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR), Institute of Child Development, and Elliott Hall. Preferred qualifications include: HBCD or MCTFR research experience; experience working with infants and/or young children in a research context; prior research experience; excellent attention to detail, organizational, interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.Responsibilities:Assess research participants:Conduct study assessments with parent and infants/children, at MIDB/CMRR, participant homes, or elsewhere;Complete in-person, phone, and remote video conference assessments;Conduct interviews and questionnaires in-person, via phone, and via remote video conference;Conduct neurocognitive assessments;Understand emergency procedures and respond to clinical alerts.Assist with collecting neurohealth data from research participants:Collect neurohealth data from parents and infants/children;Collect biospecimens (blood, saliva, nails, urine, other possible biospecimens; assist in collection of blood draws) as required by HBCD protocol;Assist with collecting MRI data with infants/children, including acting as second-chair at MIDB/CMRR during MRI protocol alongside a trained scanner operator;Help infants fall asleep for their MRI scan, remain with infant during the scan;Assist with collecting EEG data with infants/children;Execute E-Prime tasks.Act as a research representative of the HBCD Study:Contact study participants; describe study goals, assessment tasks, confidentiality limitations and potential risks; schedule assessment appointments;Greet study participants;Describe study procedures thoroughly;Obtain informed consent;Answer participant questions and conduct a family de-briefing at the end of the visit;Maintain required recruitment and assessment documentation.Schedule research participants:Schedule participant assessment appointments;Use Google and MIDB/CMRR calendars for scheduling;Remind participants of their upcoming assessment appointments.Carry out independent tasks:Review study assessments post-visit to assure completeness and readiness for data entry and HBCD Informatics/Coordinating Center review;Participate in team meetings and teleconference calls;Assist with HBCD data management and other miscellaneous projects.QualificationsRequired Qualifications:BA/BS in Psychology, Human Development, Cognitive or Affective Neuroscience, or a related field, and/or an equivalent combination of research experience totaling at least 4 years.Ability to work on-site at the University of Minnesota and evenings/weekends as needed to accommodate a flexible work schedule.Prior experience working in a research context.Preferred Qualifications:Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.Prior research experience with infants and/or young children, interviewing research participants, conducting clinical interviews, or collecting biospecimens.Prior experience collecting MRI and/or EEG data.Excellent verbal communication skills.Problem-solving skills and attention to detail to work independently and assure accuracy.

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