Research Assistant

Research Group / Department / School: School of Psychology, Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience

Location:            Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland 

Reports to:         Lorina Naci, Professor of Psychology

Post Summary 

The post holder will be part of a multidisciplinary research team working on studies examining cognitive disorders. Current research focuses on Alzheimer’s and other dementias, mild cognitive impairment, brain-injury and healthy volunteers. Our studies use imaging, biomarkers and neuropsychological methods to assess healthy volunteers, carers and patients. The post holder will help with participant recruitment, scheduling, follow up, data entry, etc. and share their time between the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience and the Memory Clinic at St James’s Hospital, in Dublin, Ireland. 

One of the studies which you will work on (the PREVENT Research Programme: http://preventdementia.co.uk/) aims to identify potential biological or psychological risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease in a mid-life population in order to aid the future implementation of interventions before the presentation of symptoms.

Standard duties and Responsibilities of the Post 

The post holder will gain experience with project management and all aspects of the research process, which could serve as a launch pad to graduate studies and a host of other jobs. 

The main responsibilities of the post-holder are to support the set-up, management and delivery of research studies as follows: 

1. Recruitment 

Recruit and screen participants to ensure the recruitment targets for the studies under her /his responsibility are achieved. Promote and maintain effective communication with research participants and members of the research team. Collaborate with external/ internal academic colleagues. Attend multi-disciplinary meetings and clinics as appropriate. Evaluate participant eligibility for entry to the study by carrying out screening assessments. 

2. Data Management 

Ensure all adverse events and/or incidental findings are appropriately recorded and reported. Maintain accurate records and ensures all relevant information is documented in source data worksheets and patient medical records if applicable. Complete the electronic case report form in a timely and efficient manner. Obtain any missing data and resolve queries with the clinical investigators. Observe the confidentiality of participant information at all times, in accordance with the Data Protection Act. Contribute to reports or presentations as required by the principal investigators. Facilitate communication and data/project sharing between the Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) site at Trinity College Dublin and the University of California San Francisco. 

3. Project Support 

Communicate effectively with participants, the research team and other professionals as appropriate. Provide ongoing information, advice and support to individuals participating in research studies and their carers and act on any concerns raised in a timely manner. To support preparation for periodic monitoring and safety reporting. The post holder will support the delivery of the various internal/external audits. Maintain study site files and documentation

Person Specification 

Qualifications 

BSc/BA in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, or related field.