RESEARCH TECHNICIAN II

Occupational Summary

Perform a variety of clinical research duties including recruitment of study participants, scheduling of study participants, explaining study procedures to study participants, assisting at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, administering questionnaires and sensory testing to study participants, and assisting with data organization and analysis in support of Duke University research operations.

Work Performed

Perform a variety of interpersonal, organizational, and complex technical duties for clinical research studies of (1) the relationship between brain reward/value processing, chronic pain (e.g., fibromyalgia), and opioid use / addiction, and (2) spinal cord processes of chronic pain and influence of opioid use.

Involved in planning and conducting clinical research study visits with individuals with chronic pain and healthy (pain-free) volunteers. Recruitment and scheduling of study participants for involvement in a longitudinal study with multiple follow-up time points. Provide clear explanation of study visit procedures and thoughtful assistance and guidance for study visit participants. Collection, documentation, compilation, and organization of study recruitment progress, research data, and miscellaneous notes pertaining to the study visit. Confer with principal investigator to review study recruitment, timeline, procedures, unanticipated issues. Assist principal investigator to develop plans, generate ideas, and provide proactive solutions for efficient recruitment and recruitment. Meticulous attention to detail to ensure complete and accurate data collection and any notes pertaining to deviations from protocol procedures or issues during the study visits. Administer questionnaires, training on behavioral tasks, and a variety of sensory tests to study participants. Perform administrative duties of providing timely payment to participants and follow-up after study visits. Review laboratory methods manual, scientific journals, abstracts and other literature for information applicable to research experiments. Determine and set up instruments, material and apparatus and operate laboratory equipment required for specific tests. Maintain sufficient inventory of material, supplies and equipment for performance of duties; clean and maintain laboratory equipment. Review work of lower level laboratory personnel within designated areas and assist in training new personnel. Assist clinical research coordinator and/or postdoc for all regulatory requirements and documentation.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training: Work requires a bachelor's degree in neuroscience, physiology, human biology, psychology, or other science related scientific field.

Experience: Experience with one or more of the following is required: (1) Planning, recruitment/screening, and scheduling of patients for research studies (2) Data collection and/or analysis of neuroimaging using MRI, fMRI, DTI, MR spectroscopy, PET in humans (preferred) or animals (3) Data collection and/or interaction with clinical populations and excellent patient interaction / rapport (4) Sensory, behavioral, or clinical testing in patients (e.g., pain testing, behavioral tasks, questionnaires), possibly including data collection and analysis

Skills: N/A Experience with recruitment and clinical research, interactions with patients in medical or research settings, and/or experience or familiarity with conducting / data collection / data analysis of MRI or other imaging scans considered a plus.