Job Title

Senior Research Associate

Agency

Texas A&M Agrilife Research

Department

Nutrition

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The Vanden Brink Lab is seeking a research associate to assist with the set-up and conduct of clinical research studies. The Vanden Brink Lab intersects nutrition, metabolic health,

and women's health to investigate the the role of nutrition and metabolic status leading to the development of conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome during adolescence.

The applicant will support the operations of the wet lab, dry lab, and clinical research.

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience

Application instructions: A cover letter and resume or CV are required along with 3 references

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in biology, physiology, nutrition, or a related field, plus 4 years of relevant experience

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

Experience working with human research participants

PREFERRED EDUCATION:

Nursing degree OR Master’s degree in biology, physiology, nutrition, or a related field

CCRC or CCRP certification

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

One-year phlebotomy experience or willingness to be trained in phlebotomy

Experience writing or reviewing IRB proposals or supporting IRB submission

Experience handling biological specimens (e.g., blood, urine)

REQUIRED SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Familiarity with appropriate laboratory and/or technical equipment

Excellent communication skills

Excellent organizational skills and strict attention to detail

Excellent time management skills

Ability to work collaboratively with study staff, postdoctoral researchers, undergraduates, principal investigators, and other laboratories

Ability to work independently

Ability to work with diverse groups

Team oriented

Ability to manage multiple studies simultaneously

Experience with Microsoft Office and Zoom Videoconferencing technologies

PREFERRED SPECIAL KNOWELDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Experience managing teams

Willingness to be trained in transabdominal pediatric ultrasonography

Experience with REDCap data management software

Experience working with pediatric research participants and families

Experience drawing blood in a clinical or research setting

Experience collecting dietary and/or physical activity data (i.e., Food Frequency Questionnaires, dietary interviews)

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Assist with IRB administration, including protocol development, renewals, amendments, incidental finding reports

Assist with the development and implementation of biological specimen processing protocols

Biological specimen processing

Data transcription, data management and quality assurance

Perform statistical analyses, present data

Coordinate active multi-site clinical research studies, which includes the following tasks:

Recruitment

Screening and eligibility assessment

Obtain Permission/Assent

Schedule and coordinate participant visits

Conduct study procedures, including basic venipuncture and transabdominal ultrasound (training to be provided)

Maintain source documentation of study visits and procedures

Process, store, and log biological specimens

Oversee and train graduate, undergraduate research assistants

Travel to study sites for training, support active data collection

Data entry and management

Oversee maintenance of wet lab space

Lab ordering, inventory management

Other duties as assigned

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.

As the largest comprehensive agriculture and life sciences program nationally, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies within the Texas A&M University System With over 5,000 employees, and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, the environment, and the economy of Texas and the nation through education, research, extension and service.If your goal is the pursuit of excellence and your vision is to make a difference in this world, we invite you to explore our opportunities to discover what a career at Texas A&M AgriLife has to offer you.

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/agency/extension-home/)

• Texas A&M AgriLife Research

• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/agency/college-home/)

• Texas A&M Forest Service

• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/agency/tvmdl-home/)

  Texas A&M AgriLife collaborates with Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and West Texas A&M University as well as with other public and private partners.

• Prospective employee benefits

• Retirement programs

• Commitment to inclusive excellence (https://agrilife.tamu.edu/about/diversity-inclusion/)

• Strategic plan