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GENERAL SUMMARY / OVERVIEW:

McLean Hospital is a comprehensive psychiatric hospital committed to providing easy access to superior quality, cost-effective mental health services in the Boston area, Massachusetts and beyond. Since 1811, McLean Hospital has been a world leader in the treatment of mental illness and chemical dependency, research into the cause of mental illness and the training of generations of mental health care providers. McLean's multidisciplinary programs treat a broad range of psychiatric illnesses across the full continuum of care.

Working under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (Kristin Javaras, DPhil, PhD) and following established policies and procedures, the laboratory assistant will provide assistance on research studies in the area of eating disorders and eating behavior. These studies will include: (1) a federally-funded neuroimaging study in young adult women with and without binge-eating disorder; (2) a study examining the validity of diagnoses of anorexia nervosa in electronic health records; and (3) a study examining the feasibility of using wearable technology to assess eating behavior in the real world in young adult women. Specific responsibilities may include: managing participant recruitment, screening, and tracking; administering interviews, questionnaires, and computer tasks, conducting imaging scans, collecting physiological measurements, and performing other tasks during participant visits; assisting with electronic health record review and performing related data entry; working to prepare a database of food images for release and publication; maintaining and updating data generated by the studies; performing data processing and basic data analysis; completing paperwork and IRB applications; handling other administrative tasks; performing literature searches; and contributing to the writing of manuscripts and grant applications.

Please note that the position will involve occasional weekday evening hours, as needed to accommodate participant schedules, and also working either a Saturday or Sunday in place of a weekday, in order to conduct all-day participant visits.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for recent college graduates looking for clinical research experience before applying to graduate programs (particularly in the areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, health psychology, or neuropsychology) or medical school.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides assistance on research studies as per study guidelines and protocols.
2. Prepares for and conducts participant visits, which includes preparing participant binders, using EPIC to order fMRI scans and pre-screen participants, preparing and serving participant meals, administering interviews, questionnaires, and computer-based tasks, leading MRI simulator sessions, serving as a judge for the social stressor paradigm, helping situate participants in the MRI scanner and providing them with instructions during MRI sessions, collecting saliva samples and physiological data, and interacting with participants for a long period of time.
3. Assists with electronic health record review and related data entry.
4. Works to prepare a database of food images, including editing images and entering image-related data.
5. Develops, organizes, and/or maintains study databases. Responsible for data validation and quality control, data processing, and some data analysis.
6. Completes and maintains all research documentation, including appropriate documentation of study visits.
7. In conjunction with the Principal Investigator, develops and implements research protocols and Institutional Review Board applications.
8. Performs literature searches.
9. Assists with preparation of presentations and written manuscripts for publication.
10. Assists with preparation of new grant applications.
11. Performs research-related administrative tasks, such as ordering supplies, etc.
12. All other duties as assigned.

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QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA or BS Degree required.
• Prior coursework in psychology, neuroscience, or related subjects is strongly preferred. Relevant clinical research experience is strongly preferred. Experience with neuroimaging is desirable.
• Work will occur primarily during normal business hours, but will include up to four weekend days a month and occasional evening hours (the latter based on participant scheduling).

SKILLS / ABILITIES / COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Passion for mental health research (including psychology, health sciences, neuroscience, and related disciplines).
• Ability to demonstrate professionalism and respect for participants’ and colleagues’ rights and individual needs.
• Excellent interpersonal skills are required for working with study participants and research collaborators.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize a variety of tasks.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• High degree of comfort with technology.
• Analytical skills and the ability to resolve technical or research problems and interpret the acceptability of data results.
• Ability to exhibit the flexibility and resolve required to conduct rigorous, cutting-edge research.
• High degree of computer literacy and knowledge of word processing and data management software (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• High degree of motivation and the ability to work independently.
• Works well with others.
• Knowledge of clinical research protocols.

EEO

It is the policy of McLean Hospital to affirmatively provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants for employment and existing employees without regard to their race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or a condition related to pregnancy including, but not limited to, lactation or the need to express breast milk for a nursing child, or any other basis that would be in violation of any applicable law or regulation.

MCL McLean Hospital Main Campus (MCLMAIN)
115 Mill Street
Belmont, 02478

The position will involve weekday evening hours, as needed to accommodate participant schedules, and also working either a Saturday or Sunday in place of weekday, in order to conduct all-day participant visits.