Clinical Research Assistant

About the Role

The University of Maryland School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry, within its Division of Services Research and Study Management Unit, is seeking a full-time Clinical Research Assistant (RA) on a contractual basis. This position centers on conducting interviews to collect research data and supporting subject recruitment and screening for clinical studies. The RA will gather baseline and follow-up information, ensure participant eligibility, obtain consent, and maintain accurate demographic records to support longitudinal tracking.

Additional responsibilities include coordinating study recruitment activities, monitoring interviewing procedures, assisting with database upkeep, and providing progress reports on research initiatives. The role demands traveling to various clinics throughout Maryland to liaise with community health center personnel and to recruit, screen, consent, and interview participants. The RA may also conduct telephone interviews and manage data cleaning, coding, and entry.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Support research project execution within clinical settings by recruiting study participants and managing data collection and organization.
• Conduct research interviews to collect baseline and follow-up data; verify participant eligibility and handle consent and enrollment processes.
• Assist in coordinating subject recruitment, overseeing interviewer activities, maintaining database files, and preparing reports summarizing study progress.
• Carry out manualized one-on-one treatment interviews focused on smoking cessation interventions.
• Perform administrative functions including aiding interviewer training and mentoring, contributing to grant writing and scholarly publications, developing protocol manuals and data collection tools, participating in field visits, responding to queries from various stakeholders, and assisting in research study design.
• Conduct telephone interviews as required, ensure data validity and accuracy, and uphold compliance with quality and clinical standards.
• Perform other related assignments as necessary.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, or another scientific discipline related to clinical research; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• Experience in clinical research involving adult populations is advantageous.
• Additional education or related experience may substitute for formal qualifications on a year-for-year basis, with 30 undergraduate credits equating to one year of experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity with clinical recruitment procedures and research interviewing techniques, ensuring adherence to relevant regulations and standards.
• Strong analytical skills including statistical interpretation and experience with statistical, spreadsheet, and database software.
• Ability to contribute to research design and to prepare detailed technical documents and reports.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities, capable of effectively conveying scientific concepts and maintaining confidentiality.
• Professional and courteous interpersonal skills, adept at cooperative teamwork and customer interaction.

Compensation and Benefits

The position offers a salary range of $49,000 to $51,000, commensurate with education and experience. The University of Maryland, Baltimore provides a comprehensive benefits package emphasizing wellness, professional growth, and work-life balance. Benefits include over two weeks of annual vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, community service time, subsidized health insurance, retirement plans, tuition remission options, life and long-term disability insurance, and flexible work schedules with potential telework eligibility.

Additional Information

As a public university within the University System of Maryland, employees are expected to work primarily within Maryland. The university is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, offering equal opportunity employment irrespective of race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, veteran status, or other protected classifications. Reasonable accommodations for disabilities are available upon request in adherence to the Americans With Disabilities Act.