Research Assistant I (Psychology)

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center:  Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Organization:

Psychiatry Central Admin

Job Summary:

JOB SUMMARY
Clinical Research Assistant in the Vanderbilt Center for Cognitive Medicine.

Full-time on-site clinical research assistant will support clinical research focused on geriatric depression in the Center for Cognitive Medicine. The role assists with participant recruitment, scheduling, consenting (under PI/supervisor direction), data collection/entry, and study visits related to transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), computerized cognitive training, cognitive testing, and brain-based biomarkers of treatment response.

.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES •

The clinical research assistant will work alongside the principal investigator (Sarah Szymkowicz, PhD, ABPP) to conduct a randomized controlled trial of neurostimulation (tDCS) paired with computerized cognitive training aimed to improve cognitive and brain functioning in geriatric depression. This position requires a desire to work directly with participants, as well as excellent organizational and data management skills.  

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct initial outreach, pre-screening, and schedule eligible participants (independently or in conjunction with other clinical research staff)
• Communicate visit logistics and reminders; document outreach outcomes.
• Explain study procedures and obtain informed consent, as delegated by the PI
• Conduct clinical interviews of psychiatric symptoms and administer symptom questionnaires
• Administer cognitive tests and score per protocol (under the supervision of a board-certified neuropsychologist)
• Carry out neuroimaging study protocols
• Set up and administer tDCS and computerized cognitive training according to established protocols; promptly escalate issues to supervisor/PI
  • Monitor participants during sessions for safety, tolerability, and adverse effects.
  • Document treatment details, participant responses, and any adverse events in the research records.
• Use EPrime to collect and analyze data
• Enter data into approved databases (e.g., REDCap); perform routine QC checks.
• Maintain participant trackers and follow-up logs.
• Clean and prepare study datasets (e.g., REDCap), run basic descriptive statistics, and generate simple tables/figures under supervision.
• Perform routine data quality checks (range/logic, missingness), maintain de-identified, securely stored files, and document steps for reproducibility.
• Prepare rooms/materials; assist with visit flow and post-visit documentation.
• Maintain source documents and regulatory binders as directed.
• Track supplies; coordinate with clinic/study staff for room/equipment scheduling.
• Participate in team meetings and trainings.
• Assist with simple literature look-ups and drafting of routine study summaries as assigned.
• Assist with manuscript preparation.
• Other duties as assigned. 

 

The ideal candidate should be highly motivated and capable of working independently. Individuals interested in geriatric mental health, neuropsychology, neuromodulation, digital cognitive interventions, and clinical trials are especially encouraged to apply. The position requires a high level of interpersonal skills, organization, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities. Reliability and clear written and verbal communication are also desired. This position is ideal for individuals interested in pursuing an MD or PhD in neuropsychology, psychology, neuroscience, or a related field.

 

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, biology, chemistry, or a related field. Experience in clinical research is highly desirable. Training in clinical interviewing and administration of tDCS, computerized cognitive training, cognitive testing, and neuroimaging data acquisition will be provided.

 

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Our Academic Enterprise is one of the nation’s longest serving and most prestigious academic medical centers. Through its historic bond with Vanderbilt University and integral role in the School of Medicine, Vanderbilt Health cultivates distinguished research and educational programs to advance a clinical enterprise that provides compassionate and personalized care and support for millions of patients and family members each year.

World-leading academic departments and comprehensive centers of excellence pursue scientific discoveries and transformational educational and clinical advances across the entire spectrum of health and disease.

Aligning with Vanderbilt Health’s Strategic Directions, the Office of Research provides shared research resources, administrative expertise and professional guidance to enable the trans-disciplinary environment and highly collaborative culture that advances discovery and training for all the research faculty, trainees, students and staff. 

Core Accountabilities:

Organizational Impact: Delivers job responsibilities that impact own job area/team with some guidance. Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Uses existing procedures, research and analysis to solve standard job related problems that may require some judgement. Breadth of Knowledge: Requires subject matter knowledge within a professional area to meet job requirements. Team Interaction: Individually contributes to project/ work teams.

Core Capabilities :

Supporting Colleagues: - Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas. - Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service. - Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns to supervisors in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards.- Ensures Continuous Improvement: Shows eagerness to learn new knowledge, technologies, tools or systems and displays willingness to go above and beyond. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively :- Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding of how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation: - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them.- Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

Position Qualifications:

Responsibilities:

Certifications :

Work Experience :

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level :

Less than 1 year

Education :

Bachelor's

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity.  EOE/Vets/Disabled.