Research Assistant - Infectious Diseases

• Job Type: Support Staff - Union
• Bargaining Unit: SSA
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $63,234.71 - $63,234.71

Position Summary

The Research Assistant will provide technical and research-oriented support in the Division of Infectious Diseases for a wide range of clinical research and educational activities. This role will primarily contribute to studies focused on HIV (including HIV treatment, vaccines, and biomedical prevention), HIV prevention (including pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis, and doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis), sexually transmitted infections (including gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, Mycoplasma genitalium, mpox, and other emerging infections), and related areas of infectious diseases and emerging infections. 

The successful candidate will become an integral part of a dynamic clinical research team committed to delivering excellence in clinical care, education, and research. Working alongside a multidisciplinary team, the Research Assistant will assist in the execution of biomedical research studies, including epidemiological, qualitative, and clinical investigations. This will involve research related to HIV, HIV prevention (including long-acting injectable antiretrovirals and PrEP), sexually transmitted infections (including bacterial STIs and emerging infections such as mpox), digital health interventions, and community and provider education. The candidate will work with vulnerable populations, including women, men who have sex with men, transgender and genderdiverse individuals, and people with a history of incarceration. The Columbia Research Unit conducts both industry and government sponsored research. 

The candidate will work under the supervision of the principal investigator and may handle routine assignments as well as more complex duties. This position is contingent upon grant funding. We seek a bright, motivated, responsible individual with exceptional organizational and communication skills, capable of independent work and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Assist with participant recruitment, screening, and education on study protocols, including administering questionnaires and collecting data in accordance with study protocols.
• Schedule participant visits, ensure accurate demographic recording in electronic medical records and databases, and maintain proper documentation for tracking and quality control.
• Ensure proper collection, labeling, transport, and storage of data and study samples in accordance with study protocols.
• Assist with preparing clinical and laboratory materials and documentation, adhering to protocol procedures. 
• Contribute to the design and development of educational materials for participants and providers.
• Execute complex tasks following standard protocols and operating procedures, including detailed observations and manipulations as per sponsor guidelines. 
• Enter data into databases and engage in quality assurance activities to ensure timely and accurate data transmission. 
• Assist in developing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs), including participant retention strategies.
• Support data analysis, interpretation, and presentation.
• Conduct informed consent procedures and obtain signed informed consent from participants .
• Pick up product from the pharmacy with proper documentation .
• Assist with clinic tasks, including equipment maintenance, inventory management, and ensuring exam rooms are properly stocked. 
• Communicate in a professional manner with members of the team.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.
• The candidate will work under the general supervision of the principal investigator.
• Assignments are routine, but they may include duties of a more complicated nature. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least 1.5 years of related experience or equivalent in education, training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with adults discussing sexual health and sexual behaviors.
• Knowledge of prevention strategies regarding HIV and sexually transmitted infections.
• Prior experience managing datasets.
• Proficiency in Spanish language.
• Phlebotomy training.
• Highly organized and detail oriented, with experience handling multiple projects.  
• Strong communication skills. 

Other Requirements

• The candidate selected for this position is required to undergo a drug screening test prior to a final offer of employment being made.
• Participation in the medical surveillance program.
• Contact with patients and/or human research subjects.
• Wear N-95 respirator.
• Potential bloodborne pathogen exposure.
• Successful completion of applicable compliance and system training requirements. 

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.