Job Description

The Regulation of Emotion in ASD Adults Children and Teens (REAACT) Lab ( in the Center of Excellence for Autism Research (CeFAR) is seeking a full-time research specialist to assist with a research program focused on mental health and suicide risk in autistic adults. The program will enroll both autistic and non-autistic adults to participate in three inter-related studies. The Research Specialist will work on a large grant that will look at mental health and suicide in adults with autism.  The Research Specialist will work closely with participants, screening them, assisting with MRIs as well as scheduling for other appointments in the study, assisting with data entry, and assisting staff who are administering assessments. The ideal candidate will have excellent organization, problem solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.  The ideal candidate will have experience with and enjoy working with autistic individuals, experience working in research, and will be a quick learner and comfortable with new technology.

This position is grant funded.

Responsibilities:

• Guide participants through all study procedures from start to finish, including but not limited to:

• Screen participants, obtain informed consent, schedule appointments, administer & track progress through research tasks, disburse payments.

• Orient participants to all aspects of the study including interviews/assessments, self-report questionnaires, fMRI, and 6- and 12-month follow up visits. Answer participant questions as they arise.

• Assist with preparing equipment for participant visits, and wrap-up tasks following participant visits

• Support data collection via Qualtrics for Project 3.

• Once trained by P3 staff:

  • Escort participants to Presbyterian Hospital for Project 3 imaging appointments.

  • Co-run P3 protocol, including administering pre-scan surveys, orienting participants through practice tasks, pre-screening participants, setting up fMRI scanning room, setting up participants in the scanning room, calibrating and monitoring eye-tracking data throughout scans, running tasks/collecting fMRI data throughout scans, ensuring participant comfort throughout scan.

  • Administer post-scan feedback surveys, communicating with fMRI technicians and P3 personnel regarding scan safety concerns if they arise.

• Administer and reliability score WASI II (once trained)

• Enter data and complete data audits

• Store signed consents on a separate secure database and physical copies in a filing cabinet. Ensure NIMH checklist completion for all participants consented. Reconsent participants and update checklists as needed.

• File and track data to ensure data quality and accuracy.

• Assist with pulling data when needed

• Participant in weekly supervision with the designated study investigator

• Attend study team meetings

• Ability to work independently with little supervision once trained.

• Perform other duties as related to the research project as requested by the Principal Investigators, coordinator, and/or supervisors. 

• May assist in other studies with additional duties as new grants are funded. May also support other ongoing studies if there is additional time, focusing on similar types of tasks.

• Must be able to juggle and prioritize tasks and keep open communication with the Principal Investigator and supervisors to ensure timely completion of all duties

• Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.

• Available to work evenings and/or weekends.

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