Research Assistant

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

The Division of Infectious Diseases is looking for a Research Assistant to provide technical and research-oriented services with a multidisciplinary research team to support the conduct of wide range of clinical trials and investigator-initiated studies in infectious diseases including HIV prevention and treatment clinical research studies and vaccine studies.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic clinical research team, with the primary goal of providing the highest quality clinical care, teaching, and research in the best academic tradition. The candidate will assist a multidisciplinary team of researchers in the implementation and conduct of biomedical research studies in the laboratory and the clinic, including epidemiological and clinical research studies that evaluate assessment of attitudes towards HIV prevention and uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Responsibilities

• Complete complex assignments while following standard protocols and standard operating procedures that require technical proficiency and the ability to make detailed observations and manipulations.
• Perform PBMC isolation and cryopreservation, biopsy processing, and assisting with diverse laboratory techniques. These techniques include virologic assays, genotyping, and serum and plasma separation
• Perform assays; preparation of stock or working solutions; calibration of equipment for experiments; and specimen accession, processing, and quality control, in accordance with assigned protocols.
• Responsible for entering data into the appropriate database; perform quality assurance activities as assigned to ensure that study data are entered and transmitted in a timely fashion.
• Assist in developing / implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) including assisting with participant retention.
• Ensure that data and study samples are collected, transported, and stored in accordance with study protocols.
• Assist the research staff in preparing appropriate clinical and laboratory forms, materials and documentation to ensure that the protocol mandated procedures are followed accurately.
• Conduct the informed consent procedures and obtain a signed informed consent prior to initiating study related procedures.
• Assist with participant recruitment, administering questionnaires and collecting data in accordance with study protocols.
• Assist with analysis, interpretation and presentation of collected data.
• Ensure communication between members of the team and the clinic.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least 1.5 years of related experience or equivalent in education, training and experience
• Bright, self-motivated and highly organized
• Strong decision-making skills and ability to problem solve
• Orientation to detail, ability to maintain accurate records, and handle multiple projects and interact with staff at all levels Computer skills and strong communication skills
• Comfortable working independently as well as with others in a clinical research setting

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with young adults and adolescents discussing sexual health and sexual risk
• Knowledge of HIV prevention strategies, HIV / AIDS and Infectious disease or other clinical and laboratory research Prior experience managing datasets
• Spanish Language skills
• Phlebotomy training

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 research subjects
• Potential bloodborne pathogens exposure
• Successful completion of applicable compliance and systems training requirements

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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