The Psychosocial Research Program at Butler Hospital is looking to hire 1-2 full-time research assistants to work on a variety of projects relating to the prevention and treatment of suicide. Positions will start in May-June 2013. In particular, we may be hiring for projects focusing on: 1) evaluation of a new treatment for suicidal behavior (Director: Ivan Miller, Ph.D.), and 2) a multimethod assessment study leveraging genetic, psychophysiological, and ecological momentary assessment methods to predict suicide risk (Director: Michael Armey, Ph.D.). The Psychosocial Research Program, located in Providence, RI, is affiliated with Brown University Medical School. For more information about our program, please refer to our department website (moodtreatment.org) or to each faculty member’s web page.

Massachusetts General Hospital Bipolar Clinic and Research Program
Research Coordinator Position

The Massachusetts General Hospital Bipolar Clinic and Research Program (MGH BCRP) is currently seeking applicants for a Research Coordinator position in its clinical research unit. The aim of the program is to evaluate various psychiatric and psychosocial treatments for bipolar
disorder, to learn more about the causes and general course of this disorder, and to investigate the neural underpinnings through neuroimaging techniques. Our program also participates in largescale, multi-site, NIMH-, industry-, and privately-sponsored initiatives related to bipolar disorder
and its treatment.

Research Coordinators will manage and coordinate clinical studies and work closely with the clinical staff to manage patients’ care throughout the studies. Responsibilities include structured patient interviews, patient recruitment, data collection and management, grant preparation,
Institutional Review Board correspondence, phlebotomy (drawing blood), and other key administrative tasks. Additionally, Research Coordinators assist with data analysis and preparation of manuscripts.

A Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts is required. A strong background in psychology, biology, and/or health sciences is preferred. Prior research, statistical, and/or clinical experience is strongly recommended. Specifically, we seek individuals who have worked as a research assistant for at least one year as a volunteer or for pay, but not for college credit. This position
provides valuable experience for candidates interested in applying to medical school or graduate schools in psychology. This is a full-time position with a two-year commitment. Applications are being accepted for positions with either May or June start dates. Please visit us on the Web
at www.massgeneral.org/bipolar

Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Qualified candidates should send a cover letter and resume at the latest by April 25, 2014 to:

lshesler@mgh.harvard.edu
or
Leah Shesler
Massachusetts General Hospital
Bipolar Clinic and Research Program
50 Staniford St, 5th Floor, Suite 580
Boston, MA 02114

The coordinator’s responsibilities at the Center for Addiction Medicine will include serving as the primary research coordinator on a clinical research study.  Working independently and with minimal supervision, he or she will be responsible for patient scheduling and recruitment as well as all subject-oriented study procedures, such as the administration of psychiatric scales and testing protocols, the careful monitoring of adverse events and worsening psychiatric or mood disturbances, administrative duties related to the careful operation of study protocol, and database programming and quality assurance.  The coordinator will also participate in orienting, training, and supervising junior staff.

Specific responsibilities include:

-Recruit and schedule subjects for participation.

-Coordinate scheduling of study with area collaborators.

-Produce and maintain all documentation for the Institutional Review Board.

- Perform primary data collection at study visits, including neuropsychological testing and limited physiological monitoring.  Maintains all related data.

-Purchase or reimburse for all supplies required for the study; monitor study inventory.

-Collect and maintain subject information database for study using the RedCAP (Research Electronic Data Capture) or other data capture programs.  Perform quality assurance checks on database.

- Assist with data analysis and manuscript preparation.

- Prepares study reports, annual reviews, adverse event reports, and study document modifications.

Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, premedical sciences or related science, strong quantitative skills, a willingness and ability to learn, and interest in working with human research participants, and a diverse research team including psychiatrists, psychologists, neuroscientists, imaging scientists, a team of research assistants/coordinators, and support staff.

The position requires excellent organizational skills, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Good interpersonal skills, strong quantitative skills, attention to detail, the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and handle fluctuating priorities and deadlines, good communication skills, the ability to work independently as well as with others, and an interest in the work of the Center for Addiction Medicine.

One year of previous research experience is required. Computer and statistical programming skills are preferred.  Please send a cover letter and resume to Gladys Pachas, MD (gpachas1@mgh.harvard.edu)  to apply.

Research Assistant Position

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Emotion and Development Branch, Section on Bipolar Spectrum Disorders (BSD), in Bethesda, Maryland, seeks qualified individuals to fill IRTA (Intramural Research Training Award) positions, with employment starting late May/early June 2014. BSD conducts research on the pathophysiology, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, which begins in childhood. Our particular research interest involves the investigation of pediatric Bipolar Disorder and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD).

The full-time positions require a bachelor’s degree and a U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status (resident alien). A minimum commitment of one year is expected; however, a two-year commitment is preferred. Duties and responsibilities include assistance with and participation in all aspects of the research enterprise: patient and normal volunteer screening and recruitment; protocol implementation; data collection, entry, and analysis; and manuscript preparation. This work involves using computer statistical and graphics programs, preparing blood samples, and researching scientific literature. In addition, the position involves regular patient contact during outpatient clinic visits, and with inpatients. IRTAs can observe diagnostic interviews with patients and become familiar with standard psychometric procedures. IRTAs are also involved in training subjects to participate in neuroimaging and analyzing neuroimaging data.

IRTAs will work as part of a multidisciplinary research team including physicians, psychologists, clinical social workers, and psychiatric nurses at the nation’s largest medical research center, the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

Successful applicants will be awarded post-baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Fellowships, which provide opportunities for recent college graduates to spend time engaged in biomedical investigation. During their tenure in the program, post-baccalaureate fellows are also expected to initiate the application process for graduate or medical school.

Interested individuals should complete the online application found at the following website (link can be found under “Application Procedure”):
https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/postbac_irta

Interested individuals should also forward a letter of interest and resume to:
Lizzie Harkins
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institutes of Health
Department of Health and Human Services
Lizzie.harkins@nih.gov
301-402-0239
DHHS and NIH are Equal Opportunity Employers

JOB OPENINGS AT PENN POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY CENTER

There are three full time job openings for project coordinator positions at the University of Pennsylvania Positive Psychology Center, working with Dr. Karen Reivich, Dr. Martin Seligman, Peter Schulman, and Dr. Andy Schwartz. The positions start spring and summer 2014 and continue for at least two years. This is an excellent opportunity as a stepping stone for graduate school or a longer term position in our Center.

Excellent organizing and communication skills are expected for the positions, as well as a psychology background. Research experience is preferred but not essential.

* For one of the three positions, responsibilities include assisting in the coordination of our resilience training interventions, which are based largely on cognitive-behavioral techniques. This position will start sometime between April and June 2014. Twenty years of federally-funded research has shown that our programs reduce depression and anxiety and increase well-being. We now deliver these interventions to several populations, including school teachers, U.S. Army soldiers, among others. Programs use a train-the-trainer model in which individuals are taught how to deliver our resilience curricula to others.

* Responsibilities for the second opening include coordinating two related research grants that explore how people are drawn to the future (as opposed to driven by the past) through their mental and emotional representations of possible future events. Prospection can include planning, predicting, and anticipating possible events, as well as goal-directed behavior. This position will start in the late spring or summer of 2014.

* For the third opening, responsibilities include coordinating a new research grant called the World Well-Being Project (WWBP), which is pioneering big data techniques for measuring physical and psychological well-being based on language in social media. This project is a collaboration between psychologists, computer scientists, and statisticians. IT expertise is not required. This position starts in the summer of 2014. More about the project can be found at http://wwbp.org

To apply, send the following to Samantha Burton at saburton@sas.upenn.edu

* Cover letter, resume, writing sample, references w/contact info

* Send above materials as soon as convenient, then send letters of recommendation when available

* Indicate which of the positions you are interested in

* Indicate when you are available to start.

See http://www.ppc.sas.upenn.edu for general information about our Center.

Massachusetts General Hospital – Center for Women' Mental Health

Clinical Research Coordinator Position Announcement

Program Description:

The Center for Women's Mental Health is a clinical and research program within the Department of Psychiatry at MGH. Our Program is dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of psychiatric disorders associated with female reproductive function. The Program provides a range of clinical services to women which include: consultation regarding the use of psychiatric medications during pregnancy; treatment for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders; treatment for premenstrual syndrome; and treatment of menopause related mood and anxiety symptoms, sleep disorders, and hot flashes. Our research examines a wide range of questions which affect the lives of women with these conditions (see www.womensmentalhealth.org for more information).

Responsibilities:

The research coordinators in our Program are each assigned 1-2 active clinical studies, which allows them to be involved in the entire research process. This is different from most other groups in the department where the research coordinators are assigned a particular task that they perform across all of the group's trials.

The research coordinators are primarily responsible for the following research activities:

·         Managing the recruitment, screening and enrollment of research patients

·         Conducting research visits with study patients and study clinicians

·         Administering psychiatric assessments

·         Phlebotomy and specimen preparation

·         Data collection and entry, and database management

·         Preparation and submission of research protocols to the IRB

·         Ensuring compliance with the Partners IRB and other federal and institutional guidelines

·         Periodic special projects, such as a grant submission or a journal article submission

Additionally, the research coordinators are responsible for various administrative tasks such as managing our offsite record storage facility and maintaining the master research visit schedule.

Work Environment:

Currently, our group is made up of three research coordinators, the program assistant, three full time psychiatrists, including the Director, and seven part time clinicians. The research coordinators work closely with the study principal investigators and meet twice weekly as a group to review study progress. The group meets once a week for two hours to review clinical cases and ongoing research progress.

Details:

We are looking for candidates who possess at least a bachelor's degree and who can start no later than June 1, although an earlier start would be appreciated. This is a full-time salaried position.

Interested applicants may send cover letters and resumes to Melissa Burnett via email to mgburnett@partners.org or via USPS to 185 Cambridge Street, Floor 2, Boston, MA 02114.