Clinical Research Assistant I - CDP

This position will be in support of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences’ Consortium for Defense Psychology (CDP), which is based in Bethesda, MD. The Clinical Research Assistant I will assist with activities related to CDP’s mission, which is to lead the development of a community of military culturally mindful and clinically competent providers through the delivery of high-quality training and education, the convening of experts, and the dissemination of research-based treatment and the latest topics in military behavioral health.

Responsibilities

• Supports multiple behavioral health research studies conducted by the Consortium for Defense Psychology, including a clinical trial evaluating cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and other ongoing research projects.
• Supports the day-to-day implementation of research protocols, including participant recruitment, screening, enrollment, scheduling, tracking, follow-up, and other study-related activities in accordance with approved protocols and study procedures.
• Conducts or assists with the informed consent process for research participants in accordance with Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved procedures and applicable human-subjects research requirements.
• Works approximately 50% of the time on site at the mental health clinic at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, supporting study implementation and coordination with clinic personnel.
• Serves as an on-site point of contact for assigned research activities and maintains regular communication with clinical staff, investigators, research coordinators, and other study personnel to facilitate study operations.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with clinic leadership and staff and coordinates study activities to minimize disruption to routine clinical operations.
• Assists with identification and recruitment of potentially eligible participants using IRB-approved recruitment procedures and materials.
• Collects, enters, organizes, tracks, and performs quality-control review of research data and maintains study databases, participant tracking systems, and research records.
• Maintains accurate and complete study documentation, including participant records, regulatory documentation, recruitment and enrollment records, and other study materials as required.
• Assists investigators and research staff with monitoring recruitment, enrollment, retention, data completeness, and other study milestones and identifies operational issues requiring attention.
• Participates in research team meetings and communicates study progress, recruitment challenges, protocol issues, and site-level concerns to investigators and other study personnel.
• Assists with preparation of study materials, reports, presentations, manuscripts, regulatory submissions, and other research products as needed.
• Conducts research activities in accordance with study protocols, standard operating procedures, IRB requirements, applicable regulations, and policies governing the protection of human research participants.
• May support additional CDP research studies and perform other research-related duties and responsibilities as assigned or directed by the supervisor. This may include attendance of and participation in required training for the role.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree. Minimum of 0-2 years experience required.

Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of or ability to learn procedures for conducting human-subjects and clinical research.
• Ability to interact professionally with research participants, behavioral health clinicians, military personnel, investigators, and other research staff.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent research activities and maintain accurate study documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication and analytical skills.
• Ability to follow research protocols, regulatory requirements, general instructions, and established study procedures.
• Ability to work independently at an off-site clinical location while maintaining effective communication with the broader research team.
• Experience with research data collection, database management, participant recruitment, or clinical research coordination preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a T1 Public Trust background check.

Physical Capabilities

Ability to stand or sit at a computer for prolonged period.

Work Environment

This position will take place in office and clinical research settings. Approximately 50% of the position will require on-site work at the mental health clinic at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, with the remaining work performed at CDP/USU or other approved work locations based on study needs.