RESEARCH SPECIALIST I, School of Medicine, Neurology

This position is for the CTE Center, the Research Specialist I position is to ensure integrity and consistency of clinical data, and data collection for the UNITE Study at the BU School of Medicine Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center (CTE). This position requires the application of technical and analytical skills, subject area of knowledge, and excellent organization and communication skills to complete a variety of tasks across disciplines with limited supervision. Responsibilities include coordinating brain donations, performing brain dissections and collecting brain samples, and cutting and staining brain tissue for immunohistochemical analyses. The incumbent oversees a larger organizational project to process the large volume of incoming cases. To this end, the incumbent works with our data-core team to create specimen tracking databases, trains and manages interns and provides training and oversight to a work group of research assistants who assist with incoming cases. The incumbent is involved in several collaborations with our statistical team.

Required Skills

Oversee project to process, store, and track incoming brain donations. This project requires the incumbent to (1) collaborate with the data-core team to build tracking systems for microscope slides and other banked specimens, (2) Coverage for receiving and securing brain donation intake. Assist as point of contact for all brain donors next-of-kin and family members. Acquire clinical data for brain donors by leading family interviews with next-of-kin and/or family members. Acquire and review medical records for clinical data and utilize this data to produce consensus summary forms. Coordinate brain donations at the time of the donors passing. This includes coordinating with funeral homes and pathology dieners for brain extraction and delivery, presenting at the lab for tissue delivery, coordinating and performing brain dissection and preservation. Prepare data analysis and findings for case conferences. Provide backup as the lead moderator of the bi-weekly and monthly consensus conference meetings. Assist with the coordination of case data documentation for scientific manuscript preparation and journal submissions. Assist with all aspects of the research projects including study design, and analysis of data. Assist with any other research activities assigned by the supervisor which may include scheduling meetings, sending emails, and coordinating communication with the Data Core and Brain Bank Cores.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.