"Research Assistant, Department of Psychiatry"

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Assistant, Department of Psychiatry at its Detroit campus location. Under the direction of the Principal Investigator, provide scientific and technical assistance to complete laboratory based, clinical or population science research. May assist in writing research protocols and in manuscript preparation. Design and perform research protocols independently or as directed through training in more difficult or specialized procedures to meet the needs of the research protocol.

Perform laboratory based scientific techniques or clinical/population science (human subjects) research. Design and perform experiments, recruit participants for studies by developing surveys and interviewing candidates. Participate in implementing research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory and protocol guidelines. Assist staff with experiments/research protocols as required. Communicate with principal investigator and Postdoctoral scholars/fellows on the status of research.

Collect and log laboratory results, clinical outcomes and/or survey data. Evaluate and perform data analysis using graphs, charts or tables to highlight the key points of the research results collected in accordance with the research protocols as stipulated. Proofread and edit research data and documents to ensure accuracy.

Assist principal investigator with writing methods and summarizing/organizing data to be used in preparing and presenting presentations for professional, scientific and academic conferences and submittal to academic and scholarly peer-reviewed journals.

Maintain the laboratory work areas including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment as required. Order and organize required research supplies and records. Maintain cleanliness and organization of work station. Perform other related duties as assigned.

The Trauma History Investigation of Neurodevelopment in Kids (THINK) Lab, directed by Dr. Hilary Marusak at Wayne State University, is seeking an experienced full-time Research Assistant to serve as the primary study coordinator for a new collaborative clinical trial in partnership with Drs. Christine Rabinak and Leslie Lundahl. This NIH-funded study investigates whether the FDA-approved cannabidiol (Epidiolex) can enhance the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The research takes a comprehensive, multimodal approach, including neuroimaging (fMRI), biomarker collection and analysis, clinical assessments, and self-report measures.

Ideal candidates will have at least 5 years of experience coordinating clinical research, especially in neuroscience, psychology, or related disciplines. The successful applicant will lead day-to-day study operations, train and manage a research team, and serve as a liaison between participants, investigators, regulatory offices, and clinical partners.

Recruit, screen, and enroll participants in accordance with IRB-approved protocols. Obtain informed consent, schedule study visits, and maintain regular participant communication. Oversee day-to-day study operations, including team training and scheduling. Administer structured interviews, behavioral assessments, and psychological questionnaires. Coordinate MRI scans and biospecimen collection (blood, saliva, urine); process and ship per protocol. Prepare and manage IRB submissions, amendments, and continuing reviews. Maintain accurate, complete study records and ensure regulatory compliance. Maintain detailed logs, spreadsheets, and tracking systems to monitor study progress, enrollment, visit completion, and data collection timeline; proactively identify and address barriers to enrollment. Support budget tracking, billing compliance, and communication with administrative staff. Develop and update study materials (e.g., consent forms, source documents, recruitment flyers). Participate in lab and sponsor meetings; collaborate with Wayne Health, MR Research Facility, and Lipidomics Core. Support additional lab research projects and administrative tasks as needed.