Research Assistant (Neurology)

The Research Assistant oversees data collection, data organization, and/or data management or similar functions/tasks for research study(ies) in support of a PI or a research team.

The Department of Neurology is seeking a Research Assistant for the Johansen Laboratory (www.johansenlab.org) in the Cerebrovascular Division at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The Johansen Lab is a collaborative clinical and data science group studying stroke etiology, vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and the heart-brain connection. This role blends patient-facing coordination with rigorous data management and statistical analysis using EMR, REDCap, and cohort datasets. The lab includes all levels from undergraduates to post-doctoral and represents a dynamic team, with collaborations across the university and outside the walls of the institution.

This position has occasional early-morning or late-afternoon coverage aligned with clinic schedules and limited off-hours availability during active enrollment periods. The role is primarily in-person with some flexibility for remote work for data/analysis tasks.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Run routine and ad hoc reports.
• Use standard tools and computer programs to review data.
• Assist with data cleaning measures to ensure accuracy of data and preparation of tables.
• Lead basic activities such as data collection and data entry.
• May lead specific tasks and develop processes to ensure study activities occur effectively and efficiently.
• May conduct literature searches to support faculty in research efforts.
• May design and format papers/publications.
• May assist PIs in writing summaries of papers for release as policy briefs or other channels.
• Other duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties described above

• Coordinate patient/participant screening, consenting, and study procedures in clinical settings in accordance with IRB-approved protocols.
• Build and maintain reproducible data pipelines (REDCap to EPIC/EMR to analysis files) and develop data dictionaries to standardize lab datasets.
• Perform statistical analyses (e.g., descriptive statistics, regression) and create clear figures/tables for presentations, manuscripts, and reports.
• Manage IRB submissions, amendments, and continuing reviews; maintain regulatory binders and ensure compliance with study protocols.
• Collaborate closely with trainees and external partners; provide guidance on data standards and analysis best practices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
• Proficiency in R or Stata, or equivalent statistical software, for data manipulation and statistical modeling.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with EPIC/EMR data workflows for research.
• Prior patient-facing research experience (screening, consenting, coordination).
• Experience with epidemiologic cohort data.
• Experience with cognitive batteries, or cognitive testing
• Experience with REDCap for data capture and data management.

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

• Analytical Skills - Awareness
• Attention to Detail - Awareness
• Data Management and Analysis - Awareness
• Formatting and Layout Proficiency - Awareness
• Information Gathering - Awareness
• Oral and Written Communications - Awareness
• Organizational Skills - Awareness

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.