Research Assistant

Unit: School Of Nursing

Department: Community and Practice Engagement

Duties & Responsibilities:

VCU School of Nursing is seeking a part-time Research Assistant to support a maternal–infant health pilot study examining prenatal cannabis use, mood and anxiety symptoms, and maternal and infant outcomes. Responsibilities include participant recruitment, data collection, biological specimen handling, and regulatory support within clinical and hospital research settings. Clinic hours with occasional early morning, evening, or weekend availability may be required to accommodate participant scheduling. This role involves direct interaction with pregnant participants in a prenatal clinic and requires professionalism, discretion, and comfort discussing sensitive health topics. This position is well-suited for students or recent graduates planning careers in medicine, nursing, public health, psychology, or maternal-child health who are seeking hands-on clinical research experience.

Responsibilities include:

• Recruit and screen participants in a prenatal clinic
• Schedule and coordinate study visits
• Collect data using REDCap and support daily mobile surveys (EMA)
• Assist with maternal and newborn specimen collection and handling per protocol (instruction, labeling, transport, documentation)
• Assist with preparation and support of non-diagnostic research ultrasound sessions (training provided)
• Maintain regulatory documentation and perform data quality checks
• Support study communications and coordination
• Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled student or recent graduate in nursing, public health, psychology, social work, health sciences, or a related health discipline
• Prior Research Assistant experience or experience working on human-subjects research studies and directly interacting with research participants
• Professional communication skills and comfort interacting with pregnant participants and discussing sensitive health topics
• Ability to work independently
• Dependable, reliable, strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to complete required onboarding (HIPAA/CITI training, background check, immunizations)
• Availability to work 8–12 hours per week, with most hours occurring during weekday daytime clinic schedules and occasional early morning, evening, or weekend visits depending on participant needs
• Ability to work on-site at VCU clinical and hospital locations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in maternal–child health, perinatal care, behavioral health, or community health research
• Experience using REDCap or other electronic data capture systems
• Interest in contributing to manuscripts or grant-funded research

Position will remain open until filled, with a priority application date of May 1.

Please note that this position is fully on-site, and regular on-site presence is expected.

Please note that this position requires flexible hours, including occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends.

Hourly Range: $20/hour

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 8-12

Contact Information: Contact Name: Bruna Soria Galvarro
Contact Email: soriagalvaba@vcu.edu