Sr. Research Assistant (Radiation Oncology & Molecular Radiation Sciences)

Johns Hopkins, founded in 1876, is America's first research university and home to nine world-class academic divisions working together as one university.

We are seeking a Sr. Research Assistant who will be research support for radiation oncology research in the central nervous system tumor program of Dr. Lawrence Kleinberg. The research focuses on a variety of areas which may change over time, and new projects may be developed.

The primary project will be using machine learning to analyze radiomic and connectomic features of MRI imaging to predict and assess tumor response to treatment. Other projects include blood and imaging biomarkers of tumor aggressiveness and response, correlating radiation dose map with later changes in imaging, immune profiling of tumor specimens using long read sequences, patient decision making, and clinical data base studies.

The Sr. Research Assistant will learn to use radiation oncology IT and treatment planning systems to organize and collect MRI scans and ultimately identify and outline areas of tumor. The Sr. Research Assistant will take the lead in working with data analysis and imaging scientist collaborators to use machine learning to develop imaging biomarker approaches to predicting and monitoring outcome. The Sr. Research Assistant will extract clinical information from the electronic health record for this and other studies.

The Sr. Research Assistant will collaborate with oncologists, neurosurgeons, and lab scientists in collecting and evaluating blood and tissue specimens with the goal of developing biomarkers. This may include obtaining informed consent for study enrollment, collecting specimens that were obtained in the operating room, and drawing blood.

The Sr. Research Assistant may participate in translational research which includes some laboratory responsibilities.

The Sr. Research Assistant, depending on contribution to the projects, will author or contribute to papers and meeting abstracts.

The position includes research activities, program implementation responsibilities and education which may vary over the course of the employment depending upon program needs and opportunities.

This position is funded by philanthropy with a duration of 1 year. A continuing position may be possible pending available funding.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• The primary duty of the Sr. Research Assistant is to work closely with Dr. Kleinberg to coordinate and conduct research projects. This includes taking the lead in interaction with patients and collaborators such as radiation oncology residents, oncologists, neurosurgeons, radiologists, data scientists, and laboratory scientists.
• Enroll in and complete all required on-the-job trainings for conduct of human subjects research as required by NIH and JHU university partners, including ethics training, good clinical practice training, oral rapid testing certification, conflict of interest and patient privacy trainings.
• Assist in study preparation activities such as editing and finalizing enrollment forms, questionnaires, operating procedures, curriculum materials, and communication flyers.
• Learn to use University electronic health systems and radiation oncology treatment planning computer systems to collect and store data.
• Learn to outline tumor regions on brain MRI using the radiation oncology treatment planning computer systems.
• Participate in co-investigator and project meetings
• Carry-out study recruitment and enrollment activities including discussing with patients identified by their medical providers and obtaining informed consent documentation.
• Obtain clinical information as permitted by IRB approved studies from the health record and enter into secure databases.
• Transport specimens obtained in the operating room or phlebotomy units to laboratories.
• If Sr. Researcher Assistant is certified in phlebotomy, there may be occasions when blood specimens will need to be drawn although use of dedicated phlebotomy is generally preferred.
• Participating in educational activities is encouraged.
• Participate in supervising students working on the projects.
• Contribute to analysis of data
• Present work at internal and external meetings when appropriate
• Write or contribute to writing scientific papers
• The majority of research activities will require in-person work. The Sr. Research Assistant will be expected to interact with patients, collect specimens and meet with collaborators. A portion of the work may be done remotely as determined by Dr. Kleinberg or his designee.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
• Two years of related experience.
• 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

• Master’s Degree is preferred in Public Health, Medical Informatics, Biology,,, Biostatistics,, or related field or a MD degree.
• Experience working in an academic research setting.
• Experience working in a research lab.
• Experience or training in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.
• Phlebotomy experience preferred but not required

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced computer skills to include MS Office applications, as well as experience with software such as Adobe Acrobat and EndNote (or other reference manager).
• Knowledge of or ability to learn Redcap
• Ability to work via phone, virtual, and/or video-conferencing platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams).
• Able to work autonomously and meet required deadlines, including having independent decision-making and trouble-shooting abilities.
• Strong communication and organization skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Highly motivated individual with ability to work on multiple and competing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, professional demeanor and the ability to quickly build relationships with team members and community partners.

Classified Title: Sr. Research Assistant
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MB
Starting Salary Range: $41,300 $72,300 Annually ($55,000 targeted; Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F, 8:30am-5:00pm
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Hybrid/School of Medicine Campus
Department name: SOM Rad Onc Clinical Faculty and Staff
Personnel area: School of Medicine