Research Assistant (Fixed Term Contract)

Job Title: Research Assistant

Reports to: Project Supervisor (PROSPECT Project)

Location / Hours: San Juan, Puerto Rico / Part-Time

Type of Contract: Fixed Term Contract (through April 2027)

Overview Of The Organization

The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust (“PRSTRT” or “Trust”) is a private non-profit organization created in 2004 to encourage and promote innovation, transfer, and commercialization of technology and creation of jobs in the technology sector. We contribute to Puerto Rico’s public policy for science, technology, research, and development. The Trust’s mission is to invest, facilitate and build capacity to continually advance Puerto Rico's economy and its citizens’ well-being through innovation-driven enterprises, science, technology, research, and public health. Our vision is that Puerto Rico is a globally recognized innovation hub.

Purpose

The Research Assistant will recruit participants through community outreach, conduct interviews and measurements according to protocol, perform clinical measurements, collect and check data, and report on study progress from the field. The Research Assistant will work at various sites across Puerto Rico (so current residence can be anywhere in the island including Vieques/Culebra) and with a team of investigators in Boston, Puerto Rico, and other US sites.

Key Responsibilities And Duties

• Contact potential study participants for screening and recruitment, following protocol.
• Collect information from participants through observation, structured interviews, clinical measurements, biospecimen sampling, or other research methods, following strict protocols, at clinical sites throughout regions of the island (car needed, transportation costs covered).
• Record and/or code data according to established protocols (both in electronic database and on paper).
• Ensure collected biospecimens are properly handled and delivered according to protocol.
• Performs quality control checks on data, and study materials.
• Make periodic reports of project status to supervisors or other research team personnel.
• Inform supervisors or other research team personnel of key project matters, including adverse events.
• Assist with preparation and dissemination of regular program communications, including progress reports, documents for publication and/or presentation, website content, newsletters for participants, community partners reports, etc.
• Attend regular staff meetings and trainings onsite, offsite, and online.
• Other study-related tasks as they become necessary.
  
  

Qualifications & Technical Job Requirements

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, and ability to follow detailed protocols.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to reliably work independently as well as part of a team.
• Strong communication skills.
• Proficient with computer systems and software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with electronic data capturing system and/or databases is desired.
• Ability to travel within the island regularly as needed (i.e. car needed, transportation costs covered).
  
  

Experience & Educational Requirements

• Two or more years of related work experience in clinical research or health research study; a combination of experience and education will be considered.
• Must be fully fluent in English and Spanish.
• Experience in research settings is highly desirable.
• Must pass Human Subjects Research certifications.
  
  

“The Trust is an equal opportunity employer; we strive to maintain a workplace atmosphere that is free from discrimination. To those ends, the Trust provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, social status, political affiliation, religion, physical or mental disability, veteran status, perceived or real domestic violence victim status, sexual harassment victim status, stalking victim status, and/or any other basis protected by law.”