GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:

The Medical Practice Evaluation Center (MPEC) is seeking Research Assistants (Clinical Research Coordinators) to work with an internationally recognized multidisciplinary team from Massachusetts General Hospital dedicated to improving clinical outcomes, increasing value in health policy, and informing global public health through innovative research, collaboration, and education. MPEC is a dynamic, results-oriented, and diverse group that values the unique contribution of its Research Assistants.

Research Assistants will receive training on clinical and public health research topics, simulation model design and application, research software and tools, interdisciplinary collaboration, and best practices in academic research. MPEC highly values communication of its work to external audiences and is committed to cultivating the presentation skills of Research Assistants - skills that are essential in virtually every field. Research Assistants work within a larger research community at Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School that provides exposure to a breadth of interdisciplinary collaboration, access to lectures, and training on a wide array of topics, including programming languages, writing, presentation skills, phlebotomy, ethics, and clinical topics. MPEC values individual mentorship and career development for Research Assistants evident in opportunities for coauthorship on peer-reviewed manuscripts, clinical shadowing, presentations at conferences, and references for future jobs and schooling. Research Assistants in our group frequently go on to pursue careers in medicine, public health, epidemiology, global health, and health policy research, as well as careers in economics, public policy, biostatistics, and non-governmental organizations.

Research Assistants will work with investigators in the Epidemiology and Implementation pillar within MPEC.

The Epidemiology and Implementation pillar develops, implements, and evaluates interventions to improve engagement in medical carein the United States and international settings. Past and current projects include:

• Establishing an international registry of dermatologic manifestations of COVID-19, which led to the discovery of "COVID toes" as a sequela

• An evaluation of pre-therapy HIV adherence counseling, which eliminated delays between eligibility and initiation of HIV therapy in sub-Saharan Africa

• Established one of the first routine HIV screening programs in South Africa, which has since been incorporated into routine practice

• Evaluating the clinical impact of a policy change to allow virologically stable HIV patients to pick up medications at community venues in South Africa

• Quantitative measurement of the effects of HIV on aging and heart disease in rural Uganda

• Investigating the role of maternal HIV infection in the development of early childhood infection

• Studying low-barrier service delivery mechanisms for sexually-transmitted infection screening and prevention out of the MGH Sexual Health Clinic and in partnership with community organizations in the Boston area

• A pilot project to offer HIV prevention and family planning to young women in community venues (such as hair salons) in South Africa

Application Process:

Interested candidates should apply via www.massgeneral.org/careers website using Job ID 3261614.

When applying, please upload:

(1) Cover letter specific to the role in our Center

(2) Resume

(3) Transcript (unofficial transcript is OK)

Applications that do not include all three components will NOT be considered.

The start date for this position will be in June/July 2024, with the option for an earlier start date. If interested in an earlier start date, please specifically note this in your cover letter.

For more information regarding our group, please visit https://mpec.massgeneral.org.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

MPEC Research Assistants participate in all phases of research projects, from conception and design of studies through analysis and writing manuscripts for submission to academic journals.

Responsibilities may include, for example:

Implementation pillar-specific task

• Design and manage study databases, generate data queries, and participate in data cleaning efforts
• Analyze quantitative data as part of cohort studies, clinical trials, and implementation studies
• Code qualitative data from in-depth interviews and focus groups
• Partner with international collaborators and study staff on oversight of studies, standard operating procedure development and review, and data quality assurance

Cross-pillar task

• Assist in writing abstracts and designing posters for submission to research conferences
• Present study results to project teams and external stakeholders
• Assist with the preparation of Data Use Agreements, Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications, and related documents regarding the protection of human subjects
• Perform systematic literature reviews and synthesize relevant data
• Help prepare grant applications
• Provide administrative support as needed, including organizing meetings and preparing slides for lectures and seminars

Qualifications

The position requires a bachelor's degree, with an academic record demonstrating experience and skills in analytical thinking and/or quantitative methods. Candidates should also demonstrate skill in organization, time management, and both verbal and written communication.

Additional qualifications include:

• Advanced attention to detail
• Problem-solving skills
• Experience with data organization and analysis
• Proficiency with standard Microsoft Office software (particularly Excel), as well as interest in learning new software applications
• Ability to work as part of a diverse team, including remote collaboration
• Intellectual independence and initiative
• Interest in decision science, simulation modeling and analysis, public health, health policy, economics, and/or medicine
• Excellent academic record

Additional experience that is helpful but not required:

• Previous research experience (classroom-based or professional), including investigator-initiated clinical research studies, decision science research and/or simulation tools, or qualitative research methods
• Experience in international or intercultural settings
• Familiarity with statistical programming software such as SAS, Stata, Python, or R
• Database design and management experience, particularly with REDCap or Access

Working Conditions:

Duties will be carried out in a hybrid format, with time split between a typical office environment and a remote environment. We value work-life balance, and hours will typically be a standard 40 hours per week from Monday to Friday. Hours outside the 9-5 workday may be requested on occasion, with overtime compensation as appropriate, particularly around grant submission deadlines.

In keeping with our overarching mission to reduce health disparities and other disparities in vulnerable populations, the Medical Practice Evaluation Center is specifically committed to recruiting a diverse team of individuals across race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and ability backgrounds to ensure that our science is informed by and responsive to the communities we aim to serve. The Center strives to become a leader in developing and maintaining increased representation, recognition, and support of each of these dimensions of diversity among all of its members.

Skills/Abilities/Competencies Required:

• Quantitative, analytical, computer, and English language (spoken and written) skills are required.

EEO Statement

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. Applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged.