Research Specialist

The MGH Center for Global Health (CGH) serves as a hub for the hospital's global health community. It allows MGH to amplify its commitment to and advancements in research, innovation, and compassionate care in ways that impact the lives of the most underserved people - across the country and around the globe. Its strategic focus areas include:

• Facilitating partnerships with academia, governments, philanthropists and corporations to expand the footprint of global health initiatives.

• Supporting research and innovations to maximize breakthroughs to address some of global health's most pressing issues.

• Promoting nursing leadership and increasing quality of patient care in the most underserved communities

• Expanding bidirectional education and learning of the next generation of global health scientists, researchers, and clinicians.

• Responding to humanitarian emergencies -natural or man-made.

The Research Specialist for Haiti will work on multiple studies under the supervision and mentorship of Sr. Program Manager for Research and Principal Investigator engaged in social science and clinical research in Haiti. These studies are related to cholera surveillance and prevention, typhoid, tuberculosis, and other issues.

We seek an experienced epidemiologist and/or public health specialist with a focus on public health surveillance, specializing in conducting field investigations of diverse diseases under epidemiological surveillance and responding effectively to emerging health threats.

This is a 1-year funded position with potential for renewal.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Indicate key areas of responsibility, major job duties, special projects and key objectives for this position. These items should be evaluated throughout the year and included in the written annual evaluation.

• Collects & organizes patient data

• Maintains records and databases

• Uses software programs to generate graphs and reports

• Assists with recruiting patients for clinical trials

• Obtains patient study data from medical records, physicians, etc.

• Conducts library searches

• Verifies accuracy of study forms

• Updates study forms per protocol

• Documents patient visits and procedures

• Assists with regulatory binders and QA/QC procedures

• Assists with interviewing study subjects

• Administers and scores questionnaires.

• Provides basic explanation of study and in some cases obtains informed consent from subjects

• Performs study procedures, which may include phlebotomy.

• Assists with study regulatory submissions

• Writes consent forms

• Verifies subject inclusion/exclusion criteria

• Performs administrative support duties as required

• Manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously

• Coordinate research activities including data collection, cleaning and quality control

• Assist with the creation of and/or training on project-specific data collection systems

• Conduct preliminary data analysis and report summary of results with guidance from the PI

• Perform systematic literature reviews and synthesize relevant data

• Aid in abstract and manuscript preparation, as well as presentation of study results

• Prepare Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications and monitor for renewals

• Organize and take minutes at group meetings when applicable

• Help to prepare slides and/or posters for presentations

• Provide general administrative support to all project members including logistics (e.g. scheduling travel, meetings, submitting receipts, ordering materials)

• Liaise with local and international partner organizations to provide program support.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Careful attention to details

• Good organizational skills

• Ability to follow directions

• Effective time management

• Good communication skills

• Computer literacy

• Working knowledge of clinical research protocols

• Ability to demonstrate respect and professionalism for subjects' rights and individual needs

• Ability to work independently and as a team player

• Analytical skills and ability to resolve technical problems

• Ability to interpret acceptability of data results

• Working knowledge of data management program

• Proficiency with standard office software, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and standard internet applications

• Familiarity with other software packages, or ability to learn new ones, such as Stata, SAS, R, Redcap, NVIVO, or Microsoft Access is a plus

• Demonstrated interest in health equity and social justice preferred

• Must demonstrate superior organizational, administrative, leadership and communication skills

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

QUALIFICATIONS: (MUST be realistic, neither overstated nor understated, and related to the essential functions of the job.)

• Master's degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, International Development, or related field is required

• At least 3 years of experience living and working in Haiti

• At least 4 years of international experience developing, coordinating, and implementing research projects

• Previous experience with epidemiological data analysis and grant-writing

SKILLS/ ABILITIES/ COMPETENCIES REQUIRED: (MUST be realistic, measurable, objective, and related to the essential functions of the job.)

• Written and spoken fluency in Haitian Creole, French, and English,

WORKING CONDITIONS: Describe the conditions in which the work is performed.

• Boston-based, office setting with hybrid work schedule.