Job Summary
The Department of Neurosurgery at Mass General Brigham is hiring a full-time postdoctoral researcher to help execute an NIH-funded study examining the ethical, clinical, and legal challenges associated with the use of genetic tests for substance use disorders in clinical care (R01DA062848). The postdoctoral researcher will be part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers led by Gabriel Lázaro-Muñoz, PhD, JD, Amanda Merner, PhD, and Theresa Williamson, MD, MPH. The postdoctoral researcher will have the opportunity to lead publications, present research at conferences, and receive mentoring on grant writing. This position is NIH funded by NIH (R01DA062848), and funding is anticipated through 2030.
Qualifications
Key Responsibilities
Leadership, Training, and Program Development
- Oversee study operations and assist with coordinating all study activities between the lab and external collaborators.
- Assist with development of standard operating procedures and quality assurance systems for study
- Contribute to creation of study templates, database management, and training materials for new study staff
- Assist with training and mentoring entry-level CRCs and study interns, ensuring adherence to the lab’s standard operating procedures and best practices.
Study Coordination and Execution
- Work with study PIs to manage day-to-day study activities, including study recruitment, coordination and scheduling of study interviews, and coordination of team meetings.
- Develop and maintain project timelines, recruitment benchmarks, and operational workflows.
- Lead data collection (semi-structured interviews, surveys, chart reviews) and quality control checks, using REDCap, EPIC, and other programs.
- Assist with/lead instrument development for semi-structured interviews and experimental surveys.
- Lead data analysis (qualitative interview data and quantitative survey data) using Dedoose, Excel, R, and other programs.
- Assist with/lead preparation of manuscripts and presentations to disseminate study findings.
Regulatory and Compliance
- Prepare and maintain Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol submissions, amendments, and continuing reviews.
- Ensure compliance with study protocols, Human Subjects and Good Clinical Practice guidelines, and institutional policies.
- Prepare progress reports for key stakeholders and funders.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Doctoral degree (e.g., PhD, MD, LD) required (genetics, health sciences, social sciences, psychology, public health, neuroscience, or related field preferred)
- Strong track record of executing human subjects research including direct experience with IRB/regulatory documentation.
- Experience with building recruitment and data collection pipelines to execute both qualitative and quantitative data collection
- Experience analyzing and reporting findings from mixed-methods studies including qualitative data analysis and quantitative data analysis
- Experience preparing manuscripts for publication
- Strong interest in neuroethics, bioethics, health policy, and/or related areas
Skills & Competencies
- Ability to oversee and train others effectively.
- Strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrate a high degree of flexibility in accepting work assignments with the ability to effectively prioritize tasks, understand processes, and resolve issues
- Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple investigators and teams.