The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. USC is consistently ranked among the nation’s most prestigious universities, and the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology features one of the world’s best degree and research programs in gerontology. The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology has an international reputation as a hub of aging research and with additional strong programs throughout the university, leads the way in defining and advancing the field of gerontology: https://gero.usc.edu

The Vascular Senescence & Cognition (VaSC) Lab research focuses on studies of vascular aging and cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults through investigation into biofluid markers, brain MRI scans, cardiovascular physiology and neuropsychological testing.

The USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology is seeking a Project Assistant to join the VaSC Lab. Under supervision of the Research Project & Laboratory Manager, senior lab personnel and the Principal Investigator, the Project Assistant will participate in a variety of study coordination and data collection activities for an NIH-funded longitudinal human subjects study in the Vascular Senescence and Cognition (VaSC) Lab.

This is a full-time non-exempt position that will require substantial commitment and flexibility. This position requires no more than 25% time traveling within the Southern California region and will be 100% in person (on-campus). 

Responsibilities include:

• Assist with participant recruitment, screening for eligibility, and scheduling

• Coordinate related participant activities, including arranging parking and/or transportation, preparing study materials and spaces, greeting participants, and accompanying them to different on-campus locations for procedures

• transporting participant biological specimens (e.g., blood) from the clinic phlebotomist to the laboratory

• Data collection activities will include conducting comprehensive neuropsychological assessments, structured phone interviews, scoring assessments, and entering data

• Assist in training volunteer research assistants on study procedures and coordinate data collection workflow with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and lab manager

• Will also have the opportunity to learn basic blood processing procedures and assist during MRI scans.

• Will provide administrative support as needed or requested by Lab Manager and PI (e.g., ordering supplies and materials, preparing documents for regulatory reviews, etc.)

The ideal candidate should have experience in working with older adult research participants in clinical studies. Specific experience in subject recruitment, retention, communication, standardized psychological testing, data entry, and data management, coordination of clinical research activities, and collaborating with an interdisciplinary research team is desired.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, or related fields preferred

• Experience interacting directly with human research participants, clinical patients, or clients

• Experience assisting in an academic or clinical research environment

• Experience conducting clinical interviews and/or neuropsychological assessments

• Experience working with the older adult population (60 years and older)

• Ability to organize, prioritize and schedule adequate time to complete daily workload with multiple priorities

• General knowledge of experimental research procedures

• Demonstrated ability to use a computer and software, including Microsoft Office Suite

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: HS Diploma

• Experience: 0-6 mo.

• Field of Expertise: Knowledge of data collection procedures and some experience with data analysis. Knowledge of data collection procedures and some experience with proposal preparation and production of technical documents

• Excellent interpersonal skills are needed for interaction with participants.

Benefits include a competitive salary, and a rich array of USC benefits including healthcare (including dental and vision), 403(b), tuition reimbursement, national holidays, paid vacation, and more.

The hourly compensation range for this position is $26.72 to $29.11. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

This position is funded by a research contract/grant  and may be funded by a subsequent contract/grant . Accordingly, your position is contingent upon receipt of the necessary funding from this or any subsequent contract/grant  to continue employment.

If you are interested, please submit your completed application, including a cover letter and resume with references. Thank you for your interest!

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the  Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring  ordinance . We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at  uschr@usc.edu .  Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

Minimum Education: High school or equivalent Minimum Experience: 1 year Minimum Field of Expertise: Knowledge of data collection procedures and some experience with proposal preparation and production of technical documents