We are seeking four Research Assistants to support the KUPAA research study at designated hospital psychiatry clinics.
The successful candidates will support participant recruitment, screening, informed consent, interviews, surveys, research documentation, and qualitative and quantitative data collection. They will work closely with psychiatry clinic staff, clinicians, patients, caregivers, and the wider study team to ensure research activities are conducted accurately, ethically, and according to study protocols.
Key Responsibilities
- Screen potential research participants according to study eligibility criteria.
- Conduct informed consent procedures and respond to participant questions.
- Conduct in-depth interviews and administer surveys to patients and caregivers.
- Maintain accurate participant, eligibility, and study records while protecting confidential information.
- Follow the KUPAA study protocol, procedures, timelines, and confidentiality requirements.
- Complete required research training, including human subjects protection and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
- Participate in study training, team meetings, and weekly study-team meetings.
- Coordinate clinician-rated PANSS assessments with qualified clinical staff.
- Prepare and maintain consent forms, case report forms, registers, adverse-event logs, and other study documents.
- Maintain organised regulatory and source documentation.
- Assist with qualitative coding, codebook development, and data analysis.
- Support IRB submissions, activity plans, and study progress reports.
- Assist with day-to-day study coordination, scheduling, communication, and protocol compliance.
- Promote ethical research practices and appropriately report suspected research misconduct.
- Perform other research duties assigned by the study team.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Nursing, Counselling Psychology, Social Work, Sociology/Demography, or another relevant field.
- Minimum 3 years of relevant experience.
- Previous experience conducting quantitative and qualitative data collection.
- Previous health-related research experience is an advantage.
- Experience using REDCap is an added advantage.
- Knowledge of research governance, human subjects protection, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
- Experience with transcription and translation between English and Swahili.
- Ability to communicate sensitively and professionally with patients and caregivers.
- Ability to work confidently with individuals experiencing cognitive decline or psychotic symptoms.
- Strong communication and active-listening skills.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
- Ability to work both independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
- Basic computer proficiency, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, email, and internet use.
- Proficiency in English and Swahili.
