Research Associate II - Spinal Outcomes Research Lab - Department of Neurosurgery

We invite you to consider this great opportunity!

When the work you do every single day has a crucial impact on the lives of others, every effort, every detail, and every second matters. This shared culture of happiness, passion, and dedication pulses through Cedars-Sinai.

About the Role

Working under direct supervision, the Research Associate II performs routine and increasingly complex laboratory tasks and procedures and develops technical expertise in one or more areas relevant to research projects. The incumbent will participate in research activities involving all aspects of the research process, to include, but not limited to; investigation, technical, testing/validation of results, and report findings. The RA II lab member will perform a variety of routine experimental protocols and procedures to support the objectives of laboratory research projects. The Associate will observe and follow safety standards and procedures, assist in preparation of data for publication and/or presentation at scholarly meetings, and assist in general laboratory maintenance. This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Designs new complex or unusual protocols and techniques.
• Keeps accurate and detailed records of experiments and results, and assist in identifying and troubleshooting of unexpected results.
• Orders laboratory supplies and supports laboratory operations.
• Maintains lab equipment and related records and may coordinate use of lab equipment.
• Assists in the operation of specialized equipment, as required by the area of research.
• Orients research laboratory assistants or lower level research associates and undergraduate student researchers on day-to-day lab operations and routine procedures.

Department-Specific Duties and Responsibilities

The Spinal Outcomes Research Lab in the Department of Neurosurgery is seeking a full-time Research Associate II to support a comprehensive, multi-modal spine research program. This role is central to the building and daily operation of a large prospective patient database and involves direct patient interaction, quantitative objective physical metric analysis of patients, and rigorous data management. This position requires flexibility to work across outpatient clinics, the operating room, and other areas of the hospital to support the needs of the research program. There will be opportunities to get involved with abstract/manuscript writing.

Some core duties would include

Patient Recruitment & Consent

• Identify and screen eligible spine patients for enrollment in ongoing research studies and the database.
• Explain study protocols, risks, and benefits to patients and obtain informed consent in accordance with IRB requirements.
• Identify enrolled patients for follow up and ensure the appropriate data is collected for them.

Data Collection

• Administer patient-reported outcome measures at patient visits.
• Collect perioperative, radiographic, and clinical data from electronic health records.
• Coordinate and schedule patient follow-up visits, including in-person, telephone, and remote data collection.
• Conduct clinical gait analysis sessions using motion-capture technology.

Database, Data Organization, and Quality control

• Enter, update, and maintain patient records within the lab's large-scale spinal outcomes database.
• Track patient enrollment, follow-up status, and data completeness across multiple concurrent studies.
• Merge and reconcile data from multiple sources (EHR, gait data, patient-reported outcomes, bio-specimen logs) into unified datasets.
• Performs routine data audits and validation checks to identify and resolve discrepancies.

Education, Experience & Skills Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a Science related field is required.
• One year of research laboratory experience is required.
• Understanding of general research objectives and experience with routine laboratory procedures and experimental protocols.
• Must possess digital literacy.

Preferred Experience

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
• Working experience with clinical database systems (e.g., REDCap).
• Informed consent processes and IRB protocols.
• Prior experience in Orthopedic, Neurosurgical, or musculoskeletal clinical outcomes' research, specifically spine outcomes.