About us:

One in five Australians are affected by a brain disorder each year. The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health has more than 600 staff and students who are passionately committed to researching the way the brain works. We are internationally renowned for our discoveries and research on the central nervous system and associated brain disorders.

About the role:

An excellent opportunity is available for a Clinical Trials Assistants (CTA) to be the participant facing representative of the Australian Epilepsy Project (AEP) central team. This role will complete screening and recruitment procedures with participants via telephone/videoconference interviews. They will maintain a relationship with participants during the follow up period and in doing so, support participant retention in the study. The CTA is also responsible for maintaining the study database. Alongside the AEP Central team, the CTA will assist in the accurate implementation of the protocol at Hub 1 to ensure complete data sets are acquired for each participant.

The Australian Epilepsy Project (AEP) is a large scale project with a planned 4000 participants using a package of both established and experimental testing in epilepsy to improve our ability to both provide accurate prognosis and diagnose surgically-curable disease. The package will include advanced MRI, neuropsychological assessment and genetic testing. It is funded by the Australian Government through the Medical Research Future Fund.

The project will be rolled out across at least 5 Hubs around Australia that will be central points for participants to access MRI scanning and genetic testing. The first such hub will be located at the Melbourne Brain Centre in Heidelberg, Victoria

The candidate will be responsible for:

• Coordinating participant referrals
• Distribution of participant completed questionnaires and diaries
• Liaising with external healthcare providers to acquire confidential medical records
• Contacting recruited participants to complete baseline medical interviews and review participant completed questionnaires
• Entering participant data in the REDcap database
• Maintaining contact with participants throughout the 24mth study period in order to complete follow up medical interviews
• Assisting with sample collection, shipping and receipt
• Assisting with coordination of research activities in line with study protocols, standard operation procedures and ICH-GCP guidelines
• Complete data cleaning and quality control to maintain the curated database

Detailed information and key responsibilities are available from the Position Description.

This position is fixed-term (until 26 August 2024),  full-time (1.0 FTE), however part-time hours will be considered for an appropriate candidate. This role attracts an annual salary offer ranging from Research Assistant 2 ($73,709) to Research Assistant 5 ($84,917), commensurate with experience.

Applicants who meet the criteria listed in the Position Description should submit their resume together with a cover letter no later than 5.00pm (AEST) on 18^th August 2023.

About you:
The successful candidate will have:

• Relevant undergraduate degree in health sciences, nursing or allied health field
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills
• Strong understanding of medical terminology (preferably in neurology area)
• Experience with speaking to patients about medical history
• Experience with research data bases such as REDcap will be highly regarded

Experience in the following is desirable:

• Knowledge or experience of epilepsy care or research
• Skills in phlebotomy
• ICH-GCP qualification
• Experience in the conduct of clinical trials

What we offer:
Working at the Florey offers you the chance to work with a dedicated group of researchers within a culture that focuses on equity, diversity and collaboration. Other benefits include:

• Generous salary packaging to maximise your benefits
• Up to 17% superannuation
• Wellbeing initiatives including flexible working opportunities and access to our employee assistance program 

For enquiries please contact our Human Resources Team on employment@florey.edu.au.

All final applicants for this position may be asked to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination or to consent to a criminal record check.