Research Assistant

**Alfred Health**

Alfred Health is a leader in health care delivery, improvement, research and education. We are the main provider of health services to people living in the inner southeast suburbs of Melbourne, from ambulatory, to inpatient and home and community based services.

**Research Assistant Position - Alfred Hospital Neurology Clinical Trials**
- Fixed Term 12 months (with potential of renewal)
- Full Time (76 hours per fortnight)
- Classification: Medical Scientist Grade 1 or 2 depending on experience
- Loaction: Alfred Hospital

**The Department**
The Department of Neurology has long been recognised as one of the major clinical and research strengths of Alfred Health. Core activities of the department include:
Clinical services: The Neurology Unit at The Alfred is recognised as one of the premier clinical neurology departments. There are specialist clinics (and consultants with particular expertise) in Movement Disorders, Neuropathy, Headache, Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, Stroke and Neurogenetics. There is an active Neurophysiology Department providing EEG, EMG, Evoked potential studies and Tremor analysis and a strong neuropsychology service. The intensive care unit, trauma service, state-wide heart-lung transplant service and the HIV service result in complex referrals such that inpatient inter-unit consultations are a central element of the unit’s work and expertise.
Research: The Department currently is involved in both translational research and clinical research in clinical trials. Clinical research, including clinical trials and observational practice, are closely integrated with the clinical services of the Department - enhancing clinical care outcomes, treatment options for our patients, and promoting innovation and advances in neurological practice. Subspecialties in which clinical trials are performed include, Epilepsy, Neurotrauma, Dementing and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Movement Disorders, Headache and Pain, Demyelinating Disorders and Stroke. The infrastructure for clinical trials in the Alfred Department of Neurology will be greatly enhanced with the opening early in 2018 of the new dedicated Neurology Clinical Trials unit in 7 West, which has capacity for early stage (First in Disease) clinical trials and overnight stay.
Education and training: to both undergraduate and postgraduate medical and science students and advanced trainees in neurology.
Commercialisation and industry engagement: including commercialisation of discoveries emanating from the basic and clinical research program, and engagement with industry to trial and develop advances in neurological treatment.

**The Role**
This is a full-time Research Assistant position working on the clinical development program of sodium selenate as a treatment for tauopathies, enabling the successful applicant to work within a nationwide group of clinician researchers.
The primary responsibility of the Research Assistant will be to assist the Project Manager in the day to day running of two nationwide clinical trials of sodium selenate for tauopathies. The Research Assistant will work with the Project Manager to ensure the continued successful running of these trials, which will include Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and Research Governance submissions, liaising with Investigators and Coordinators at study sites to ensure compliance with the protocol, liaising with study partners and contractors to ensure adequate supply of the drug is available at site, coordination and management of study supplies, accurate maintenance of the study databases, including biospecimen and imaging inventories, and analysing study data. The Research Assistant will chair the monthly coordinator meetings as well as preparing documents and presentations for data safety monitoring board and investigator meetings. The position requires a person with exceptional organisational and communication skills.
The ideal applicant will have a background in clinical research in neurology, experience in HREC submissions and an interest in neuroimaging. Neuroimaging (MRI and PET) is a major component of these trials, and the broader interests of the research group performing basic image analysis as well as supporting other staff and students in imaging-based projects. Appropriate training and supervision for this will be provided by the Project Manager and the research group, with the opportunity for broadening of skills and training as the projects evolve.

**Skills**
- Experienced research administrator with current GCP
- Excellent communicator
- Excellent organisational skills
- Experience with redcap (or other eCRF)
- Prior experience with HREC/RGO submissions and reporting

**Benefits**
This is a unique opportunity to join a vibrant research team seeking to treat neurodegenerative diseases which are currently without efficacious treatments. Salary Packaging
- Discount Health Insurance
- Onsite Gym
- Child care services

**Applications close: 11pm Thu