Research Associate

Job Purpose

To support and deliver scientific and operational research activities across DPMC’s precision medicine portfolio, contributing to study design, data generation, analysis, documentation, and dissemination. The Research Associate works under the direction of investigators and senior scientists to execute protocols with high quality, maintain study documentation and compliance, coordinate cross-functional activities (lab, biobank, clinical, data), and produce analysis-ready datasets and draft scientific outputs that enable publication and translation.

Roles & Responsibilities

The Research Associate contributes across the research lifecycle with a balance of hands-on execution and structured coordination.

Lead Study execution and protocol delivery

• Execute assigned research activities across one or more programs (e.g., genomics/omics, biomarkers, clinical phenotyping, digital health research), ensuring adherence to approved protocols and timelines.
• Support protocol development and maintenance by drafting sections, SOPs, checklists, and operational workflows in collaboration with investigators.
• Track study progress, maintain task plans, and provide regular updates on milestones, issues, and dependencies.

Lead Data and sample workflow coordination

• Coordinate with clinical teams, labs, and biobank operations to support participant/sample workflows (collection, labeling, transport, storage, chain-of-custody).
• Ensure data/sample tracking is complete and accurate; maintain logs and inventories aligned to study requirements.
• Support quality checks and resolution of discrepancies in sample/data records.

Lead Data management, cleaning, and analysis support

• Perform data entry, cleaning, and QC checks; maintain analysis-ready datasets, data dictionaries, and metadata documentation.
• Support analysis through basic statistical summaries, figure/table generation, and reproducible reporting under supervision.
• Work with bioinformatics/data science teams to ensure data extracts match cohort definitions, phenotypes, and governance constraints.

Lead Research governance, ethics, and documentation

• Support ethics and governance submissions by compiling documents, coordinating signatures, tracking approvals, and maintaining version control.
• Maintain audit-ready study documentation (protocol versions, training logs, deviations, meeting minutes, consent-related artifacts where applicable).
• Ensure confidentiality and information security practices are followed in handling participant and research data.

Lead Dissemination and scientific outputs

• Support literature reviews, reference management, and drafting of sections for abstracts, posters, manuscripts, technical reports, and presentations.
• Lead internal and external reporting requirements (progress updates, deliverable summaries, collaborator reporting packs).
• Support preparation for conferences, stakeholder workshops, and internal research events.
• Drive all publication processes

Collaboration and team enablement

• Coordinate with internal stakeholders (clinicians, labs, biobank, IT/data platforms, project management) to unblock execution and ensure smooth workflows.
• Support onboarding and supervision of research assistants/interns (task guidance, QC of outputs, documentation discipline) as direct reports
• Drive continuous improvement by suggesting enhancements to SOPs, templates, and research workflows.

Qualification Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences, Molecular Biology, Genetics/Genomics, Bioinformatics, Public Health, Health Informatics, Biostatistics, Biomedical Engineering, or related.

Master’s degree in Precision Medicine-related discipline, Clinical Research, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, or related.

Experience Requirements

Minimum 10 years' experience in biomedical, clinical, translational, or population research (including previous research assistant experience).