Research Assistant II - Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences' RECOVER

The Research Assistant II will support the RECOVER clinical trial, a multi-center study evaluating Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy for individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), conducted at the Center for Interventional Psychiatry (CIP) at the UCT Clinic. This position plays a critical role in participant identification, eligibility determination, study coordination, and long-term follow-up of participants enrolled in VNS research.

The position requires extensive review and interpretation of psychiatric and medical records to determine study eligibility, including assessment of prior antidepressant medication trials, psychotherapy history, psychiatric hospitalizations, neuromodulation treatments, medical comorbidities, and other factors relevant to treatment-resistant depression. The Research Assistant II must be able to synthesize complex clinical information and communicate findings effectively to investigators and clinical staff.

Responsibilities include participant recruitment, informed consent, clinical and research assessments, regulatory documentation, data collection, and coordination of study procedures across screening, implantation, and longitudinal follow-up phases. The Research Assistant II will work closely with psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, research coordinators, sponsors, and study participants to ensure compliance with study protocols, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and regulatory requirements.

This position is ideal for individuals with advanced training in health sciences, psychology, psychiatry, or medicine who are interested in clinical research involving treatment-resistant depression, neuromodulation, and interventional psychiatry. Schedule is Monday through Friday, with routine start times at 8:00 AM, at our Center for Interventional Psychiatry Clinic. Occasional flexibility may be required based on participant schedules and study needs.

Candidates may possess a Master’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Public Health, Clinical Research, Nursing, Social Work, or a related health sciences field, or an MD (or equivalent) obtained outside the United States that does not require U.S. licensure for this research position. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong knowledge of psychiatric disorders, including treatment-resistant depression, as well as psychopharmacology, psychotherapy interventions, and common medical comorbidities.

Experience conducting comprehensive medical record reviews and synthesizing complex psychiatric and medical histories is essential, along with the ability to evaluate prior medication trials, psychotherapy treatments, psychiatric hospitalizations, and neuromodulation interventions to support study eligibility determinations. Candidates should have a solid understanding of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), human subjects protection, and research ethics, and experience coordinating clinical research studies and interacting with study participants.

Familiarity with interventional psychiatry treatments—such as Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and ketamine-based therapies—is strongly preferred. Proficiency with Epic, REDCap, Microsoft Office, electronic data capture systems, and experience with source documentation, regulatory compliance, and electronic case report forms (eCRFs) are required.

The role demands strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, strict adherence to confidentiality and HIPAA requirements, and experience working with individuals with major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder, or other serious mental illnesses. What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care.

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