Research Assistant

Research Assistant – Clinical Research

Company: World Research Link
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: Houston, Texas
Department: Clinical Research Operations
Reports To: Clinical Research Coordinator / Site Management

About World Research Link

World Research Link is a site management consisting of 18 investigators across various specialties and 6 research sites dedicated to helping advance new treatments through high quality, ethical, and patient-centered clinical trials. We work with physicians, pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, contract research organizations, and research participants to build a better future through clinical research.

Our team places a strong emphasis on participant safety, protocol compliance, accurate documentation, professionalism, teamwork, and data integrity. We are seeking a motivated Research Assistant who is interested in developing clinical research experience and becoming an important member of our research site operations team.

Position Summary

The Research Assistant supports the day-to-day conduct of clinical trials under the supervision of Clinical Research Coordinators, investigators, quality assurance, and site management.

A Research Assistant helps ensure that research visits are organized, study documentation is complete, participants receive professional and attentive support, and clinical trial activities are performed according to the study protocol, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), ICH guidelines, World Research Link SOPs, and applicable regulatory requirements.

This is an excellent position for someone interested in building a career in clinical research, international medical graduates (IMGs) looking to match to residency, healthcare, pharmaceutical development, regulatory affairs, or clinical operations.

The Research Assistant does not independently make medical decisions and performs only those study activities for which they are appropriately trained, qualified, and delegated.

Primary Responsibilities

The Research Assistant may assist with the following activities under appropriate supervision:

• Assist Clinical Research Coordinators with the daily operation of active clinical trials.
• Prepare examination rooms, research materials, source documents, study supplies, and participant materials before scheduled visits.
• Assist with scheduling and confirming participant appointments.
• Contact research participants regarding appointments, reminders, and study-related follow-up as authorized and required per protocol.
• Assist with participant prescreening using approved study criteria and prescreening tools, such as standardized phone call scripts.
• Help identify potentially eligible research participants from provider electronic medical record systems, patient databases, and approved referral and recruitment sources.
• Assist with recruitment activities, including responding to study inquiries and conducting initial telephone prescreens.
• Support the informed consent process under appropriately trained and delegated study personnel, including investigators and clinical research coordinators.
• Obtain and document basic participant information, medical history, medication information, and study-related questionnaires when appropriately delegated.
• Measure and document vital signs when trained and delegated.
• Assist with ECG acquisition, specimen collection, laboratory processing, packaging, and IATA-compliant shipping when appropriately trained and delegated.
• Prepare and organize laboratory kits and study supplies for upcoming participant visits.
• Track participant visit windows and assist coordinators with appointment scheduling.
• Assist with collection, completion, and maintenance of source documentation.
• Enter study information into approved electronic systems under supervision, including EDC, CTMS, electronic source, or study-specific databases.
• Assist with resolution queries of missing documentation and routine data queries.
• Maintain organized study binders, electronic Investigator Site Files, regulatory documents, and participant research charts.
• File study documentation accurately and promptly.
• Assist with maintenance of study logs, including screening, enrollment, training, equipment, temperature, and other study-specific logs.
• Assist with investigational product accountability activities when properly trained and delegated.
• Track study supplies and notify appropriate personnel when additional materials are needed.
• Assist with preparation for Site Initiation Visits, monitoring visits, audits, and study closeout visits.
• Retrieve requested documents for Sponsor/CRO monitors under the direction of site personnel.
• Assist with quality-control reviews of study documentation.
• Immediately report missing information, documentation errors, protocol deviations, participant concerns, or potential safety issues to the Clinical Research Coordinator or investigator.
• Maintain participant confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and WRL information-security requirements.
• Follow applicable study protocols, WRL SOPs, Good Clinical Practice, IRB requirements, and Sponsor/CRO instructions.
• Participate in required study, protocol, GCP, safety, and departmental training.
• Maintain a professional, respectful, and patient-centered environment.
• Perform other clinical research support responsibilities as assigned and appropriately trained.

What Does a Research Assistant Do in Clinical Research?

A Clinical Research Assistant helps the research team perform the many operational tasks necessary to conduct a clinical trial safely and accurately.

Clinical trials require careful coordination between research participants, physicians, Clinical Research Coordinators, Sponsors, CROs, laboratories, pharmacies, imaging centers, and other vendors. Research Assistants help keep these activities organized.

On a typical day, a Research Assistant may help prepare for participant visits, confirm appointments, organize study materials, perform approved prescreening, obtain vital signs, prepare laboratory kits, process specimens, enter data, maintain research records, assist with recruitment, and prepare documents requested by a clinical trial monitor.

The role is often an important entry point into the clinical research industry and can provide valuable experience for individuals interested in advancing into positions such as Clinical Research Coordinator, Regulatory Coordinator, Clinical Research Associate, Clinical Trial Manager, or other pharmaceutical and biotechnology roles.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to accurately follow written procedures and instructions.
• Professional verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfortable interacting with patients and healthcare professionals.
• Ability to maintain confidential medical and research information.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office and web-based software.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks while maintaining accuracy.
• Reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a clinical research team.

Preferred Qualifications

The following are preferred but are not necessarily required:

• Bachelor's degree in biology, neuroscience, psychology, public health, nursing, chemistry, health sciences, or a related field.
• Previous clinical research, healthcare, laboratory, medical-office, or patient-care experience.
• Familiarity with Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
• Experience with electronic medical records.
• Experience with clinical trial databases or EDC systems.
• Phlebotomy experience or certification.
• ECG experience.
• Experience processing or shipping biological specimens.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills.
• Interest in pursuing a long-term career in clinical research or healthcare.

Skills We Value

Successful Research Assistants at World Research Link should demonstrate:

• Attention to detail
• Reliability
• Professionalism
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Strong communication
• Patient empathy
• Organization
• Ability to follow protocols precisely
• Willingness to learn
• Teamwork
• Initiative
• Good judgment
• Respect for confidentiality
• Commitment to participant safety and data quality

Training

World Research Link will provide training appropriate to the employee's responsibilities, which may include:

• Good Clinical Practice
• Human-subject protection
• HIPAA and confidentiality
• Protocol-specific training
• Source documentation
• Clinical research terminology
• EDC and study systems
• Laboratory procedures
• Safety reporting
• Research participant interaction
• WRL Standard Operating Procedures

Employees may only independently perform clinical trial activities for which they are appropriately trained, qualified, and delegated.

Career Development

World Research Link encourages employees who demonstrate strong performance, reliability, professionalism, and clinical research competency to develop within the organization.

A successful Research Assistant may have opportunities to progress toward positions such as:

Research Assistant → Senior Research Assistant → Clinical Research Coordinator → Senior/Lead Clinical Research Coordinator → Clinical Research Operations or Site Management

Physical and Work Requirements

Depending on study activities, the position may require:

• prolonged periods working at a computer;
• standing or walking during participant visits;
• handling clinical research supplies;
• occasional lifting of laboratory or study materials up to 25 lbs;
• use of appropriate personal protective equipment; and
• handling biological specimens after appropriate IATA and GLP training;

Compensation

$15 per hour, depending on education, experience, certifications, and clinical research background.

Equal Employment Opportunity

World Research Link provides equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees without unlawful discrimination based on protected characteristics under applicable federal, state, or local law.

How to Apply

Please submit your résumé and a brief description of your interest in clinical research.

Candidates with limited research experience are encouraged to apply if they demonstrate strong attention to detail, professionalism, reliability, communication skills, and a genuine interest in learning clinical research.

World Research Link
Research for a Better Future