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Research Assistant - Think & Speak Lab - Affect & Emotional Rehabilitation (AER) Lab

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab · Chicago, IL · $19.52–$33.46 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 3, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a literature search you did. How did you decide which sources mattered?

What they are checking: Whether they can search databases well and judge the quality of research.

Tell me about a time you had to follow a strict protocol even though a shortcut seemed easier.

What they are checking: Respect for research protocols and the IRB rules that come with them.

Why are you interested in rehabilitation research focused on emotion and communication?

What they are checking: Real interest in the lab's area of work, not just any research job.

What would you do

The lab focuses on affect and emotional rehabilitation. How would you approach interviewing a patient who is struggling emotionally after a brain injury?

What they are checking: Sensitivity with vulnerable participants and knowing when to pause or alert the study team.

Recruitment is behind schedule. What would you try to bring in more participants?

What they are checking: Creative, ethical recruitment that still follows the approved protocol.

A participant tells you something during an interview that makes you worried about their safety. What do you do?

What they are checking: Knowing to follow the study's safety plan and report to the investigator right away.

How do you build rapport with patients and families who are tired and have a lot going on?

What they are checking: Warmth and respect for participants' time, which keeps people in a study.

About the work

Walk me through how you obtain informed consent from a participant who may have trouble with memory or understanding.

What they are checking: Knowledge of consent capacity and the steps that protect participants with cognitive or communication challenges.

How do you keep study data organized and accurate when you're collecting it from patients and family members?

What they are checking: Careful data management, since messy data can ruin a study's results.

What experience do you have with data analysis, and which tools have you used?

What they are checking: Practical skills with statistics or analysis software that the posting says they will support.

How do you protect participant privacy when storing files and sharing results?

What they are checking: Understanding of confidentiality, de-identification and secure data handling.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is the global leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation for adults and children with the most severe, complex conditions. By joining our team, you’ll be part of our life-changing mission and vision. You’ll contribute to an innovative, multifaceted culture that is second to none — one that embraces collaboration, excellence, discovery and compassion. You’ll play a role in something that’s never been done before as we integrate science and clinical care to help patients achieve better, faster outcomes — as we Advance Human Ability, together. Job Description Summary The Research Assistant will be responsible for conducting literature searches, data management, recruiting participants, obtaining consents, maintaining files, scheduling and conducting interviews of patients and family members, maintaining data collection files, assisting with data analysis and generating correspondence, reports and graphics. The Research Assistant will consistently demonstrate support of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab statement of Vision, Mission and Core Values by striving for excellence, contributing to the team efforts and showing respect and compassion for patients and their families, fellow employees, and all others with whom there is contact at or in the interest of the institute. The Research Assistant will demonstrate Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Core Attributes: Communication, Accountability, Flexibility/Adaptability, Judgment/Problem Solving, Customer Service and Core Values (Hope, Compassion, Discovery, Collaboration, & Commitment to Excellence) while fulfilling job duties. Job Description Responsibilities will vary according to the project in which the RA is assigned, but could include any or all of the following: Subject Recruitment • Contacts hospital-site staff to identify potential participants; reviews medical records to determine appropriateness of patients for study. • Explains study to patients and family members, requests participation and obtains informed consent • Schedules and confirms participants for hospital and/or home interviews Data Collection • Conducts on and off site interviews using a variety of structured and non-structured questionnaires • Retrieves and records data from medical records and records data from interviews on appropriate forms • Uses clinical judgment to alert supervisor in a timely manner that participant responses may indicate need for professional intervention • Maintains interim contact with study participants to maintain current address and telephone information Dissemination • Assists in development of data tables, graphs and charts and preparation of material for presentation Data Management • Assists in the collection of new data; codes, cleans, transcribes, records, enters and stores all data collected; coordinates data collection with other research staff as appropriate • Generates reports detailing data collected • Conducts literature searches, copying and distributing articles as appropriate • Transcribes and codes taped interviews • Maintains an inventory of data collection forms to ensure ease of data retrieval • Assists in analysis of qualitative and quantitative data by coding verbatim interviews • Performs various record-keeping tasks such as filing consent forms and other data collection forms on all eligible participants to ensure ease of data retrieval and tracking of participants Supports Scholarly Activities • Attends meetings; takes minutes as assigned Perform all other duties that may be assigned in the best interest of the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Reporting Relationships Reports directly to Lab Manager, Research Scientist, or Project Director Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required • Work requires communication and mathematics skills normally acquired in four years of college, plus three to six months of related work experience. • Prefer graduate of or student in graduate program in neurosciences, nursing, psychology, engineering, social work, public health or related field. • Knowledge of basic computer hardware in addition to software such as Microsoft Office, statistical programs such as Stata or SPSS, and/or relevant engineering or mathematical programs such as Matlab, as appropriate. • Familiarity with medical, engineering or health services research terminology and basic research/statistical methodology is required, as appropriate to the position. Ability to accurately review and enter project data and to concentrate and pay close attention to detail for up to 75% of work time is required. • Analytical ability is required to prepare reports, maintain data inventory, code, transcribe interviews, develop graphs, perform literature searches, negotiate systems in several hospitals and/or human service organizations, and identify concerns/responses of participants that require termination of interview or possible intervention. • Strong interpersonal skills are needed to interact effectively with patients/family member dyads, physicians, other human service professionals and a variety of supervisors for various research projects. • Flexibility to coordinate scheduling with other project staff is needed. • Proficient typing and administrative skills to transcribe data, prepare correspondence, and maintain files. Exercises independent judgment in assigned area of responsibility. • May be expected to take leadership on certain project tasks. Working Conditions • Normal office/research laboratory environment with little or no exposure to dust or extreme temperature. May involve travel to other hospital/research sites and possibly to participants’ homes. Interviews/experiments may require flexible day, evening and/or weekend hours. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Pay and Benefits*: Pay Range: $19.52 - $33.46 Benefits: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab offers a comprehensive benefits program that is competitive with our industry peers in our geographic locations: https://www.sralab.org/benefits *Benefits and benefits’ eligibility can vary by position. Actual compensation will be determined by equity and qualifications of the role. Equal Employment Opportunity Employer Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, order of protection status, unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other characteristics protected by law. EEO is the Law | EEO is the Law - Know Your Rights | View our Full Policy Shirley Ryan AbilityLab is an Affirmative Action Employer as required by law.

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