Entry Level Clinical Research Assistant Jobs in Decatur, GA

Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community.

The Clinical Research Coordinator handles or assists with the administrative activities generally associated with the conduct of clinical trials.

The Eagle-Eye Suite is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) to support groundbreaking ophthalmic research with a focus on glaucoma, axonal imaging, and ocular biomechanics. This position is funded by both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Emory Eye Center. The CRC will play a central role in recruiting, screening, and enrolling participants into clinical research studies; performing high-quality optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging of the optic nerve head and retina; preparing and maintaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions; extracting retrospective data from EPIC; and manually segmenting OCT images to support AI research. The role requires frequent interaction with patients, research staff, and clinicians from Emory and VA clinics.

ABOUT THE EAGLE-EYE SUITE. Founded in July 2025 by Dr. Michaël Girard, the Eagle-Eye Suite is the first AI-powered imaging suite for eye health in the Georgia region. Located in Clinic B of the Emory Eye Center, the facility is dedicated to advancing diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment strategies for both eye and systemic diseases, with a strong emphasis on glaucoma research and biomechanics of the optic nerve head and axons.

The suite is equipped with state-of-the-art OCT and OCT angiography (OCTA) technologies, including:

• Ultra-wide field OCT/OCTA
• Adaptive-optics OCT/OCTA
• Adaptive-optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy
• Visible light OCT/OCTA
• Spectral-domain OCT/OCTA
• Custom-built OCT elastography
• Doppler Holography

These tools allow safe, fast (seconds), and non-invasive imaging at the cellular and microvascular level, surpassing the resolution of standard clinical equipment. The suite also supports the emerging field of oculomics, leveraging AI and advanced imaging to extract ocular biomarkers that reflect both eye and systemic health.

Key Responsibilities
• Recruit, screen, and consent participants for clinical research studies according to approved protocols.
• Perform OCT/OCTA imaging in patients using state-of-the-art imaging platforms.
• Prepare, submit, and maintain IRB applications, amendments, and continuing reviews.
• Retrieve and compile retrospective clinical and imaging data from the EPIC electronic health record system.
• Manually segment OCT images to create high-quality training datasets for AI-based axonal and biomechanical analysis.
• Coordinate and schedule research visits, imaging sessions, and follow-up assessments.
• Maintain accurate source documentation, case report forms, and electronic research records.
• Ensure compliance with IRB guidelines, and all applicable regulations.
• Collaborate with imaging and data science teams to ensure high-quality data acquisition.
• Serve as a liaison between participants, investigators, and clinical care teams.
• Assist with study reporting, regulatory submissions, and progress updates.

Qualifications
• Prior experience in clinical research, patient recruitment, and/or ophthalmic imaging preferred.
• Familiarity with OCT/OCTA imaging workflows is a plus but not required.
• Experience with EPIC data retrieval is an asset.
• Knowledge of IRB processes, informed consent procedures, and human subjects protection.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently.

Why Join Us? This is a unique opportunity to work within one of the most advanced AI-powered imaging facilities in the nation – funded by both the NIH and the Emory Eye Center – on high-impact projects in glaucoma, axonal injury, and biomechanics. Your work will directly contribute to developing next-generation AI tools and advancing our understanding of axonal injury mechanisms in glaucoma.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or GED and three years of administrative support experience.
• Or two years of college in a scientific, health related, or business administration program and one year of admin support or customer service experience.
• Or be a licensed as a practical nurse (LPN) and one year admin support or one year of licensed practical nursing experience.
• Or a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, MD or PhD in a scientific, health related or business administration program.

This position is intended to support clinical research and all clinical training requirements must be tracked and monitored through Emory Healthcare under the credentialing category of Clinical Researcher.

NOTE: Position tasks are required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location; working remote is not an option. Emory reserves the right to change this status with notice to employee.

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).

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