A little about us:

The Lieber Institute for Brain Development (LIBD) was established in 2010 to plot a new course in biomedical research that would change the lives of individuals affected with developmental brain disorders. We are one of the only research institutions in the world focused specifically on understanding how genes and the environment influence the way our brains develop that lead to conditions such as schizophrenia, autism, bipolar disorder and related developmental brain disorders. Through our cutting-edge research, answers are emerging and being translated into a robust pipeline of new drugs in development. And, by focusing on genes and their dynamic interplay with the environment, we are getting even closer to the “holy grail” in medical research, the discovery of strategies for primary prevention.

We are a group of dedicated, multidisciplinary and optimistic researchers, working at the cutting edge of science, utilizing state-of-the-art tools to unlock the mystery of the brain and transform the way we approach the development of new treatments, and ultimately cures. LIBD is an independent 501(c)(3) medical research institute located in the Bioscience Park on the campus of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Hospital in Baltimore, MD.

Job Summary:

The Research Consultant will work within our Neuropathology department, consenting postmortem human brain donations for clinical research with legal next-of-kin. 

Overview of Duties:

• Obtaining informed consent with legal next-of-kin for postmortem human brain donations across multiple collection sites as needed via telephone.
• Completing telephone screening questionnaire with next-of-kin to gather clinical and demographic histories for brain donors. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:  

Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, nursing, counseling, neuroscience, biology or a closely related field required. Master’s degree in psychology, social work, or counseling strongly preferred.

Experience: 4 or more years of experience preferred in the psychology, social work, counseling or related medical field involving clinical patient contact strongly preferred. 

**Job can be performed remotely. Requires mobile phone.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bilingual (Spanish preferred)
• Clinical skill in working with grieving families who have just lost a loved one
• Ability to balance research screening with communicating empathy to potential donors during a difficult time in their lives
• Knowledge of psychiatric symptoms/disorders
• Ability to gather complex clinical information from next-of-kin
• Ability to work tactfully with varying personalities
• Ability to maintain accurate electronic records
• Keen attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent organization and record-keeping skills for gathering postmortem clinical data
• Ability to manage time effectively
• Ability to effectively communicate: written and oral communication
• Must work well under pressure and in potentially high-stress situations
• Ability to be a problem-solver, skilled at providing multiple creative solutions to potential or existing problems
• Position will generally be performed Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:30am-12pm Eastern Standard Time, but may require occasional vacation coverage during evenings/weekend of up to 4 weeks per year maximum.

Physical Requirements: 

• Incumbent is required to work in an office environment. 
• Must be able to move about the office and campus as well as remain stationary for extended periods of time.
• Physical dexterity sufficient to move body frequently around laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Ability to continuously operate a personal computer for extended periods of time
• Visual acuity as well as mental acuity sufficient to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions are required
• Ability to speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably with sufficient volume to ensure an accurate exchange of information in normal conversational distance, over the telephone, and in a group setting
• Physical dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate a keyboard and other office equipment, use a telephone, access file cabinets and other items stored at various levels, including overhead
• Ability to lift or move objects up to 25 lbs. 

  ** If accommodations are needed due to pregnancy or a disability, please contact jobs@libd.org 

The Lieber Institute has mandated COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as applicable. All personnel must certify that they have obtained the necessary inoculations and to maintain a copy of that certification, which employees must provide at the Company's request. Exceptions to the COVID-19 and flu vaccine requirements may be provided, on a case-by-case basis, to individuals for either medical contraindications or sincerely held religious beliefs. Requests for a medical or religious exemption must be submitted in writing to jobs@libd.org. Personnel who do not receive the COVID-19 or flu vaccines due to an exemption must wear a mask in shared spaces. Personnel without documentation of vaccination or valid exemption will be considered noncompliant with coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination requirements. The employee will receive a written warning from their supervisor that they are not in compliance with the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination policy and will then have 15 days to comply (either through vaccination or valid exemption).

For additional information, applicants should visit https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/ https://covidinfo.jhu.edu/health-safety/covid-vaccination-information/

EEOC Statement: At the Lieber Institute, we are committed to a work environment of mutual respect where employment decisions are based on merit. As an equal opportunity employer, the Lieber Institute does not discriminate in employment opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, color, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, military service, or other non-merit based factors protected by state or federal law or local ordinance, with regard to any position or employment for which the applicant or employee is qualified.