Clinical Scientist / Neuropsychological Rater (Bilingual Mandarin)

Irvine Clinical Research

$80K — $90K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Fluent in Mandarin and English, able to conduct clinical interviews in both languages.
  • Advanced degree (PhD, PsyD, MA, MS, or MSW) in psychology, neuroscience, clinical social work, or a related field.
  • Experience in cognitive assessments or working with older adults, MCI, or Alzheimer's Disease.
  • Strong analytical skills for synthesizing data and evaluating medical histories.
  • Proficient in identifying protocol exclusions efficiently and accurately.
  • Excellent communication skills with a focus on cultural competence and clarity in presenting trial information.
  • Preferred experience as a psychometrician or clinical rater in pharmaceutical trials.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct clinical interviews and medical history reviews in Mandarin and English for potential participants screening.
  • Educate participants and families on clinical trial details in their preferred language, addressing any cultural nuances.
  • Build objective cases for participant eligibility based on diagnostic data and clinical history.
  • Administer and score neurological and psychological scales in both Mandarin and English, maintaining testing standards.
  • Present clinical evaluation findings to Principal Investigators and team members clearly and effectively.
  • Support site enrollment initiatives and community outreach to Mandarin-speaking populations.
  • Assist with trial operations, documentation, and workflow processes as needed.

Benefits

  • 100% of health, dental, and vision insurance costs covered for eligible full-time employees.
  • Earn 3 weeks of paid time off (PTO) per year.
  • Located in a supportive facility with ample free on-site parking.
  • Operates on a full-time, in-person schedule with no weekend or overnight shifts.
Full Job Description
As we expand trial access within Irvine's Chinese-speaking community, we are hiring a Bilingual Mandarin Clinical Scientist / Neuropsychological Rater to play a central role in identifying, engaging, and screening potential participants for our Phase II/III outpatient trials. While cognitive scale administration is an important component of this team, a primary operational focus for this opportunity is in prescreening, screening, and enrollment.

We are seeking an analytical, bilingual candidate to conduct focused prescreening interviews and evaluations in both Mandarin and English. In this role, you will efficiently identify clear protocol exclusions while actively advocating for nuanced or borderline candidates who satisfy protocol criteria. The ideal candidate constructs compelling, evidence-based cases for participant inclusion rather than relying solely on textbook presentations, while effectively communicating the value of trial participation to potential participants and their families.

Job Duties

  • Bilingual Clinical Prescreening & Screening: Conduct focused clinical interviews and medical history reviews in Mandarin and English to screen potential participants, efficiently identifying clear protocol exclusions while isolating viable candidates.
  • Participant & Family Engagement: Educate potential participants, study partners, and families in their preferred language (Mandarin or English) on trial requirements, protocol safety, and scientific impact, addressing cultural nuances and hesitation with clarity and professionalism.
  • Empirical Case Building & Advocacy: Synthesize diagnostic data and clinical history to build objective, evidence-based cases for protocol eligibility, advocating for complex or nuanced candidates who qualify under protocol criteria.
  • Bilingual Scale Administration: Administer and score standardized neurological, psychological, and psychiatric rating scales in Mandarin and English (e.g., CDR, ADAS-Cog, MMSE, MoCA, MADRS), maintaining rigorous testing standards and scoring consistency across subjective assessments.
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Present clinical evaluation findings and eligibility rationale clearly to Principal Investigators, Sub-Investigators, Clinical Research Coordinators, and sponsor monitoring teams.
  • Operational & Enrollment Support: Assist with site enrollment initiatives, community outreach within the local Mandarin-speaking population, protocol workflows, source documentation, and trial operations as needed.


Job Requirements

  • Language Fluency: Native or full professional fluency in spoken and written Mandarin and English. Ability to conduct clinical interviews, obtain informed consent, and administer cognitive scales in both languages seamlessly.
  • Education: PhD, PsyD, MA, MS, or MSW in psychology, neuroscience, clinical social work, or a related scientific/healthcare field.
  • Clinical Assessment Experience: Prior experience conducting cognitive assessments and/or working clinically with older adults, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), or Alzheimer's Disease.
  • Analytical & Critical Reasoning: Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex medical histories, evaluate diagnostic data objectively, and build evidence-backed arguments for protocol eligibility.
  • Prescreening Efficiency: Sound clinical judgment to efficiently identify protocol parameters and rule out obvious medical or cognitive exclusions.
  • Communication & Cultural Competence: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to articulate the value and scientific impact of clinical trials across diverse cultural backgrounds.
  • Preferred Experience: Prior psychometrician or clinical rater experience in pharmaceutical clinical trials (specifically in Alzheimer's Disease, MCI, or Major Depressive Disorder) is preferred and qualifies for higher starting compensation.


$80,000 - $90,000 a year

  • Location & Work Environment: This is a full-time employment position based in-person at our flagship Irvine clinic. Located inside the Alzheimer's Orange County building, our facility offers a supportive environment with ample free on-site parking.
  • Schedule: Full-time, in-person schedule with no planned overnight or weekend hours.
  • Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000 per year.
  • Starting Base: The starting salary for this position is $80,000 per year. Higher starting salary is negotiable for candidates with verified Psychometrician / Psychological Rater experience in pharmaceutical clinical trials of Alzheimer's Disease or Major Depressive Disorder.
  • Benefits: The company pays for 100% of health, dental, and vision individual insurance costs for eligible full-time employees. Vacation (PTO) is earned at a rate of 3 weeks per year.

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