The Genetic Counselling Unit’s overarching goal is to improve care of individuals with inherited predisposition to disease risk. Our aim is to empower these individuals to make medical and healthcare choices based on their genetic profiles.

SUMMARY

The Research Associate will support the implementation and day-to-day research activities of several projects, including Maintaining Sustainability of the Mainstreaming Model for Ovarian Cancer (MaGiC Sustainability), Estimating Quality of Life and Cost of Ovarian Cancer Management in Malaysia (EQ-COM Costing Study), and, subject to approval and commencement, the Yayasan PETRONAS–CRMY B40 Hereditary Cancer Access Programme, as well as other research projects undertaken by the Genetic Counselling Unit as required.

RESPONSIBILTIES

1. Conduct literature searches, summarise evidence and assist with drafting and updating study protocols and research documents.
2. Develop and pilot data collection tools, including questionnaires, interview guides, case report forms and medical-record abstraction templates, under investigator supervision.
3. Prepare and track ethics applications, amendments, site permissions and approved study documentation.
4. Coordinate hospital and community site activities, research meetings, recruitment, participant follow-up and stakeholder communications.
5. Collect research data through medical-record reviews, surveys, interviews and participant tracking, following approved protocols and consent procedures.
6. Enter, verify, clean and securely manage research data; maintain study trackers and resolve data queries.
7. Assist with data summaries, progress reports, presentations, abstracts and manuscripts.
8. Monitor project timelines, flag implementation challenges and maintain confidentiality and research quality standards.
9. Other responsibilities include:
   1. To deputise for the Deputy Head of Genetic Counselling when appropriate
   2. To represent the team and Cancer Research Malaysia when appropriate
   3. To undertake other administrative tasks as required

QUALIFICATIONS AND ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

1. Prior experience working with Cancer Research Malaysia’s Genetic Counselling Unit, either as a cross-team collaborator, former staff member, former intern, with demonstrated familiarity with the unit’s research activities and workflows.
2. Master’s degree in biomedical science, public health, health sciences, psychology, genetics or another relevant field.
3. Familiarity with oncology and genetic services care pathways.
4. Experience or relevant training in research methods, including literature searching, study documentation, data collection and/or research coordination
5. Experience in one or more of the following would be an advantage: ethics submissions, multi-site studies, medical-record abstraction, patient interviews or electronic research databases (e.g. REDCap).
6. Basic data-management and descriptive analysis skills (Excel, SPSS, R or equivalent);
7. Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage parallel tasks and deadlines across multiple projects.
8. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and digital data-entry systems; ability to maintain accurate trackers and research records.
9. Clear written and spoken communication in English and Bahasa Malaysia, with confidence liaising professionally with stakeholders.
10. Ability to handle confidential patient information sensitively, follow research ethics requirements and work reliably under supervision.
11. Willingness to travel to participating sites and adapt to fieldwork or hospital research schedules
12. Proactive attitude, willingness to take responsibility for assigned tasks and commitment to CRMY's mission.