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Fragile X Research and Treatment Center Junior Specialist 18-19

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Position description

Junior Specialist Step I for the Fragile X Research and Treatment Center at the UC Davis MIND Institute, Sacramento, CA

PROJECT TITLE: Genotype-Phenotype Relationships in Fragile X Families

The Department of Pediatrics is seeking a part-time Junior Specialist for the Fragile X Research and Treatment Center at the UC Davis MIND Institute under the supervision of Dr. Randi Hagerman, MD. This position will be for 50% time for one year with possibility of extension for a second year based on available funding.

The incumbent with assist the primary research coordinator and data manager with running a clinical research study conducted by the Fragile X Research and Treatment Center, focused on individuals with genetic conditions related to the FMR1 gene.

General responsibilities:
The primary responsibilities includes recruiting and prescreening patients in conjunction with coordinator and medical personnel to determine patient eligibility, consenting subjects to research and/or clinical trials protocols and documenting consent procedures according to study protocol and IRB and MIND SOPs, as well as helping facilitate participants’ continued participation once enrolled. Additional visit-related responsibilities include collecting, submitting, and maintaining study data and regulatory documents, ensuring compliance with study protocols, and registering research patients with the MIND Institute Research Clinic staff, Share Point Reservations, and Subject Tracking System.

The incumbent will be trained and scheduled to administer clinical assessments to research patients in studies conducted through the Fragile X Research and Treatment Center. Cognitive assessments may include the BDS-2, MMSE, WMS, WAIS, CVLT II, and CANTAB. Motor assessments may include administration of the KinesiaONE, GaitRite, dynamometer, and Purdue pegboard.

Additionally, the position will require to entering and validating clinical research data into REDCap from fragile X-related studies run by Dr. Hagerman. A successful candidate will have a high level of attention to detail needed to abstract laboratory data, physical findings, and response data from medical records. Under the direction of the data manager and Dr. Hagerman, the incumbent will work closely with and will assist with mentorship of volunteer undergraduate research assistants assigned to data entry and archive duties. The incumbent may be asked to prepare reports regarding study data, protocol information, and patient accrual, and will assist volunteers/interns with projects related to data entry & retrieval. The incumbent will work closely with the data manager and research coordinators to meet goals and deadlines for data.

This position entails working closely with Dr. Hagerman, the fragile X clinical team, clinicians, coordinators of other research groups, research assistants, and volunteers. The incumbent may participate in interpretation, analysis, writing, publication, and/or presentation of data/research gathered from Dr. Hagerman’s studies. The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to work well independently and as part of a team. Understanding neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, especially fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome and fragile X syndrome, and experience with research participants with these disorders will be crucial for successful support of Dr. Hagerman’s studies.

Research Activity (90%)
• Recruit study participants
• Screen potential study participants for eligibility and obtain informed consent
• Schedule research participants, including assisting with travel and reimbursement
• Schedule assessments with various clinicians and researchers
• Administer behavioral and motor tasks and collect psychophysiological measurements
• Create and maintain patient charts and other study documents
• Track and enter study information into REDCap and Excel databases and train others to perform data entry
• Maintain study database, including behavioral assessments, cognitive data, physiological data, medical and demographic information
• Ensure IRB and HIPAA compliance
• Assist coordinators with mentoring research assistants

Professional Competence and Activity (5%)
• Participate in interpretation, analysis, writing, publication, and/or presentation of data/research.
• Attend weekly research group and team coordinator meetings
• Attend research presentations at the MIND Institute, including biweekly Research Seminar Series talks and Monthly Distinguished Lecture Series presentations, when possible and not in conflict with Research Activities above
• Summarize literature searches

University and Public Service (5%)
• Assist with mentorship of volunteer undergraduate research assistants
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with community groups and other neurodevelopmental organizations for recruitment purposes

Basic Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in majors such as Human Development, Psychology, and NPB (Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior).
• Proficiency to effectively use personal computer and software such as Word, Excel.
• Completed training with Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) on basic and clinical research.
• Must exhibit professional approach to work and communication.
• Must be able to communicate proficiently in English, both written and oral.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail to handle large volumes of accurate, retrievable records
• Ability to determine workload priorities in an appropriate way to accomplish tasks or goals and anticipate and solve potential problems during changing conditions and deadlines.
• Knowledge of ethical principles and federal and state regulations governing the participation of human subjects in biomedical research.
• Demonstrated successful performance in a high-intensity, collaborative work environment is required.
• Adheres to department, UCD and UCDHS procedures and policies, including but not limited to study-participant safety, mandatory education, confidentiality, attendance, etc.

Preferred Qualifications
• Familiarity with the patient population at the MIND Institute (neurodevelopmental and/or neurodegenerative disorders).
• Ability to write standard operating procedures and manuscripts.
• Demonstrated successful performance in a high-intensity, collaborative work environment is required.
• Ability to respond promptly and positively to study participants, families, associates, and all others in a respectful, courteous manner.
• Training on several clinical assessments listed.
• Initial knowledge and experience with MRI safety monitoring.
• Experience working with electronic medical records.
• Experience with REDCap to collect and organize data.
• Familiarity with data management.

Position available/closing date:
This recruitment is open effective April 15, 2019. For full consideration, applications should be submitted by April 29, 2019. The posting will remain open until June 30, 2019 or until filled.

Term of appointment: 12 month term appointment from start date at 50% time. Reappointment for a second year may be possible but is dependent on funding availability.

To Apply: Qualified applicants should upload a Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume, and contact information for 3 to 5 references via this URL: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF02757

Questions: Please direct questions to Sabrina Olivarez: smolivarez@ucdavis.edu

The University of California, Davis commits to inclusion excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women,
individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts
require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.

UC Davis is a smoke & tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/). If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact the recruiting department.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
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