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Assistant / Associate Professional Researcher

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Position description

UC DAVIS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
Assistant / Associate Researcher

The University of California, Davis, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences is recruiting for an Assistant / Associate Researcher.

This candidate will be required to develop an independent research program to investigate the mechanisms underlying associations between gender variance/identity and the development and etiologies of autism spectrum disorder. The candidate will be expected to design and conduct studies to evaluate a) gender variance in autism in the context of longitudinal change in brain anatomy and functional connectivity through the use of MRI methodologies, b) physiological indicators associated with gender variance and autism, including facial morphology, 2nd to 4th digit ratios, and tactile sensitivity measurements, and c) investigate indicators of mental health, quality of life, and quality of care challenges that confront gender variant children and adolescents and their caregivers.

It is anticipated that the development and implementation of this research project will include submitting applications for extramural funding independently and in collaboration with other faculty members in the Department of Psychiatry, the MIND Institute, and other departments and programs at UC Davis, in addition to carrying out roles in currently funded collaborative projects. Anticipated sources of funding including the National Institutes of Health, foundations, and other similar research funding initiatives.

The candidate will develop and administer longitudinal research protocols, including experimental design, MRI protocols, participant recruitment and retention, and other procedures, and in accordance with the UC Davis Institutional Review Board. The candidate will be responsible for training and managing staff, budget, and reporting requirements of the above-mentioned research program, including those for which there is current funding for those new grants secured by the candidate.

The candidate will be responsible for implementing and maintaining MRI analysis pipelines, which include multi-atlas image segmentation of subcortical (e.g. hippocampus, amygdala) and cortical brain structures, cortical reconstructions using FreeSurfer, and resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) preprocessing, quality assurance, and analysis. rsfMRI pipelines will include computing seed-based rsfMRI, regional homogeneity, voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity, network centrality (e.g. degree centrality), dual regression of canonical networks. The candidate will perform group analyses of rsfMRI derivatives using univariate general linear models and using multivariate distance matrix regression.

The candidate will help acquire neuroimaging data from children and adolescents with profound autism, including those occurring during natural nocturnal sleep, as part of ongoing longitudinal studies at the MIND. The candidate will be a certified MRI operator.

The candidate will take lead management of maintaining computer systems for MRI data analysis and data backup services. Further, in concert with faculty at the UC Davis Imagine Research Center, the candidate will also lead development of new MRI protocols in support of ongoing longitudinal MRI studies or newly funded projects, as required.

The candidate is expected to publish the results of this research program in appropriate peer-reviewed neuroscience-, psychiatry-, and autism-focused scientific journals.

This recruitment is conducted at the Assistant / Associate rank. The selected candidate will be hired at the Assistant / Associate rank, regardless of the proposed appointee's qualifications.

Applications should be submitted by June 1, 2021 for initial consideration. However, the position will remain open until filled or June 30, 2021. To apply please complete an application at: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04190

UC 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. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct.

If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact the recruiting department. 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 positions at UCD 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/).

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Qualified Candidates must possess a Ph.D. in Psychology, Neuroscience or a closely related field and have formal training in Autism Research. The applicant must have been awarded the Ph.D. within the last 10 years and have a minimum of 5 years of experience beyond the Ph.D. The applicant must have a background in pediatric neuroimaging of children with autism, including experience scanning children during natural nocturnal sleep. The candidate must have experience in conducting multivariate, longitudinal analyses on neuroimaging and behavioral data. Experience with neuroimaging analysis software and Linux systems administration and BASH programming is required. The candidate must have experience participating in multidisciplinary collaborations and have excellent references related to the ability to work in a team and collaboratively with peers.

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit https://academicaffairs.ucdavis.edu/faculty-equity-and-inclusion for guidelines about writing a statement and why one is requested.

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04190

Help contact: tncasey@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

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. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

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 UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: “To Boldly Go,” our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs’ Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan.” There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

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Job location

Sacramento, CA