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Junior Specialist- BRaIN Lab Technical

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Position description

Research (90%):

This study is under the direction of Dr. Carolynn Patten and in collaboration with Dr. Wilsaan Joiner and Dr. Kwan Ng. The goal of the study is to use tools from systems neuroscience to explore how neurologic injuries including stroke, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson’s Disease, and aging affect coordination and regulation of movements such as walking, reaching, and grasping. Foci of the research program are biomarkers and individual differences mediating recovery of function following neurologic injury.

The incumbent will be fundamentally involved in the planning and execution of this recently-established research program. The incumbant will work collaboratively with the PI to identify the steps necessary to implement technical aspects of the research project, which include: using knowledge of programming, biomechanics, and systems neuroscience to help develop, test, and implement measures for use in the study. These measures will need to be developed and optimized for use in TMS and neuromechanical aspects of the study. Studies of this magnitude often require thinking creatively to design a protocol that can accommodate the study population, in this case individuals with motor dysfunction. The incumbent will be expected to be an active member of the research team in creatively adapting the protocol, which may include developing new experiments or modifying existing experiments and documenting changes as appropriate. Furthermore, the incumbent will have the opportunity to creatively contribute to the research project by proposing alternative analysis strategies, generate novel projects with existing data, and review literature for manuscript preparation. The incumbent will assist the PI in many aspects of the research study and work independently under supervision of the PI to insure adherence to study protocols, which includes executing and training others in the execution of TMS, EMG, and biomechanical tasks, as well as thinking creatively to develop tools that can be used to analyze and present the data. The incumbent will also assist in data management, as it pertains directly to the execution of the research project. The incumbent will contribute to writing and review of relevant manuscripts and will be acknowledged with authorship or in the acknowledgement section, as appropriate based upon the work completed. The incumbent will be actively and significantly involved in publishable research activities, including reviewing journal articles and engaging in discussions on research and the interpretation of research results with PI and others in the lab.

Professional Competence (5%)
The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to work independently, and as part of a team. The incumbent may have the opportunity to submit data for presentation at relevant conferences, such as Society for Neuroscience, International or American Society for Biomechanics, American Society for Neurorehabilitation, American Physical Therapy Association, and others. Authorship order will be determined based on the effort contributed to the presentation. The incumbent is expected to actively participate in weekly lab meetings, journal club presentations, presentations from outside speakers, and weekly workshops to help incumbents develop their career goals. The incumbent will also participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and/or review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of expertise.

Service (5%)
The incumbent will act as a mentor for undergraduate volunteers in the lab, and provide training in lab procedures.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s Degree in biomedical engineering or other relevant engineering disciplines, kinesiology/human physiology, neuroscience, psychology (quantitative), psychobiology, computer science, or a related field
• Experience collecting and organizing data
• Experience working in a team-oriented research environment
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple work demands simultaneously

Preferred qualifications (other preferred, but not required, qualifications for the position)

STRONGLY PREFERRED
• Previous programming experience and/or coursework (e.g., shell scripting, Matlab, python, E-prime)
• Previous experience with Linux/Unix-based computers
• Previous experience and/or coursework in instrumented data collection for bio/neuromechanical studies, and data analysis (e.g. 3D motion capture, Visual 3D, matlab/python, Signal/Spike2)

PREFERRED
• Previous experience working with human subjects including adults with motor dysfunction

Application Requirements

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

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research (Optional)

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

  • 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.
    (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3-5 required (contact information only)
Apply link: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF04964

Help contact: kwgiammona@ucdavis.edu

About UC Davis

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