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Junior Specialist - Clinical Coordinator for a Study of Sex-effects and Reward on Cognition in Schizophrenia (Carter & Lesh Labs)
UC Davis Junior Specialist Recruitment

For full consideration, apply by 14 days after posting

DESCRIPTION - The Translational Cognitive and Affective (TCAN) Laboratory studies the neural mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction in psychotic illness. This position is to serve a multi-faceted role as a study coordinator for a NIH-funded Conte Center research study under the direction of Dr. Cameron Carter and Dr. Tyler Lesh. This research study focuses on how sex differences and alterations in the immune system might play a role in altered brain activity and connectivity in individuals with schizophrenia. Our project will use computational model based analyses of frontal-stiatal circuitry during fMRI to provide a more mechanistic understanding of motivation and cognitive control deficits in schizophrenia. Diffusion MRI measures of extracellular free water and midbrain neuromelanin scans will offer additional insight into the role of neuroinflammation and dopamine disruption in the disorder. We collect a rich set of symptom and life history information using clinical interviews to examine how these biological measures relate to real-life behavior and functioning.

These projects utilize a combination of extensive clinical interviews and surveys along with multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine high-level cognitive processing in both healthy adults and in individuals with schizophrenia. As such, this position will provide the opportunity to gain strong expertise in clinical interviewing, differential diagnosis of mental health disorders, and training in a variety of cognitive neuroscience data collection techniques.

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. An interest in mental health and research in clinical populations is valued. In particular, participant recruitment skills and clinical interviewing interest/experience is especially desirable. Any previous experience with programming, data collection, and processing, is important for more technically oriented applicants. The incumbent will join a team of fellow research assistants involved in other studies and will coordinate a variety aspects of the research study, in collaboration with the team. Our faculty are heavily invested in supporting the next generation of researchers, clinicians, and doctors and all staff members have the opportunity to participate in our weekly professional development seminars.

DEGREE REQUIREMENT - Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, psychobiology, neuroscience, human development, computer science, engineering, statistics, or a related STEM field

RESEARCH –

90% Research

Project Coordination
•Recruit and consent individuals to research study

•Coordinate the scheduling of research appointments with other junior specialists on the project and track completion of all research appointments for the study.

•Assign appropriate tasks and provide mentorship to research assistants and volunteers

•Attend weekly meetings with clinic staff, track consensus diagnosis and reconcile research data with ongoing clinical developments

•Coordinate advertising and recruitment of study participants using multiple methods (e.g., paper flyering, electronic postings).

•Ensure an adequate supply of study materials (e.g., blood tubes, latex gloves, etc.)

Data Collection and Organization

•Conduct behavioral assessments with research participants including computerized and paper-and-pencil tests of multiple aspects of cognitive functioning.

•Conduct MRI scan sessions with all participants
•Maintain databases of all study data, including demographic, symptom, and cognitive data.

•Maintain organized records for all participants in locked filing cabinets

Data Analysis

•Receive training on and use knowledge of computer programming to perform data analysis of collected data using in-house scripts and commercial software

IRB Protocol Maintenance

•Maintain HIPAA and Consent documents for IRB, including adhering to required privacy laws
•Maintain accurate enrollment counts

•Calculate quarterly enrollment counts for submission to funding sources

Clinical Interviewing and Recruitment
• Use prior knowledge of mental health conditions (from college or graduate level education) and provided training in diagnostic assessments to complete phone evaluations with potential research participants and family members. Phone evaluations will examine mental health concerns and other psychosocial factors in order to determine if individual may be eligible for research.
• Use knowledge of mental health conditions to conduct outreach presentations to recruit research participants.
• Conduct in-person ratings of symptomatology for research purposes using structured interviews and under the supervision of faculty member.
• Use knowledge of mental health conditions and available treatment options to provide referrals to consumers who are not eligible for research study.

Other Research Activities
• Actively participate in weekly lab meetings, journal club presentations, presentations from outside speakers.
• Contribute to writing and review of relevant manuscripts.
• Creatively contribute to the research project by proposing alternative analysis strategies, generate novel projects with existing data, review literature for manuscript preparation, and the ability to submit data for presentation at relevant conferences, such as the Cognitive Neuroscience Society or Society of Biological Psychiatry (if funding is available).
• Participate in one or more of the following activities: appropriate professional/technical societies or groups, such as our weekly career development group; other educational and research organizations; review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of expertise.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE – This position requires 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 the Cognitive Neuroscience Society or Society of Biological Psychiatry (if funding is available).

5% Professional Competence

● Actively participate in weekly lab meetings, journal club presentations, presentations from outside speakers, and weekly workshops to help incumbents develop their career goals.

● Participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and/or review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of expertise.

UNIVERSITY SERVICE - The incumbent will mentor undergraduate student assistants in the lab.

5% Service

● Provide mentorship to undergraduate research assistants under the supervision of faculty
● Incumbent will participate in and help organize a variety of community outreach activities at the Imaging

Research Center

● Ensure lab volunteers are trained on appropriate lab procedures

● Assist with daily lab maintenance

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

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