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ROCS Study Junior Specialist

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Position description

ROCS Study Junior Specialist

UC Davis Junior Specialist Recruitment

Apply via https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF03194
For full consideration, apply by 15 days after posting

DESCRIPTION - Broadly, the Translational Cognitive and Affective (TCAN) Laboratory studies the neural mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction in psychotic illness. This position is to serve as a technical study coordinator for the “Effects of DLPFC tDCS on Cognition, Oscillations and GABA Levels in Schizophrenia” project at UC Davis Medical Center under Dr. Cameron Carter. The goal of the proposed research is to use a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to test a systems-neuroscience model of cognitive control deficits in schizophrenia. Specifically, we will use tDCS in combination with electrophysiology (EEG) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) methods to examine stimulation-induced changes in neural activity related to cognitive control in schizophrenia.

The incumbent will coordinate many aspects of the research study. The incumbent will conduct tDCS, EEG and MRS experiment sessions. This will require the incumbent to consent study participants, schedule research appointments, and monitor progress through the study procedures. The incumbent will use a variety of in-house and commercially available software to process the data, and will receive training on analysis pipelines for collected data. The incumbent will also assist in recruiting research participants and conducting clinical interviews for research purposes under the supervision of a faculty member. The incumbent will manage study IRB protocols, adhering strictly to privacy and confidentiality laws. The incumbent will also manage data collection and organization, including mentoring undergraduate volunteers in the input of data to multiple databases. Furthermore, the incumbent will be expected to actively participate in weekly lab meetings, journal club presentations, presentations from outside speakers, and weekly workshops to help research assistants in the lab to develop their career goals. Depending on their contribution and role in the lab the incumbent may have the opportunity to contribute to writing and review of relevant manuscripts. Furthermore, the incumbent may have the opportunity to 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 Society of Biological Psychiatry or Society for Neuroscience (if funding is available). 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 the PI and others in the lab. The incumbent will also participate in one or more of the following activities: appropriate professional/technical societies or groups, such as our weekly career development group and other educational and research organizations; and review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of expertise. 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. Previous experience with data collection and processing, particularly with MATLAB, tDCS, EEG and/or MRS, is desirable.

DEGREE REQUIREMENT - Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, psychobiology, cognitive science, neuroscience or a related field

RESEARCH 90%
Data Collection, Organization and Analysis
• Conduct behavioral assessments with research participants including computerized and paper-and-pencil tests of multiple aspects of cognitive functioning.
• Conduct tDCS, EEG and MRS 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 of collected behavioral and neuroimaging data

Project Coordination
• 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.
• 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

Clinical Interviewing and Recruitment

• Use prior knowledge of mental health conditions (from college or graduate level education) and previous 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 prior 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.

IRB Protocol Adherence

• Maintain HIPAA and Consent documents for IRB, including adhering to required privacy laws
• Maintain accurate enrollment counts
• Calculate quarterly enrollment counts for submission to NIH
• Ensure appropriate staff are maintained on IRB protocol

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 (if funding is available).

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 5%
The incumbent will mentor undergraduate student assistants in the lab.

Service

● Provide mentorship to undergraduate research assistants

● 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

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in psychology, psychobiology, cognitive neuroscience, neuroscience or a related field
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently and execute primary support responsibilities
• Commitment to scientific research responsibilities and objectives
• Experience collecting and organizing data
•Scheduling and/or calendaring experience
•Demonstrated ability to manage multiple work demands simultaneously
•Experience working in a team-oriented research environment
• Effective interpersonal communication skills to maintain an effective, positive and cooperative relationship with staff, students, faculty, co-workers, public and outside contractors

Preferred Qualifications
•Previous experience working with adolescents and young adults with psychiatric disorders
•Fluency in Spanish (oral & written)
•Previous experience collecting tDCS, EGG and/or MRS data
•Previous experience with cognitive neuroscience data analysis and/or MATLAB

TERM OF APPOINTMENT - One year, with an additional year available based on performance and needs of the research project. Appointments may be made up to 100%.

SALARY RANGE - $39,500 - $42,100 [100% annual], commensurate with qualifications and experience.

STEP - Step 1 or Step 2, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

LOCATION UC Davis Imaging Research Center, 4701 X Street, Sacramento, CA 95817

Applicants can apply at: Qualified applicants should upload a Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume, and contact information for 2 to 3 references via this URL: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply/JPF03194

Questions: Please direct questions to Name: Jennifer Munguia jamunguia@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 UC Davis 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
  • 2-3 required (contact information only)
2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Diversity 2023 Forbes Award: Best Employers for Women

Job location

Sacramento, CA