Junior Specialist - Sacramento, United States - University of California-Davis

Description

Position overview

Application Window

Open date: April 8, 2024

Most recent review date: Monday, Apr 22, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Sunday, Jun 30, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

This recruitment will be to potentially hire two junior specialists.

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, Davis invites applications for qualified Junior Specialists to work in a research lab led by Dr. Marjorie Solomon. This position involves work in a NIH-funded project that investigates cognition and mental health issues in autistic children, adolescents and young adults as part of the MIND Institute's Autism Phenome Project ). The job also involves assisting an employment support program for autistic adults that is funded by the California Department of Disability Services (DDS).

The Solomon lab invites candidates with strong research interests and quantitative skills in the adolescent to adult developmental period in autism. The successful candidate will be involved in a NIH-funded project investigating depression, cognitive control, memory, and emotion processing in autistic children, adolescents and young adults and a DDS-funded program to evaluate the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model to promote competitive integrated employment in autistic adults. The successful candidate will support these projects via participant recruitment, data collection, data entry, and data analysis. The successful candidate will also coordinate with local employment agencies for study-related activities. The position includes opportunities to participate in clinically-oriented activities in the Solomon Lab and at the MIND Institute. The position is full time with flexible work hours, and it sometimes requires evening availability. The position also requires on-site availability. The successful 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.

General responsibilities include:

I. RESEARCH ACTIVITY (93% EFFORT)

Study Cohort Recruitment and Coordination 35%

• Recruit study cohorts for ongoing studies: Individuals to be recruited include children, adolescents, and young adults.
• Conduct phone interviews to evaluate eligibility based on medical and psychiatric exclusion criteria.
  
  
• Participate in outreach activities in the community to identify these children, adolescents, and young adults.
• Screen for psychopathology in typically developing individuals by conducting interviews.
• Organize meetings with other labs and external agencies.

Cohort Batteries Administration and Data Collection 30%

• Administer clinical and cognitive behavioral batteries to study participants who include children, adolescents, and adults with autism and typical development.
• Assist in MRI scan preparation and acquisition.

Data Analysis 13%

• Assist analyzing collected behavioral data and MRI data.
• Participate in discussion/interpretation of the analysis results.

IRB Management 5%

• Assist in maintaining IRB protocols. Ensure IRB and HIPAA compliance.
  
  

Study Data Management 10%

• Score and manage study data; clinical ratings, medical and demographic information, intelligence assessments, and cognitive performance data.
  
  

II. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACTIVITY (5% EFFORT)

• Participate in activities of professional societies via presentations of research findings of ongoing studies.
• Assist in preparations of research presentations and manuscript preparations.
  
  
• Attend educational opportunities at the MIND institute, including the Research Seminar Series which provides a forum for the presentation and discussion of research issues and findings by Institute faculty, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. The successful candidate will also attend the Distinguished Lecturer Series which are invited talks by highly respected scientists from around the world.

III. UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE (2% EFFORT)

• Participate in committees within the MIND Institute, the psychiatry department, college, campus and other University entities, as appropriate.

Department:

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science or a related field by 2024 Spring with an average GPA of 3.5 or above.

Minimum of 2 years of experience in human neuroscience or psychological research.

Strong quantitative skills.

Experience in data scoring and management.

Experience assisting in MRI scan preparation and acquisition.

Knowledge of statistics and application of statistics while organizing and analyzing behavioral and imaging data.

Good oral and written communication skills to effectively work with physicians, patients and families, clinical staff, research staff, and other health care professionals.

Ability to manage multiple large tasks simultaneously while maintaining clear organization.

Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines and work in a busy, goal-based environment.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Effective interpersonal communication skills to maintain an effective, positive and cooperative relationship with staff, students, faculty, co-workers, public and outside contractors.

Experience directly working with children, adolescents, and adults with autism or other developmental disabilities.

Programming experience in R, Python, Matlab, SPSS, and Shell.

Experience in IRB.

Experience in clinical as

Application Requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Transcripts/Unofficial Transcripts (Optional)

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Help contact:

About UC Davis

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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:

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:

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