Job Information
UCLA Health Staff Research Associate I - Pediatric Autism Study in Los Angeles, California
Description
The Semel Institute is seeking to hire a full time Staff Researcher I. Under the supervision of the PI, the Staff Research Associate I will coordinate and perform research in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (and matched controls) using MRI and psychophysiological measures, as part of a multi-site project. The SRA I may also assist with MRI data collection in infants at high risk for developing autism (and low risk controls). Duties include the following:
A. Study coordination (20%)
Recruit subjects using IRB approved recruitment materials
Conduct telephone screenings of potential subjects
Contact subjects via phone/email and schedule all study visits
Send confirmation emails prior to visits and place reminder calls before the testing days
Arrange parking and payment for research participants
Maintain participants records in orderly and accurate manner
Coordinate multi-site study by communicating with staff at other sites and preparing study procedures for use across sites
B. Assist with acquisition and analysis of imaging data as well as behavioral and psychophysiological data (60%)
Attain safety certification to operate MRI scanner
Orient subjects to MRI procedures
Operate MRI scanner to acquire brain images
Collect data from parental questionnaires
Conduct behavioral and psychophysiological assessments
Oversee the collection and storage of saliva or blood samples
Oversee the setup and maintenance of database for behavioral data
Help analyze MRI, behavioral, and psychophysiological data
Take an independent role in doing quality assurance/troubleshooting with data
Take a leadership role in writing up data for conference abstracts/manuscripts
Meet with supervisors and other study personnel on regular basis and provide
progress updates as needed
C. Assist with management of IRB protocols and submission of data to NIH repositories (10%)
Assist with submission of new IRB protocols/amendments as needed
Assist with submission of annual protocol continuation
Assist with data entry into national databases
D. Oversee undergraduates and summer interns helping with the project (5%)
Maintain records of study procedures
Train students/interns to assist with data acquisition and data entry
Train students/interns on study procedures
E. Ensure proper lab operations (5%)
Maintain supplies inventory and order
Oversee data back up as needed
Pay Range: $25.75 - $30.71 hourly.Qualifications
Degree in Psychology or related fields (e.g., Neuroscience) - Preferred
Experience interacting with pediatric populations and managing multiple investigations - Preferred
Demonstrated experience coordinating research studies with vulnerable/clinical populations - Preferred
Demonstrated experience with behavioral, psychophysiological, MRI, or genetic data - Preferred
Demonstrated experience with office software including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and graphics programs e.g., (Photoshop) and statistical software (e.g., SysStat, SPSS) - Preferred
Knowledge of UNIX operating system - Preferred
Knowledge of MRI analysis approaches - Preferred
Demonstrated skill in working independently with minimal supervision as well as ability to work in a team - Required
Ability to assess situations and problem solve using own judgment - Required
Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, with staff, researchers and research subjects and their parents - Required
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