Assistant Researcher

27272BR

Bureau of Child Research

Position Overview

The BRAIN lab (http://brainlab.ku.edu/ ) is seeking one Assistant Researcher to help lead our studies of brain and behavior linkages in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Our lab has multiple ongoing research projects investigating cognitive and sensorimotor abilities and their underlying brain systems in individuals with ASD and individuals with FXTAS.  These clinical research projects are conducted through the Clinical Child Psychology Program (https://clchild.ku.edu/ ) and the Life Span Institute (http://www.lsi.ku.edu/ ) at the University of Kansas and in collaboration with the Kansas Center for Autism Research and Training (KCART: http://kcart.ku.edu/ ), the Division of Developmental Pediatrics at KUMC (https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/care/specialties/child-health-development ), and the Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center (http://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/hoglund-brain-imaging-center.html ), providing diverse research and clinical training opportunities.

Responsibilities for the position include administering neuropsychological, eye movement and MRI tests, scoring cognitive and sensorimotor test data, data entry, preparing Institutional Review Board (IRB) reports, helping to lead weekly lab meetings, and helping to coordinate the research team consisting of doctoral students, postdoctoral research trainees, multiple faculty collaborators and several full-time staff. This position provides the opportunity to gain invaluable experience working with clinical populations, developing skills in psychological and neuropsychological testing, and participating in each phase of the research process. 

The position will be full-time (100% FTE). We are seeking someone with strong interest in research aimed at understanding brain mechanisms of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. The successful candidate will be motivated to learn new clinical and research skills, have a strong attention to detail, be comfortable working with patients ranging in age from early childhood to late adulthood, show skill in working collaboratively with trainees and faculty colleagues, and be invested to help manage current and new clinical studies for multiple years. Start date for the position is flexible between April, 2024-July, 2024. The position is located in Lawrence, Kansas in the Dole Human Development Center (1000 Sunnyside Avenue) and the Wakarusa Research Facility (1315 Wakarusa Drive). Additional testing may be conducted at the KU Edwards campus in Overland Park, KS, the Hoglund Brain Imaging Center in Kansas City, Kansas, and the Landon Center for Aging in Kansas City, KS. Candidates must successfully pass a background check.

Job Description

The Assistant Researcher will work directly with Drs. Mosconi and Unruh as well as Dr. Robin Shafer, postdoctoral fellows, doctoral students, staff, faculty colleagues and undergraduate students in the lab on ongoing studies. They will be tasked with the following responsibilities:

60% - Laboratory administration: Coordinate with research participants, sites, or programs to facilitate study objectives, including the recruitment and scheduling of research participants, organizing team and laboratory meetings for the labs of Drs. Mosconi and Unruh, and work with KU personnel for purchasing, upgrading and maintaining equipment and complying with human subjects regulations. The coordinator also will work directly with the PIs and lab members to support grant submissions and manuscript preparation, including identifying and entering study references, data analysis, and assisting in preparing all required materials.

40% - Research assessments: Administration of research assessments with individuals with ASD and related conditions (e.g., FXTAS) ranging in age from 12 months – later adulthood. Tasks include administration of clinical report measures and neuropsychological, eye movement, sensorimotor and functional MRI tests. Scoring of standardized and experimental tests as well as data entry and analysis also will be conducted by the research coordinator in collaboration with members of the team and the PI.

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Candidate Instruction

A complete online application includes:

• Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications
• Resume/Vitae
• Contact information for three professional references

Advertised Salary Range

$33,000

Application Review Begins

07-Mar-2024

Anticipated Start Date

25-Mar-2024

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

Employee Class

U-Unclassified Professional Staff

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 40/hours

Conditions of Employment

Contingent on Funding

Work Location Assignment

On-Site

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.