Neuro Imaging Research Technician II - Psychiatry

Position Summary
The Laboratory for Child Brain Development (LCBD-PI: Dr. Susan Perlman) currently has an opening for a research assistant to work on NIH funded studies of temperament, the parent-child relationship, and biological stress unfolding during early childhood.
The applicant’s main appointment will be in the Laboratory for Child Brain Development (LCBD; http://www.childbrainlab.com) in the Department of Psychiatry in the Washington University, School of Medicine, William Greenleaf Eliot Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (https://childpsychiatry.wustl.edu/). The LCBD is dedicated to using multi-modal methodology to understand the trajectories of emotional development from infancy to middle childhood (with a strong preschool focus). Currently, the LCBD has several ongoing projects including: 1) Biological changes in children experiencing stressful life events; 2) Longitudinal development of preschool irritability as a predictor for psychopathology; 3) Interpersonal brain synchronization in early childhood psychopathology, including autism spectrum disorder; 4) The impact of treatment for disruptive behavior on brain development and; 5) Brain development in preschool children who were born dependent on opioids, in addition to several local and national collaborations. The research assistant will mostly be working on two studies.  The first is a longitudinal study investigating the biological unfolding of stress and how it predicts the onset of psychopathology in 4-7 year-old children. This study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health employs intensive, state-of-the-art, multi-modal, neurodevelopmental measurement including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), HPA axis measurement (hair and salivary cortisol), and inflammatory markers. The second is a NIH funded, longitudinal study investigating the transmission of anxiety from parent to child through dyadic interaction and biological synchrony. This study is also multi-modal and includes fNIRS, EEG, eye-tracking, and behavioral coding. The research assistant will also be aiding with data preprocessing and analysis from previously collected studies. Additional, multi-modal studies within the laboratory employ eye tracking, facial expression and behavioral coding, and sleep actigraphy, hair cortisol.  
This is an ideal position for a candidate looking to gain research experience before applying to graduate or medical school.  The research assistant will be an integral member of this scientific team and will have opportunities to earn authorship on publications and present posters at scientific meetings. Position requires a bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, engineering or a related field. The ideal candidate will demonstrate interest in child development, strong motivation, work ethic, and organizational skills, and will combine collaborative orientation with the ability to function well independently. Flexibility in scheduling during some weekend and evening hours is required. This position requires experience in a research laboratory environment (whether through previous work experience or during undergraduate studies). Previous experience with children and families is required. The research assistant will be expected to cooperate fully with the lab’s Covid-19 protocol for safe data collection in children.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist PI/Postdoc fellow with running study participants through magnetic resonance imaging experiments.
• Transferring files to appropriate server.
• Review study database to make sure all data has been entered.
• Running developed scripts from image processing and analysis under PI and Postdoc fellow supervision.
• Assessing basic cognitive function and behaviors with testing.
• Provide routine data entry ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Maintain study database.
• Provide the testing questionnaires to study participants.
• Prepare cognitive testing packets.
• Score cognitive testing and questionnaires for PI and Postdoc fellow.

Applicant Special Instructions

• Applicants will be considered until the position is filled. 
• Please highlight relevant experience in your cover letter. 

Preferred Qualifications

•  Experience with a brain imaging modality (fMRI, EEG, fNIRS) and/or psychophysiology (heart rate, skin conductance, pupillometry) is preferred, along with experience in computer programming languages (R, Matlab, Python).
• Experience working with children, strong background in psychology or neuroscience research.
• Demonstrated ability for attention to detail.
• Effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated technical ability including effective skills in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, etc.).

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent high school certification.
• Some college and one year of related experience in imaging research.

Grade
R06-H

Salary Range
$16.08 - $25.12 / Hourly

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Accommodation

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Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

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