Department: Center for Translational Neuroscience
Rank: Research Assistant (Type B)
Annual Basis: 12 Month

Review of Applications Begins

May 29, 2023; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit a cover letter, three professional references, and a CV to the UO Careers site.

Department Summary

The Center for Translational Neuroscience (CTN) is a center within the Department of Psychology whose mission is to translate knowledge from basic neuroscience and apply it to improve well-being, promote resilience, and mitigate the effects of early adverse experiences.

The Psychology department, located within the College of Arts and Sciences, is one of the largest departments supporting significant instructional and research activities in a wide range of fields within the discipline. The Department enrolls about 1,900 students per term, with approximately 300 undergraduate Psychology majors and 80 doctoral students, and includes approximately 35 teaching faculty, emeriti faculty, research staff, graduate students, and professional/administrative staff. For more information on the Department, visit https://psychology.uoregon.edu/. For more information on the CTN, visit http://ctn.uoregon.edu/.

Position Summary

The Research Project Coordinator (PC) will work with research investigators in the Oregon Sleep Lab (OSL) to implement two NIH-funded research projects. The coordinator will oversee participant recruitment and scheduling, data collection, data safety and monitoring, data archiving, and Internal Review Board (IRB) documentation within Dr. Melynda Casement’s lab at the Center for Translational Neuroscience. The PC will also help train and oversee a team of research assistants, sleep technicians, and undergraduate researchers. The person in this position will need to be comfortable making day-to-day decisions about the implementation of the research projects.

The research projects examine the impact of sleep and circadian rhythms on reward- and stress-related brain function and mental health in adolescents and young adults. The projects involve the collection of information about sleep and circadian characteristics, lifetime and daily stressors, reward- and stress-related brain function, and symptoms of depression and alcohol use disorder. Methods of data collection include electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electrocardiography (ECG), blood pressure (BP), saliva samples for melatonin and cortisol, laboratory behavior tasks, questionnaires, and diagnostic interviews.

The PC will organize, track, and report on the recruitment and retention of research participants, data quality, data archiving, protection of human subjects, and NIH and IRB documentation. The PC will work closely with the study staff and the lab director to ensure that all procedures are completed in an accurate, timely, and professional manner. The PC is responsible for ensuring that all project staff abide by project protocols, including procedures to ensure participant safety and data confidentiality and integrity. As needed, the PC will also directly participate in assessment activities. This position requires a flexible schedule, to include evening and weekend hours to accommodate study participants' availability as needed.

Preferred candidates for the position will have experience with: 1) management of large multi-method research projects, 2) training and supervision of project staff, and 3) EEG and/or fMRI protocols and procedures. Experience with the collection or analysis of other project-related biological and clinical measures is a plus (e.g., ECG, endocrine measures, psychiatric diagnostic interviews). The PC must complete and maintain appropriate safety training and certifications as needed, including the annual MRI safety training, and bi-annual CITI Human Subjects training, and Good Clinical Practice training.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, behavioral science, or a related field.
• One year of experience recruiting study participants and conducting data collection with human subjects.
• One year of experience with database management.
• One year of experience with training and oversight of other personnel.

Professional Competencies

• Effective communication skills, with a specific capacity for sensitivity, confidentiality, diligence, and persistence with regard to engaging and retaining participants in study.
• Familiarity with customer service techniques and the ability to relay project information.
• Ability to manage multiple scheduling issues; exceptional time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and manage documentation with efficiency and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, requiring participatory decision-making and cooperative interactions among study staff.
• Knowledge of basic research methods and creative problem-solving skills.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and using the internet.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years of research experience or progressively responsible employment in a field applicable to research, or a combination of such training and experience.
• Experience with large multi-method research projects.
• Experience with fMRI and/or EEG data collection.
• Experience with IRB documentation and submission.
• Experience with supervision of other personnel.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

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