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Dynamic Memory Lab Junior Specialist
UC Davis Junior Specialist Recruitment
Apply via https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06823
For full consideration, apply by 14 days after posting

DESCRIPTION

The UC Davis Dynamic Memory Lab (DML) works to understand the neural basis of human memory in healthy individuals, and to understand how these mechanisms go awry in patients with memory disorders. We are seeking a bright, motivated, organized, and resourceful individual to join our research team at the UC Davis Center for Neuroscience. Responsibilities will focus on research (e.g., Experimental Design, Data Collection, and Analysis; 75% time), and lab administration in collaboration with the lab manager (e.g., management of human subjects’ protocols, scheduling of research assistants, and assistance with lab events such as talks or conferences; 15% time), and professional competence and university service (e.g., participating in lab meetings and presentations, and providing mentorship to undergraduate research assistants; 10%) .
We particularly seek applicants with programming, data analysis, and/or data management skills (e.g., experience with MATLAB, Python, R, relational databases, or other programming languages) and interests in human memory and cognitive neuroscience. Ideally, the candidate will have one year of research experience at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, as well as strong organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, and self-motivation. Although the initial appointment is for one year, preference will be given for candidates who may be available for a 2-3 year commitment, renewed annually. Previous research assistants from our lab have led and published independent research projects and continued on to top psychology and neuroscience PhD programs.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
• Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, computer science or related field (degree must be completed by start date).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• One-year research experience within the same lab, preferably in or around memory research.
• Programming experience with Python, MATLAB, and/or R.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proficiency in programming in Python, Unity, and/or MATLAB
• Proficiency in data science or multivariate data analysis techniques, including neural networks, pattern classification, mixed effects models, and/or Fourier/wavelet analysis techniques.
• Experience with scalp or intracranial EEG or MRI data acquisition or analysis.
• Work experience with aged or clinical populations.
• Experience interacting with an Institutional Review Board (IRB), including preparation and submission of IRB protocols and renewals.

RESEARCH

90% Research
The incumbent will focus on the organization and execution of fMRI, EEG, and behavioral research projects, including programming of experimental tasks, data collection and analysis, and publication of the results. Many planned research projects will build on prior work in the lab or will take existing paradigms from the general population to various patient populations. One primary line of research will revolve around patient populations who suffer from memory loss, while another line of research will focus on healthy aging populations.

The incumbent will adapt existing experimental paradigms as well as program new tasks using a variety of programming languages, including MATLAB, Python, and R. The incumbent will also be responsible for managing implementation of these studies, including data collection, training and mentoring undergraduate volunteers, and the input of data into secure databases. These tasks may focus on healthy young adults, elderly individuals, and/or patients with psychiatric or neurological disorders. Experience with these populations is a plus.
The incumbent may have the opportunity to creatively contribute to the research projects by proposing alternative analysis strategies, generate novel projects with existing data and review literature for manuscript preparation. The incumbent will be actively and significantly involved in publishable research activities, including reviewing journal articles and engaging in discussions on research and the interpretation of results with senior staff.
The incumbent will spend a small amount of time assisting the current lab manager with administrative tasks, including the maintenance of IRB protocols, the training of undergraduate volunteers, and the execution of lab events such as the hosting of outside speakers.

Experiment Design and Programming
• Use prior knowledge of experimental design and programming methods to develop new behavioral, fMRI, and EEG experiments, in collaboration with the Principal Investigator and lab postdocs and graduate students.

Data Collection and Analysis
• Complete training to assist with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies and to operate MRI scanners at the UC Davis Imaging Research Center.
• Complete training for human subjects’ research and obtain informed consent from research participants.
• Work with postdoctoral researchers and graduate students to collect and analyze pilot data in order to determine the effectiveness of various experiments.
• Schedule research participants for testing sessions.
• Conduct behavioral assessments with research participants including computerized and paper-and-pencil tests of multiple aspects of cognitive functioning.
• Prepare participants and collect data for scalp electroencephalography (EEG) studies and for intracranial EEG studies performed at UC Davis Center for Neuroscience, and UC Davis Medical Center.
• Collect data for fMRI and EEG experiments, in collaboration with the Principal Investigator, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students.
• Analyze results from behavioral, EEG, and fMRI studies using software packages such as SPM, BRAINIAK, FSL, FMRI Prep, FieldTrip, ERPlab, and in-house data analysis scripts and software.
• Coordinate research collaborations with faculty at UC Davis (Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery), and with collaborating scientists at other institutions (UC Berkeley, NYU, Harvard, Princeton, Washington University, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base).
• Maintain databases of all study data, including demographic, symptom, and cognitive data.
• Maintain organized records for all participants in locked filing cabinets.

Assist Current Lab Manager with Administrative Tasks

• Maintain accurate enrollment counts and demographic information on human subjects.
• Calculate quarterly enrollment counts for submission to funding sources.
• Ensure lab volunteers are trained on appropriate lab procedures.
• Assist with daily lab maintenance.

PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
5% Professional Competence
The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to work independently, and as part of a team. The incumbent may have the opportunity to submit data for presentation at relevant conferences, such as Society for Neuroscience (if funding is available).

● Actively participate in weekly lab meetings, journal club presentations, presentations from outside speakers, and weekly workshops to help incumbents develop their career goals.
● Participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups.

UNIVERSITY SERVICE

5% Service
The incumbent will mentor undergraduate student assistants in the lab.
● Provide mentorship to undergraduate research assistants.
● Incumbent will participate in and help organize a variety of community outreach activities at the Center for Neuroscience.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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