Pay Grade: 28N

Job context:

The Connectomics of Anxiety and Depression (CAD) Lab is housed in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Delaware. The lab is headed by Dr. Jeffrey Spielberg, Principal Investigator (PI). Relevant research in the lab seeks to identify and understand the manner in which brain connections become disturbed in pathological anxiety (e.g., panic, PTSD, worry), with a particular focus on the circuitry supporting motivation and executive function. We examine these circuits in both healthy and at-risk adolescents, with the aim of identifying neuromaturational changes that give rise to the increased risk for anxiety observed in adolescence. In this work, we are particularly interested in the contribution of pubertal factors (e.g., testosterone) and how related individual differences may place kids at greater risk for pathology.Under the general direction of the Principal Investigator, the Research Associate I will oversee the management of IRB protocols, organizing data collection efforts, running participants through clinical assessments and MRI sessions, processing and scoring data, and monitoring the quality of data collection, among other research-related activities.The position is temporary and may be renewed on a 12-month basis, dependent upon available funding and performance. The position is ideal for motivated individuals interested in applying to graduate school in psychology or neuroscience in the future, as it will offer the opportunity for mentored research projects and developing manuscripts for publication. Ultimately, a 2-year commitment is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities: 

• Use training and independent judgment to plan, schedule, and carry out day-to-day lab activities, procedures, and research studies, ensuring efficient workflow and adequate care and treatment of research participants. This includes assisting with data processing and analysis, manuscript editing, and scheduling lab meetings.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of protocols, procedures, and techniques relating to all aspects of the research, including Institutional Review Board applications.
• Coordinate participant screening and recruitment, explaining all procedures to participants in accordance with pre-established protocols, and obtaining written consent to participate.
• Work with PI to establish appropriate data collection procedures and coordinating the collection of behavioral, hormonal, neuroimaging, and clinical data.
• Keep all lab data properly recorded, organized and stored for easy retrieval, and ensuring data integrity, quality control, and protocol compliance.
• Manage compliance with human subject protocols.
• Oversee the fiscal management of the lab by managing payments to study participants, monitoring supply inventories, and assisting with the managing of grants.
• Assist with conducting clinical diagnostic interviews, administering neuropsychological tasks, and running participants through MRI protocols.
• Assist with interviewing, training, and supervision of undergraduate research assistants; delegating work according to the individuals' skills, knowledge, and abilities.? Maintain the lab website.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, or related field, with two years related experience working or volunteering in a psychology or neuroscience lab, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail.
• Dependable, reliable, and able to consistently adhere to a schedule.
• Ability to work independently and make decisions without direct input from a supervisor.
• Ability to make people, particularly adolescents, feel comfortable in the lab setting using a professional, mature, and friendly demeanor.? Effective written and oral communication, human relations, and listening skills.
• Ability to follow research methodology and protocol.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and supervise multiple undergraduate students, including making a lab schedule, delegating tasks, and coordinating responsibilities.
• Experience with the Microsoft Office suite, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to make tables and organize complex datasets.
• Undergraduate coursework in statistical analysis and some experience with statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R) preferred.
• Experience in programming (e.g., MATLAB) as well as experience with MRI data collection and analysis (e.g., FSL, Freesurfer) is preferred.
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value.