Assistant Researcher - Brain Laboratory Research Coordinator

Position OverviewThe BRAIN lab (http://brainlab.ku.edu/) is seeking an 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 Description60% - 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.
• 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.
• Administration of clinical report measures and neuropsychological, eye movement, sensorimotor and functional MRI tests.
• Score standardized and experimental tests as well as data entry and analysis in collaboration with members of the team and the PI.

Required Qualifications

B.A./B.S. in a discipline related to motor control, neuroscience, psychology, geriatrics, or child development.Experience in clinical research on neurodevelopmental disorders as evidenced by application materials.Experience in a clinical research lab and in clinical research.Previous coursework in clinical psychology, clinical neuroscience, or child development, as well as coursework related to conducting research as evidenced by application materials.Excellent communication skills as evidenced in application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience participating on a clinical research team.
2. Excellent written communication skills as evidenced in application materials.
3. Experience in a clinical research lab studying child development, aging, or neurodevelopmental disorders.

Additional Candidate InstructionsA complete online application will include:

Cover letter describing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.

Resume

List of three (3) professional references

Only complete applications will be considered.

• Application review begins Monday June 3, 2024. To ensure consideration, please apply prior to this date.

Contact Information to ApplicantsDr. Matthew Mosconi: mosconi@ku.edu
Dr. Kathryn Unruh: katunruh@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range$33,000Work Schedule40 hours/weekApplication Review BeginsMonday June 3, 2024Anticipated Start DateMonday June 17, 2024Apply to Job