Job Details

Research Assistant
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Position Number: 5942957
Location: Boston, MA
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Research Assistant

About the Opportunity

EPIC Brain Lab, Northeastern University,

Center for Cognitive and Brain Health, Northeastern University

Psychology Department, Northeastern University

Background:

We are seeking one full-time research assistant that has interests and skills for an NIH-funded project studying the effect of mindfulness with real-time neurofeedback in adolescents with depression.

This project employs MRI, mindfulness, and various clinical and behavioral assessments. Adolescents with depression will be clinically assessed (ex. KSADS) and asked to complete some behavioral assessments (ex. WASI-II). They will then be taught a mindfulness noting practice which they will be asked to employ in the MRI scanner. While in the scanner doing the noting practice, participants will receive real-time neurofeedback based on their own brain data. Clinical assessments will be repeated in a one month follow-up visit. The candidate will primarily help with recruitment and data collection, with the opportunity for data analysis.

The EPIC Brain Lab is led by PI Susan Whitfield-Gabrieli, and our primary mission is to understand the brain basis of psychiatric disorders and to promote translation of this knowledge into clinical practice. We employ multimodal neuroimaging techniques to investigate the pathophysiology of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, autism and ADHD. We focus on early detection, precision psychiatry, innovative treatments, and causal mechanisms. Each facet addresses a different critical barrier, and promotes a better understanding of clinical disorders and their treatments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The assistant's responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Managing study recruitment, (ex. Reaching out to potential participants, performing phone screens) Data collection, including:
Consenting participants
Performing clinical assessments, (ex. KSADS, C-SSRS, CDRS, etc.)
Performing behavioral assessments (ex. WASI-II, etc.)
Administer mindfulness noting practice and run MRI visit
Data management, including use and management of REDCap project
Attend weekly research and lab meetings as applicable
Opportunity for independent and collaborative data analysis and research

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in psychology, neuroscience, social work, or a related field.
Research Experience: Prior experience in a research setting, particularly involving human subjects or clinical research.
Clinical Assessment Skills: Familiarity with clinical assessments, such as KSADS, C-SSRS, or similar tools.
Data Management Skills: Experience with data management systems, preferably REDCap or similar software.
Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills for participant recruitment and interaction.
Organizational Skills: Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities effectively.
Team Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Neuroimaging Experience: Familiarity with MRI techniques and neurofeedback methodologies.
Mindfulness Training: Experience or training in mindfulness practices, particularly in clinical or research settings.
Statistical Analysis Skills: Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., MATLAB, CONN) for data analysis of fMRI.
Previous Work with Adolescents: Experience working with adolescents, particularly in a clinical or research context.

Additional Information:

This appointment is funded by an award received from an outside source. The duration of this position is contingent upon the continued availability of funding from this award at its current financial level and will be renewed yearly. Applications including a cover letter, a CV, and names of three references must be uploaded to the Northeastern University hiring portal.

Any additional inquiries may be send to whitfieldgabrieli.join@gmail.com

Expected start date: Fall 2024

DEI:

Our laboratory is fully committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in our everyday practices, our policies, and our research. We believe that the best science grows from a community of researchers who have diverse personal, cultural, and scientific backgrounds. This includes outreach efforts to groups underrepresented in science, from elementary and secondary schools to undergraduate and graduate students and to postdoctoral and faculty candidates.

We believe that we share a responsibility to make our laboratory a welcoming and supportive place for all people. We value kind and respectful interactions among us as coworkers, with our collaborators, and with the adults and children who participate in our research. Group members are prohibited from discriminating against any other member on the basis of sex, color, religion, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age or any other identity/status.

Indeed, our research aims to address many topics of diversity and equity. We aim to scientifically understand diversity in development (e.g., dyslexia, ADHD), in mental health and well-being (e.g., depression, anxiety, psychosis) and inequity (e.g., socioeconomic status), and how we can help to promote flourishing for all children and adults.

Accessibility:

Northeastern and the EPIC Brain Lab are committed to creating an accessible workspace. The EPIC Brain Lab is located in Northeastern's Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex (ISEC) which is equipped with elevators and stairs on every floor. There are also restrooms on every floor, with a gender neutral bathroom located on the first floor. ISEC also has showers available, as well as communal pantries with appliances such as fridges/freezers/microwave ovens.

This position will be a mixture of in person and remote work and can be flexible. Meetings are online or a hybrid format. For hybrid meetings individuals are encouraged to come in person if they are able to.

According to Northeastern's Policy on reasonable accommodations, "An applicant for employment may request a reasonable accommodation orally or in writing from the university employee with whom the applicant has contact in connection with the application process or through Human Resources ("HR")." If you would like to request an accommodation for this application, please reach out to Keara Greene at whitfieldgabrieli.join@gmail.com or directly to Northeastern's HR department using this contact form: https://hr.northeastern.edu/about/contact-us/

Position Type

Research

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University's commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.

To apply, visit https://northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Boston-MA-Main-Campus/Research-Assistant_R129740