Clinical and Translational Neuroimaging SRA - 134728

UCSD Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences is one of the most innovative and productive academic departments in the country, offering challenging career opportunities in the diverse areas of advanced educational programs, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art clinical services. The department is committed to offering a dynamic learning environment and growing opportunities to its talented and dedicated employees.

This research study uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to examine which method or combination of methods best predict preoperative cognitive performances and postoperative cognitive decline in patients with epilepsy and brain tumors.

Under supervision, the individual will work as a Staff Research Associate for studies bridging clinical neuropsychology, advanced neuroimaging, and cognitive neuroscience, primarily in patients with epilepsy and brain tumors. Duties will include: patient facing interactions: Neuropsychological testing and scoring, recruitment and scheduling of patients and healthy controls, data collection and collation, database creation and management, MRI, fMRI, DTI, iEEG scanning, data processing; administrative support functions as needed; and professional development, to include assisting with poster and paper presentations for publication and professional research conferences, manuscript preparation and grant writing.

Incumbent will collaborate with a team of neuropsychologists, neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons, cognitive scientists and neurologists, as well as postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and medical residents. Performs other duties as assigned.

• Theoretical knowledge in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry or a related field.

• Familiarity with normal and abnormal brain functioning (language and memory processing).

• Demonstrated experience in recruiting research subjects and experience working with patient populations.

• Proven ability to communicate effectively with potential study participants.

• Experience in administering standard interviews and neuropsychological tests to participants (healthy controls and patients).

• Effective writing skills for correspondence and completion of paperwork (i.e., assistance with grant and manuscript correspondence).

• Experience in scoring neuropsychological tests, MATLAB scripting and processing, creation of task stimuli to be used in neuroimaging experiments.

• Proficiency in using database software and graphics programs.

• Excellent organizational skills necessary to prioritize workload in order to meet deadlines.

• Knowledge of SPSS and R statistical packages.

• Experience with MRI acquisition and processing.

• Background in cognitive neuroscience and knowledge of brain anatomy.

• Working knowledge of research design and methodology.

• Experience in neuropsychological testing and scoring.

• Competence in statistical analysis programs.

• Strong communication skills and attention to detail.

• Master's degree.

• Ability to communicate in both English and Spanish for written and verbal communication.

• Bilingual Spanish and English neuropsychological assessment experience.

• Familiarity with: Languages: MATLAB, Python, R; Databases: REDCAP, Excel, SPSS; Image Processing: Photoshop, Coreldraw; Operating Systems: UNIX/LINUX Statistics

• Experience with AFNI and Freesurfer.

• Computer programming skills.

• Experience as an MRI operator.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.