Our lab at the University of Southern California is looking for a full-time Project Specialist to work on project that uses neuroimaging to investigate Alzheimer’s disease risk in a large, diverse cohort. The Project Specialist will be responsible for tracking and coordinating data analyses, delivering data summaries to collaborators, helping to develop lab protocols and quality control procedures, maintaining high levels of quality control, and training others to follow standard lab protocols related to neuroimaging analyses, quality control of data, and reporting of results. The person hired will also perform analyses of existing brain images and will assist with data preparation, and standard statistical analysis. The person hired may assist with preparation of and quality assurance for publications. Some use of the R statistical package and basic bash scripting will be needed.
Applicants should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in neuroscience, psychology, or a related field. A successful applicant will be motivated, very well-organized, careful and reliable, able to meet deadlines, and able to work both collaboratively and independently. The applicant should also have strong oral and written communication skills. Experience with MRI analysis, and a working knowledge of FSL and FreeSurfer are a plus, as is an interest in neurological or psychological diseases or disorders.
The person hired will become familiar with relevant brain anatomy and scientific papers. The Project Specialist will also become skilled with processing brain imaging data using major available and in-house neuroimaging analysis software, performing large scale statistical analyses using R, and science writing. This position would be great for candidates who would like to refine their leadership skills and gain training and experience with neuroimaging analyses before applying to a PhD program.
Our offices are located in Marina del Rey, California in the Imaging Genetics Center (http://igc.ini.usc.edu) (part of the Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute and Laboratory of NeuroImaging).
The University of Southern California Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute and Laboratory of NeuroImaging (INI, www.ini.usc.edu) are world leaders in the development of advanced computational and scientific approaches for the comprehensive mapping of brain structure and function. INI’s unique multidisciplinary environment and cutting-edge resources allow for integration of clinical, psychological and genotypic information with neuroimaging phenotypes for research questions in neurology, psychiatry and developmental neurobiology.
Essential qualifications:
- Bachelor’s (+ 2 years relevant experience) or Master’s degree in neuroscience, psychology, or a related field
- Excellent organizational skills and close attention to detail.
- Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
- Patience and ability to train others thoroughly in a kind and supportive manner.
- Strong work ethic – honest, reliable, conscientious.
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Willingness to make a two-year commitment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with large datasets
- Experience performing MRI or PET analyses
- Some background with basic statistical analyses
- Some proficiency with Bash coding or R is a plus
The hourly rate range for this position is $29.59 – $30.57. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
The university is committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for students, employees, volunteers, and visitors on our campuses and those entrusted to our care, including patients, students, and minors. To that end, the university conducts background screening, including screening for criminal convictions, on all applicants after a conditional offer of employment and as a condition of employment. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix C for specific employment screen implications for the position you are applying for.
To apply or to gain more information, please submit your CV and a cover letter describing your research interests and what you are looking for in a job.
Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree
Additional Education Requirements
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience:
2 years
Minimum Skills:
Directly related education and experience to be able to advise on project procedures and analysis techniques.
Preferred Education:
Master’s degree
Preferred Experience:
3 years
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