Junior Specialist in Psychosis Study

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The Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior at the University of California, Davis invites applications for qualified Junior Specialists (JPF04816) to serve as the study coordinator for the Defining the Neural Circuitry of Agency Deficits in Psychotic Disorders study at UC Davis Medical Center.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Research (90%)
This study is under the direction of Dr. Wilsaan Joiner and in collaboration with Dr. Cameron Carter’s Translational Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (TCAN) Laboratory. The goal of the study is to use tools from cognitive neuroscience to explore how disruptions in a person’s ability to distinguish external versus self-initiated actions may influence visual perception and contribute to positive symptoms of psychosis (e.g., hallucinations and delusions). The incumbent will benefit from the opportunity to take part in research that spans two laboratories with expertise in sensorimotor integration and psychosis. Office space and the majority of daily research activities will take place at the UC Davis Imaging Research Center in Sacramento with visits to the Sensorimotor Integration Laboratory in Davis as needed.

The incumbent will coordinate many aspects of the research study. The incumbent will use knowledge of mental health conditions to conduct phone evaluations to determine study eligibility of potential participants. The incumbent will also consent study participants and schedule all of their research appointments. The incumbent will conduct clinical interviews for research purposes under the supervision of a faculty member and will conduct behavioral and MRI testing sessions. The incumbent will manage the study IRB protocols, adhering strictly to privacy and confidentiality laws. The incumbent will also manage data collection and organization, including mentoring undergraduate volunteers in the input of data to multiple databases. Depending on their contribution and role in the lab the incumbent may have the opportunity to contribute to writing and review of relevant manuscripts. Furthermore, the incumbent may have the opportunity to creatively contribute to the research project by proposing alternative analysis strategies, generate novel projects with existing data, and review literature for manuscript preparation. The incumbent will be actively and significantly involved in publishable research activities, including reviewing journal articles and engaging in discussions on research and the interpretation of research results with PI and others in the lab.

Professional Competence (5%)
This position requires strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills; excellent time management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work well independently and as part of a team. The incumbent may have the opportunity to submit data for presentation at relevant conferences, such as Society for Biological Psychiatry or Society for Neuroscience (if funding is available). The incumbent is expected to actively participate in weekly lab meetings, journal club presentations, presentations from outside speakers. The incumbent will also participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and/or review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of expertise. Finally, we hold optional but highly recommended weekly workshops to help incumbents develop their career goals and prepare materials for applications to graduate school, medical school and other careers.
 
Service (5%)
The incumbent will act as a mentor for undergraduate volunteers in the lab, and provide training in lab procedures.

POSITION AVAILABLE/CLOSING DATE:
As openings occur, appointments are made contingent upon availability of funding. The posting will remain open until March 20, 2023 to accommodate department needs. If you would like to continue to be considered after that time you will need to submit a new application when a new position is posted. Please note: The use of a junior specialist pool does not guarantee that an open position exists.

Lab: https://joinermotorlab.weebly.com/

Department: https://npb.ucdavis.edu/

• Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, psychobiology, neuroscience or a related field (required at time of start of appointment).

• Experience collecting and organizing data
• Scheduling and/or calendaring experience
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple work demands simultaneously
• Experience working in a team-oriented research environment

• Previous experience working with adolescents and young adults with psychiatric disorders
• Fluency in Spanish (oral & written)

• 3 required (contact information only)

Applicants will supply the contact information for references and the search committee will contact references if the applicant is selected for an interview.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

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As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program Policy. All Covered Individuals under the policy must provide proof of Full Vaccination or, if applicable, submit a request for Exception (based on Medical Exemption, Disability, and/or Religious Objection) or Deferral (based on pregnancy) no later than the applicable deadline. New University of California employees must (a) provide proof of receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 Vaccine no later than 14 calendar days after their first date of employment and provide proof of Full Vaccination no later than eight weeks after their first date of employment; or (b) if applicable, submit a request for Exception or Deferral no later than 14 calendar days after their first date of employment. (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.) Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.