Junior Specialist - APP/GAIN Research Program

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, Davis invites applications for a qualified Junior Specialist for the APP/GAIN Research Program at the UC Davis MIND Institute.

This position will be involved in interdisciplinary studies focusing on questions in investigating the behavioral, medical, and developmental characteristics of autism in children and adolescents. The APP/GAIN Research Program seeks to better identify and characterize different types of autism. On a broad scale, the research is aimed at finding ways to support autistic children and to identify areas of need as early as possible The APP/GAIN Research Program includes multiple studies. This position would work primarily on the APP Study: a longitudinal study that aims to understand brain development and autistic traits, with participants currently between ages 15-18.

The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team. This candidate will work closely with the APP/GAIN teams, including Dr. Christine Wu Nordahl (Principal Investigator) and Dr. Brianna Heath (Program Manager).

Position is 50% FTE, with variable work hours requiring night-time availability and hours that may change on short notice; reliable transportation to all these shifts is required. This position may be up to 30% remote; the remainder of the work will take place on the UC Davis Health campus in Sacramento.

Successful candidates will also participate in research team activities, which may include presenting at journal club, working on data analysis, and contributing to posters or papers.

The APP/GAIN Research Program embraces neurodiversity and welcomes autistic and other neurodivergent applicants.

• Assist in collection of study data, including recruitment and scheduling research participants and guiding participants through their study visits
• Learn and administer standardized research assessments and work with the study team to evaluate resulting data
• Assisting in preparation and acquisition of non-sedation MRI scans with toddlers during their natural, night-time sleep
• Contribute to data processing including scoring of behavioral assessments, MRI pre-processing, maintaining subject electronic records, and tracking subject behavioral and medical data
• Analyze data using statistical methods and programs, interpret results, and present findings to the study team
• Contribute to research publications by designing and pursuing research questions related to behavior and neurodevelopment in autism

• Collaborate with senior research personnel by assisting with data analysis and literature review
• Help prepare abstracts for scientific conference submissions under the mentorship of the research team, with the opportunity to present posters at meetings, if an abstract is accepted
• Attend monthly journal club to read, discuss, and interpret scientific articles relevant to the project; present at and lead a journal club meeting on a topic related to personal interests and career goals
• Attend regular meetings with members of the research team to discuss study progress and protocol design and implementation

• Provide interpretation of study findings to participating families by summarizing behavioral assessment results and coordinate with community physicians to provide radiological reports
• Participate in MIND Institute public events to support autistic children and families from the local community
• Assist with outreach and promotion of study programs to local organizations that support autistic children and their families in the Sacramento region

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Human Development, or a related field by August 2025
• Experience in working with preschool-aged children in a professional setting
• Experience with individuals with autism and/or other neurodevelopmental conditions
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage, and complete multiple concurrent tasks in a timely manner
• Experience in a customer, patient, or other public-facing role
• Demonstrated interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with families, children, and professionals
• Ability to independently and effectively identify resources to solve problems
• Strong demonstrated use of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Experience with MRI research and/or training on MRI safety
• Ability to safely work in an MRI environment (i.e., no medical contraindications)

• Previous human research experience in related fields (e.g., psychology, cognitive neuroscience, child development, clinical trials)
• Experience with calendaring/scheduling
• Experience or training in coordinating a human research study, such as recruiting participants and running visits
• Demonstrated ability to maintain organized data, timely tracking of information, and use of data-base systems (e.g., Microsoft Access, REDCap)

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

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

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state for federal law.

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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