Research Assistant - (Part-time) - Research Professional 1

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree, or a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least four years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience conducting research with study participants (e.g., Recruit potential participants, constructing IRB protocol, building REDCap surveys)
• Prior experience working with individuals with active mental health symptomatology (this may be clinical or research experience).
• Coursework in Psychopathology and/or familiarity with Structured Clinical Interview for DSM\-V Disorders and a conceptual understanding of the DSM criteria
• Record of strong academic performance
• Coursework in Cognitive Neuropsychology, Biopsychology, Psychopathology, Human Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience, Neurobiology
• Second Chair at MRI facilities such as University of Minnesota Center for Magnetic Resonance Research
• Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to build rapport with participants
• Problem\-solving skills and attention to detail to work independently and assure accuracy
• Self\-organization and time/task management skills
• Be able to work some evenings and weekends with the ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule.

The Department of Psychiatry \& Behavioral Sciences is seeking a part\-time (10 hours per week) Research Assistant (Research Professional 1\) responsible for assisting with regulatory management and data collection with study participants. The position involves supporting a pilot research study that focuses on assessing neuroimaging markers of excitation: inhibition balance and response to a cognitive training intervention among participants with psychosis. Assessments include: DSM structured clinical interviews, neuropsychological, personality, intelligence and other related assessments. Other data collection tasks include supporting and assisting with EEG recording and MRI data collection. This position will involve in\-person data collection at the Ambulatory Research Center in the Department of Psychiatry and the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research at UMN.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

(50%) Data Collection with Research Participants:

• Conduct subject recruitment and eligibility screening, and collect informed consent
• Administer and score neuropsychological tests with human research subjects using standardized protocols (e.g., Test My Brain (TMB), Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) word reading, Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS))
• Administer structured diagnostic interviews and other clinical assessment instruments (structured assessments of social adjustment, questionnaires), which assess for psychopathology as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) for Psychological Disorders.
• Administer C\-SSRS suicide risk assessments if indicated by other assessments (e.g., MNSS, BPRS); training for C\-SSRS can be provided if needed. Must be familiar with safety protocols.
• Assist with data collection via other research study tasks (e.g., assist with EEG recordings including capping, “second chair” for fMRI imaging scans)
• Purchase lunch for participants and assist in reconciling charges
• Maintain detailed documentation of work performed. This includes scoring assessments in preparation for data entry, data entry/data management, and regulatory documentation (enrollment logs, AE logs, etc.). Documentation is expected to be completed promptly.
• Assist with participant reimbursement.

(40%) Administrative duties:

• Assist with IRB submissions, modifications, and renewals.
• Assist with purchasing of supplies and assessment material.
• As needed, assist with grant reporting, and reporting to IRB, FDA, NIH.

(10%) Quality Control Review:

• Assist PI with quality control protocols on data collection and management
• As needed, perform MRI and EEG data pre\-processing (e.g., removing movement artifacts)
• Assist PI with basic maintenance tasks related to general lab functioning

Other duties as assigned (e.g., assist PI with preparations of grant applications/conference presentations), depending on applicant interest.

The Department of Psychiatry \& Behavioral Sciences consists of an outstanding team of researchers, clinicians, and educators who provide world\-class expertise in psychiatric illness, treatment, scholarship, and scientific discovery.

Our mission is to:

• Create and disseminate new knowledge in the science of mental health
• Provide effective and innovative clinical care programs to alleviate the suffering of mental illness and promote mental resilience
• Train the next generation of interprofessional experts who will be leaders in Minnesota and beyond
• Engage in compassionate and vigorous outreach and advocacy on issues relevant to psychiatric illness, treatment, and research

You can find more information on our website at https://med.umn.edu/psychiatry.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e\-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612\) 624\-8647\.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world\-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023\), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020\), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019\), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022\).