Research Specialist | The Mood and Mind Lab
Job ID: 6067485124
Status: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Shift: Day Job
Facility: UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital
Department: Hafeman
Location: 100 North Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
Union Position: No
Salary Range: $ 17.88-28.17 USD
The Mood & Mind Lab (https://www.pediatricbipolar.pitt.edu/mood-mind-lab) uses precision clinical and brain measures to better understand early trajectories for mood disorders (especially bipolar disorder) in young people with and at-risk for mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder. We are seeking a full-time Research Specialist to join our team, contributing to an ongoing study assessing the mechanisms of a mindfulness (vs. health & wellness) intervention to target emotion dysregulation in young people.
The Research Specialist will report to the Lead Research Projector Coordinator and Dr. Hafeman. The position will entail responsibilities including running neuroimaging visits, monitoring participant data (e.g., scales, EMA data), assisting with analyzing neuroimaging data, and assisting with designing and programming behavioral and neuroimaging tasks.
This position is grant funded.
Responsibilities:
- Performs neuroimaging assessments, including scheduling appointments at the CMU-Pitt BRIDGE center, training participant on tasks and the mock scanner, running experiments, and administering scales.
- Works with PI and research staff to ensure that participants complete self-report assessment and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) protocols.
- Assists with data transfer, quality control, and analysis of neuroimaging, behavioral, and EMA data.
- Assists with design and programming of behavioral and neuroimaging tasks.
- Maintains ongoing records for subject tracking and clinical assessment records in an organized and in a manner easily accessible by the appropriate research faculty and staff.
- Explain the research protocols and obtain informed consent from participants as needed.
- Interfaces effectively with research and clinical staff to maintain efficient communication about subjects, scheduled interviews, data collection, data entry, quality control issues and reports.
- Attends and participates in all project-related meetings, including clinical and research team meetings.
- Aids in quality control and preprocessing of neuroimaging data.
- Completes and maintains required education and certification in Human Subjects Protection and Good Research Practice.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Psychology, Neuroscience, or related field.
- At least 1 year of research experience in either psychology or clinical neuroscience preferred.
- At least 1 year of experience working with children and adolescents preferred.
- Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Package (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook)
- Familiarity with a programming language for data analysis (e.g., Matlab, R, or Python)
- Highly responsible and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Ability to maintain flexible schedule including many evenings and some Saturday hours.
- Strong organizational skills, including ability to effectively prioritize, complete multiple tasks, and maintain a high attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal, and written/oral communication skills, with ability to establish and maintain rapport with research subjects and families.
Licensure/Certification:
- Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCM)
- Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
- Act 33 with renewal
- Act 34 with renewal
- Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
CAREER GROWTH
Grow Your Nursing Career
Spanning over 20 clinical specialties and more than 50 unique nursing roles, every nurse at UPMC can achieve and advance their goals with the My Nursing Career Ladder. Whether you’re looking to progress to an elevated role or continue your education, UPMC equips nurses with the resources, feedback, leadership, and benefits to help you succeed and achieve your career goals. Here’s how a few nurses have grown their careers through the years at UPMC:
Clyde C.
As a Professional Staff Nurse, Expert at UPMC Muncy, Clyde is a great example of someone who has taken advantage of UPMC’s My Nursing Career Ladder to grow his career while remaining in the same hospital location.
Clyde’s Career Journey:
⦁ 2017: Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Muncy
⦁ 2021: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Muncy
⦁ 2022: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse II – UPMC Muncy
⦁ 2022-present: Professional Staff Nurse, Expert – UPMC Muncy
Michelle B.
In her current role as a Professional Staff Nurse, Expert at UPMC Presbyterian, Michelle cares for patients with chronic and ongoing health issues as part of a Medical-Surgical unit. Michelle enjoys the daily change that Med-Surg nursing brings, and has found a career path that is interesting, meaningful, and full of opportunity.
Michelle’s Career Journey:
⦁ 2019: Staff Nurse – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2020: Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2021: Professional Staff Nurse, BSN – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2021: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, BSN – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2022: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse II, BSN – UPMC Presbyterian
⦁ 2023: Professional Staff Nurse, BSN, Expert – UPMC Presbyterian
Born in Syria, Jouli H. had a childhood dream of becoming a nurse. After moving to the United States and initially pursuing a different career, Jouli decided to return to school when she turned 30, returning to the hope and dream she had as a little girl. After attending UPMC Mercy School of Nursing, Jouli has continued her UPMC career journey, even becoming a mother along the way.
Jouli’s Career Journey:
⦁ 2020: Staff Nurse – UPMC Mercy
⦁ 2020: Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Mercy
⦁ 2021: Professional Staff Nurse, BSN – UPMC Mercy
⦁ 2022: Professional Staff Nurse, BSN, Casual – UPMC Mercy
⦁ 2023: Sr. Professional Staff Nurse, BSN, Casual – UPMC Mercy
Keshon might have only started his nursing career 3 years ago, but he has made the most of his time at UPMC! Through tuition assistance and mentorship by coworkers, Keshon has gained experience and grown as a nurse, leader, and UPMC team member. Before his current role with UPMC Travel Staffing, Keshon proudly worked as a staff nurse in his hometown of McKeesport.
Keshon’s Career Journey:
⦁ 2020: Professional Staff Nurse – UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside
⦁ 2020: Professional Staff Nurse, BSN – UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside
⦁ 2020: Staff Nurse – UPMC McKeesport
⦁ 2020: Staff Nurse, BSN – UPMC McKeesport
⦁ 2021: Bed Flow Coordinator – UPMC McKeesport
⦁ 2022: Administrator On Duty – UPMC McKeesport
⦁ 2022-present: RN – UPMC Travel Staffing, MS
BENEFITS AND LIFE AT UPMC
We know that you have many options when choosing where to build your career. So why choose UPMC? We can think of a few reasons.
Work-Life Balance
Finding the ideal balance to manage the important elements in your life.
Development & Opportunities
Enhancing your career through continued learning opportunities and/or advancement.
Compensation
Receiving competitive pay for the work that you do – base pay, merit, and premium pay.
Performance & Recognition
Rewarding performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC.
Benefits
Providing assistance and security to meet the current and future needs of you and your family.
Work-Life Balance
Finding the ideal balance to manage the important elements in your life.
Development & Opportunities
Enhancing your career through continued learning opportunities and/or advancement.
Compensation
Receiving competitive pay for the work that you do – base pay, merit, and premium pay.
Performance & Recognition
Rewarding performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC.
Benefits
Providing assistance and security to meet the current and future needs of you and your family.
Benefits that Matter to You
We’re committed to providing benefits that meet your needs and support your well-being in all areas of life.
- Earn over 5 Weeks of Paid Time Off Every Year
- Affordable Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage
- Student loan assistance and tuition reimbursement options
- Earn up to 8% of your eligible pay in retirement contributions from UPMC
- Employer-Paid Life Insurance
Benefits that Matter to You
We’re committed to providing our employees with benefits that meet their needs and support their well-being in all areas of life.
- Earn over 5 weeks of paid time off every year
- Affordable medical, dental & vision coverage
- Student loan assistance and tuition reimbursement options
- Earn up to 8% of your eligible pay in retirement contributions from UPMC
- Employer-paid life insurance
Support for You – and Your Family
Your career doesn’t impact just you, but the people you care about, too. We’re making sure your career works for the whole family.
- Two Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
- Family Planning Resources
- Tuition Assistance for Dependents
- Comprehensive Health Care for Dependents
- Emergency Child and Elder Care Options
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Support for You – and Your Family
Your career doesn’t impact just you, but the people you care about, too. We’re making sure your career works for the whole family.
- Flexibility to choose the shifts and work arrangements work best for your lifestyle
- Two weeks of paid parental leave
- Family planning resources
- Comprehensive health care for dependents
- Emergency child and elder care options
A Culture That Cares
At UPMC, you can find a home among people who share your passions and care about who you are.
- Employee Resource Groups
- Awards for Champions of Dignity & Respect
- Center for Engagement & Inclusion
- Programs for Veteran Engagement
A Culture That Cares
UPMC is a place where you can find a home, no matter your gender, race, sexual orientation, age, or culture, and where you can meet people who share your passions and care about you.
- Employee resource groups
- Awards for champions of dignity & respect
- Center for Engagement & Inclusion
- Programs for Veteran Engagement
Tools to Reach Your Potential
Once you become a member of our team, the journey doesn’t stop there. UPMC is committed to supporting your growth and helping you build the career of your dreams.
- Up to $6,000 of Annual Tuition Assistance
- Ongoing Learning via Linkedin Learning
- Accelerated Career Pathways for Growth
- Robust Instructor-led Education and Learning Pathways
Tools to Reach Your Potential
Once you become a member of our team, the journey doesn’t stop there. UPMC is committed to supporting your growth and helping you build the career of your dreams.
- Unlimited educational possibilities, including no-cost BSN and MSN programs
- Robust career ladders for every nurse – no matter your specialty, location, or career stage
- Up to $6,000 of annual tuition assistance
- Ongoing learning opportunities
Expansive Opportunity
Where do you want to go with your career? Wherever it is, UPMC can take you there.
- 96,000+ Employees
- 40 Hospitals and 800+ Doctors’ Offices and Outpatient Sites
- Dozens of Career Ladders to Climb
- International Locations
- State-of-the-Art Technology
Expansive Opportunity
Where do you want to go with your career? Wherever it is, UPMC can take you there.
- 96,000+ employees
- 40 hospitals and 800+ doctors’ offices and outpatient sites
- International locations
- State of-the-art technology
Read More about Nursing at UPMC
Through tuition assistance and mentorship by coworkers, Keshon launched his nursing career in his hometown of McKeesport.
Since growing up in Syria, Jouli H.’s story has been one that inspires all of us to remember how empowerment can truly change someone’s life.
We asked our nurses to shed some light on what Med-Surg nursing means to them. Get to know Med-Surg nursing – in four words – from UPMC nurses!
