Description
Our lab is devoted to understanding interactions of cognition and emotion, particularly their associations with mental disorder and recovery. We are looking to understand relationships between emotional information processing styles and emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety. Cognitive and physiological aspects of emotional information processing are examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), physiological assessment (measurement of pupil dilation, eyetracking, event-related potentials (ERPs) and electromyography – EMG, etc.), behavioral testing, self-report measures, and computational modeling. The job responsibilities of the Research Specialist will include contacting participants (screening, scheduling, follow-up, etc), conducting in-person behavioral, physiological, and neuroimaging assessments (greeting, consenting, computer tasks, physiological monitoring, etc.), data preprocessing, analyses, and quality checking, associated record keeping which includes detailed visit checklists/paperwork, documents that track participant visits and notes, and participation in day-to-day lab activities including attending weekly research and project meetings.
This position is grant funded.
Responsibilities:
- Independently execute job functions for research protocol(s) including recruitment, scheduling appointments, obtaining written consent forms, collecting data by conducting phone or face to face interviews for research project(s).
- Collaborate with senior research personnel regarding recruitment, data collection, outcomes of interviews, reports according to the needs of the study.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Psychology, Neuroscience, Sociology or related research field.
- Minimum of one year of work experience in a research project and/or related clinical setting is required.
- Experience with human physiological or neuroimaging assessment preferred.
- Familiarity with computers and common software packages required.
- Experience with fMRI, Matlab, and Linux/Unix preferred.
- Working knowledge of research methodology strongly preferred.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
- Act 34
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
Total Rewards
More than just competitive pay and benefits, UPMC’s Total Rewards package cares for you in all areas of life — because we believe that you’re at your best when receiving the support you need: professional, personal, financial, and more.
Our Values
At UPMC, we’re driven by shared values that guide our work and keep us accountable to one another. Our Values of Quality & Safety, Dignity & Respect, Caring & Listening, Responsibility & Integrity, Excellence & Innovation play a vital role in creating a cohesive, positive experience for our employees, patients, health plan members, and community. Ready to join us? Apply today.