Description
The Research Specialist will be responsible for assisting with multiple aspects of a NIH-funded Center grant at the Center for Adolescent Rewards, Rhythms and Sleep (CARRS) examining sleep, circadian rhythms, brain function, mood, and behavior in adolescents. This individual would be primarily responsible for conducting clinical interviews (assessing various psychiatric, sleep, and substance use disorders), implementing a behavioral sleep intervention, and collecting data during sleep lab visits with adolescent participants (including fMRI visits).
The Research Specialist will work closely with the study coordinator, other research staff, the data manager, the staff of the Sleep and Behavioral Neuroscience Center and the Magnetic Resonance Research Center and will also be involved in recruitment efforts and consent visits. The ideal candidate has experience with counseling or diagnostic interviews, has experience with or an interest in providing behavioral therapy to adolescents, and has an interest in psychiatric and/or bio-medical research. Additionally, this candidate will have excellent communication skills, is highly organized, enjoys working in a collaborative work environment, enjoys new learning experiences, and embodies a professional work ethic: timeliness, dependability, adaptability, and leadership skills. The position requires some early evening and weekend hours.
This position is grant funded.
Purpose:
Independently execute job functions for research protocol(s). Collect and gather research data for research project.
Responsibilities:
- Conducting diagnostic interviews (including psychiatric, sleep, and substance-oriented structured interviews) and delivering the behavioral intervention.
- Data collection of study protocol, including behavioral tasks and fMRI scans.
- Assisting with recruiting and enrolling participants, conducting study visits, and following participants through study completion.
- Maintain a flexible schedule to ensure adequate numbers of assessments as outlined in the protocol.
- Performs other research duties as assigned.
- Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Psychology, Neuroscience, Social Work, Counseling, Sociology, or related research field.
- Minimum of one year of work experience in a research project and/or related clinical setting is required.
- Prior experience with counseling, conducting clinical interviews and/or behavioral interventions is preferred.
- Previous experience with adolescents and/or families is preferred.
- Familiarity with computers and common software packages required.
- Working knowledge of research methodology strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of DSM-5 preferred.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends (including potentially on some Saturdays and/or Sundays).
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
- Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCMC)
- Act 34 with renewal
UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
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