Autism Research Assistant - 134117

Current UC San Diego Health Neurosciences employees who apply by 1/29/2025 will have priority consideration for this position. Recruiters will refer qualified internal candidates after the first 7 days of the job posting. All qualified external applicants and additional internal applicants who apply after the priority date may have further consideration pending the results of the initial review.

The Autism Center of Excellence is part of the Department of Neuroscience at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Research at the Center focuses on identifying biomarkers and subtypes of autism to advance precision medicine approaches. Studies involve clinical testing and deep phenotyping, eye tracking, functional genomics, and molecular and cellular neurodevelopmental biology, as well as MRI, DTI, and fMRI. This work has received national and international recognition and integrates behavioral, developmental, genomic, neuroanatomical, and neurofunctional data to uncover autism biomarkers and enhance our understanding of the disorder's neurobiology.

The Center also investigates typical development alongside that of toddlers experiencing language or other delays by analyzing behavioral trajectories through standardized testing and videotaped interactions with caregivers in combination with sophisticated data analytic approaches. With ten Ph.D. faculty and staff, as well as numerous distinguished collaborators, the Center has secured over $40 million in grants over the past decade, including more than $10 million in NIH funding.

Under the close supervision of the Co-Directors of the Autism Center of Excellence and Co-Principal Investigator, the successful candidate will have three primary areas of responsibility.

The incumbent will manage a newly funded NIDCD grant focused on "late talkers," aimed at understanding the factors influencing language trajectories in toddlers. This involves overseeing videotape coding and conducting comprehensive data analyses related to language growth, utilizing standardized test scores from toddlers with various developmental conditions. The position will require proficiency in statistical software and methodologies to analyze data trends and generate reports on language development outcomes.

The incumbent will support ongoing research studies in eye tracking and brain imaging, which involves data collection and analysis. Due to the nature of brain imaging, data collection occurs at night while toddlers are asleep, requiring some nighttime hours once or twice per week. The incumbent will also need to acquire the skills necessary to become a certified MRI research scan operator, performing these responsibilities at a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

The incumbent will assist with general clinical coordinator responsibilities, including scheduling patient appointments, ordering supplies, and ensuring the smooth operation of the laboratory. They may also be required to visit various pediatric offices in San Diego County to support the Get SET Early program that provides referrals to the Center. This position will be responsible for reporting to the Directors on a weekly basis regarding the progress of ongoing studies they are involved in, highlighting key findings from data analyses and any challenges encountered.

Additional responsibilities may include collaborating with other research staff, contributing to the preparation of grant proposals, and participating in team meetings to discuss study protocols and strategies for data interpretation. The ideal candidate should possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a keen interest in autism research.

• Four years of related experience, education/training, OR a Bachelor's degree in related area.

• Experience working in a clinical research laboratory.

• Experience working with toddlers or young children and their parents in clinical, research or educational settings.

• Ability to convey scientific information via strong phone skills/dispensing information concerning research study in a discreet, professional manner.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with strong, demonstrated ability to communicate orally. Possess skills of tact, poise, diplomacy, confidentiality and flexibility. Ability and willingness to work independently and/or in a team framework in conjunction with principles of community and with a diverse population of staff, faculty, and others. Ability to effectively contribute to discussions regarding procedures and goals of unit.

• Experience working with children with autism. Knowledge of the autism clinical and research required in order to explain to parents of typically developing toddlers why their participation is so important, as well as to assist in the guidance/training of LAs and students. Awareness of autism-related news media and popular press; ability to speak knowledgeably with parents about these topics.

• Interest in further developing research skills and knowledge in early autism development and neuroimaging biomarkers of autism.

• Demonstrated attention to detail and excellent listening and observation skills.

• Solid computer skills using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email systems, and statistical software such as SPSS or R and a variety of web-based programs. Ability to adapt to both PC and Macintosh platforms. Demonstrated ability to gather, enter accurate data, create and maintain databases, analyze data, perform standard computer tasks, learn new programs/applications with minimal direction.

• Able to create and maintain accurate databases and filing systems that adapt to a changing work environment, as well as ability to document and explain to others hot to use these systems.

• Ability to use and generate queries from a database under direction from senior Center scientists.

• Ability to assist the PI and other Center staff in coordinating and providing work direction for lab assistants and students and further develop recruitment and subject tracking procedures with the PI.

• Excellent time management and strong demonstrated organizational and multi-tasking skills. Ability to establish priorities, meet multiple and frequently changing deadlines with flexibility, process a high volume of work while under pressure, and maintain a high level of accuracy.

• Ability to work in a team setting, as well as independently.

• Reliable, dedicated and motivated work habits.

• Ability to perform data searches and reviewing literature.

• Good project organization skills.

• Ability to speak knowledgeably about study procedures in order to explain these procedures to parents, pediatricians and the public.

• Master's degree

• Experience interacting with pediatricians and/or staff in a clinical research context.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

• Must have access to reliable transportation.

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.

• Must be willing to work evenings and weekends to assist in the collection of neuroimaging nighttime scans from toddlers.