Neuroimaging Research Assistant

About the role

The Neuroimaging Research Assistant at Stanford University is responsible for performing neuroimaging-related research, including participant recruitment, data management, and MRI scanning sessions. This position works closely with the principal investigator to ensure patient safety and adherence to research protocols.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact with research participants, sponsors, and regulatory agencies.
• Coordinate studies from startup through close-out.
• Determine eligibility of and gather consent from study participants according to protocol.
• Aid in developing recruitment strategies.
• Collect and manage patient and laboratory data for clinical research projects.
• Manage research project databases, develop flow sheets and other study related documents, and complete study documents/case report forms.
• Maintain research project databases, manage expenditures, adhere to study budgets, and resolve billing issues in collaboration with finance and/or management staff.
• Interact with the principal investigator regularly, ensuring patient safety and adherence to proper study conduct.
• Ensure essential documentation and recording of patient and research data in appropriate files per institutional and regulatory requirements.
• Install complex research computing hardware and software.
• Maintain computer software, track all software updates, and test equipment function after such updates.
• Operate MRI machines safely and effectively.
• Arrange, schedule, and execute multiple neuroimaging scanning sessions per week.
• Help design and execute on participant recruitment strategies for healthy participants and people with aphasia, cerebral palsy and ALS and related disorders.
• Maintain data collection records tracking all relevant aspects of each neuroimaging session.
• Ensure data quality through regular inspection of data and regularly running analysis pipelines on newly collected data.
• Meet regularly with researchers to plan and practice execution of research sessions.
• Assemble unique systems to perform new, unusual or special tests.
• Conduct a broad range of experiments involving advanced technology; contribute to the design of experimental protocols to achieve the scientific objectives of the research project.
• Work closely with Supervisor and with colleagues at other universities.
• Assist with other neurotechnology research projects, as assigned by Supervisor.
• Function as the principal technical specialist for the research unit or for a specific research project.
• Attend weekly lab meetings (in person at Stanford University or by videoconference); may present data.
• Submit abstracts, present posters, and assist with research manuscripts.
• Assist with participant recruitment efforts.
• Lead some aspects of event planning, such as assembling invite lists or securing a venue.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in engineering, biology or neuroscience.
• 1-2 years related experience in neuroscience or electrical or computer engineering.
• Extraordinary interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a complex, multi-institutional team.
• Ability to comfortably and sensitively interact with study participants.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative and prioritize tasks.
• Ability to coordinate activities with colleagues at multiple sites.
• Superb organizational skills and ability to multi-task.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to document research activities.
• Familiarity with Linux / Unix command line is advantageous.
• Experience with data analysis in Python is advantageous.
• Experience in neuroimaging is advantageous.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in the English language.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Safeguards the privacy of information and keeps appropriate information confidential.
• Ease interacting with and taking direction from multiple levels including physicians, scientists, and engineers via teleconferences and/or videoconferences.
• Previous experience in a research environment is advantageous.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in related scientific field, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrated experience applying multidisciplinary scientific principles and practices to perform and assist with experimental design and coordinate laboratory activity.
• Demonstrated experience with analysis and interpretation of research data, and ability to recognize irregularities and invalid results.
• Demonstrated ability to organize data and develop models allowing for integration and display of data.
• Basic experience with scientific software applications, systems, or programs relevant for the job.
• Ability to coordinate and work with scientific or research staff and assist with technical procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and to provide information to scientific and research staff.