Associate Research Scientist - Trapp Lab - Psychiatry
The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa is seeking an Associate Research Scientist to join the laboratory of Dr. Nicholas Trapp. The Associate Research Scientist will provide scientific and technical leadership in the management, design and execution of electrophysiology research, assuming full responsibility for data processing and quality control in a research lab spanning intracranial EEG and scalp EEG, often combined with neuromodulation techniques.
The Trapp Lab’s current projects aim to better understand the neuroanatomical and circuit-based pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric disorders, with an emphasis on the development and optimization of stimulation-based neurotherapeutics. Research methods include structural and functional neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and clinical trial design.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
• Identify and define ways to investigate brain changes due to neuromodulation using imaging studies, electrophysiology, and single unit recordings, including developing methodology to analyze large datasets, very accurately, within limited timelines.
• Develop hypotheses to be tested and novel methods in electrophysiology and cognitive/behavioral neuroscience to evaluate specific changes in brain function due to neuromodulation procedures. This may include creation of new protocols, software and statistical tools.
• Evaluate brain function measures such as cognitive tasks, behavior ratings and EEG recordings, and also how they are related to brain structure.
• Investigate and implement means to ensure validity of data collected, developing new protocols and electrophysiology analysis methods where necessary to address these issues.
• Perform experiments and collect and analyze data.
• Evaluate data to establish cognitive, behavioral, autonomic, and electrophysiologic effects of brain stimulation.
• Develop competency and mastery of the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation, intracranial electrical stimulation, and potentially other neuromodulation modalities such as focused ultrasound.
• Prepare research results for first author publication in reports, papers, journals, books and other media.
• Maintain an established record of participation in successfully funded research grants or contract proposals. Acquire and maintain successful research proposals with independent funding.
• Maintain and comply with all University, state, and federal regulations when required.
• Coordinate seminars, discussions and lectures for dissemination of knowledge and results of research.
• Develop new proposals for neuromodulation research and obtain support for new and/or continuing research activities.
• Maintain liaison with sponsoring agencies and organizations as well as with other research and educational institutions.
• Within a large, multi-PI lab structure, manage numerous electrophysiology projects supporting the labs joint efforts and goals, including staff selection, training, overseeing EEG analyses, mentoring trainees, monitoring of project funds, management and coordination of data generation, analysis, and identification, and the acquisition and use of equipment and facilities.
• Participate in determining research priorities and planning programs of research.
• Serve as an expert consultant on brain anatomy and electrophysiology analysis for researchers in neuromodulation studies.
• Represent University of Iowa Neuromodulation research through presentations at professional meetings at the national level.
• Train local staff and external collaborators in all aspects of EEG acquisition and analysis.
• Maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and the public, both locally and at all collaborating institutions.
• Establish and maintain standards of collaborative interaction among peers and employees that are characterized by respect, honesty and service; assure that all team members are held to similar standards and ethics; constructively manage conflict.
Classification Title: Associate Research Scientist
Department/Division: Psychiatry, Trapp Lab
Staff Type: Professional and Scientific
Pay Level: 6A
Type of Position: 50-100%
Required Qualifications Required Qualifications
• Doctoral degree or equivalent professional degree (such as MD, MBBS).
• 5 years’ related experience.
• Previous experience in signal processing.
• Experience or familiarity with all current methods of EEG data analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience managing numerous projects simultaneously, developing and enforcing strict QA requirements while processing high volumes of data.
• Must be able to demonstrate an ability to foster a welcoming and respectful work environment.
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Desirable Qualifications
• Record of obtaining independent funding.
• Record of first author publications.
• Neuroimaging processing skills.
• Single unit neural data processing skills.
• Experience interacting with a team of post-doctoral scholars, graduate students, research assistants, undergraduate students, healthcare providers, and external collaborators.
Application Process
To be considered, applicants must upload a Cover Letter and Resume (under submission relevant materials) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification.
Professional references will be required at a later time in the recruitment process.
For more information, contact lori-posey@uiowa.edu .
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
