Research Associate , Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute

Departmental Overview

The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (HWNI) is the nexus for campus-wide multidisciplinary neuroscience research at UC Berkeley. We are a research unit within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, with over 70 faculty members from many different academic departments and schools. This unique cross‑departmental structure brings together experts from a variety of fields to use the power of interdisciplinary research to achieve breakthroughs in the study of the brain and the rest of the nervous system, and to drive the development of novel treatments and technologies.

We support our faculty and their labs in their research aims, foster opportunities for collaboration, sponsor major research initiatives, and run innovative neurotechnology and research centers. We also help train the next generation of neuroscientists through our support of the Neuroscience Department’s PhD program.

Our research mission is to deepen our understanding of the nervous system – from single molecules to human behavior – through original research and paradigm‑shifting neurotechnology innovation, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and use‑inspired research. Our scientists investigate how the nervous system functions, develops, changes, and ages, including the mechanisms underlying sensation, perception, behavior, learning, cognition, and neurological disease. We are building next‑generation experimental, analytical, and theoretical approaches to probe the nervous system and develop new ways to diagnose and treat neurological diseases and disorders.

The SRA serves as the key staff member responsible for data management and data analysis of PET imaging data obtained as part of the multicenter clinical trial. The SRA is also responsible for recruiting older individuals to the Berkeley Aging Cohort Study. Responsibilities include performing neuropsychological testing, managing databases with results, creating simple reports, and assisting during imaging studies (MRI and PET scanning).

• Responsible for recruiting older individuals to the Berkeley Aging Cohort Study; reviewing results of screening questionnaires for recruitment to decide whether a potential participant meets enrollment criteria; assembling data into datasets suitable for analysis.
• Perform neuropsychological testing, manage databases with results; download and collate data from multiple databases; review results of neuropsychological tests to determine whether the subject has undergone substantial change; assist during imaging studies (MRI and PET scanning).
• Use existing software and modify existing software to extract quantitative data from a variety of image types.
• Use standard statistical software to perform statistical hypothesis testing.
• Prepare reports in written and graphical forms.
• Work with other researchers and principal investigator to develop analysis plan and explore data.

• Familiarity with MATLAB and/or Python or other programming languages.
• Experience with statistics and statistical software such as SPSS or R.
• Familiarity with multiple operating systems, especially Linux/Unix.
• Strong organizational skills, detail‑oriented, good record‑keeping.
• Ability to work independently and reliably.
• Good interpersonal skills and communication ability.

• Experience with PET or MR or other medical images.
• Experience with human subjects research.
• Some experience working with databases.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and…