Project Specialist

Position overview

The USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute and its Laboratory of fMRI Technology invite applications for a Project Specialist to support an NIH-funded, multidisciplinary study of lower urinary tract dysfunction after stroke. The project brings together investigators in neuroimaging, urology, rehabilitation, neurosurgery, and biomedical engineering at USC and Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center.

The study combines functional MRI during controlled bladder filling, diffusion MRI, urodynamic testing, and a 12-week course of noninvasive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation. Its goal is to characterize how stroke alters the functional and structural networks involved in bladder control and to identify imaging biomarkers that may predict treatment response.

• Coordinate and perform MRI research visits, including participant preparation, MRI safety screening support, scan setup, protocol execution, real-time quality monitoring, and documentation of acquisition issues.
• Assist investigators in developing and refining study protocols; recommend practical methods for MRI and clinical data acquisition, management, quality control, and statistical analysis.
• Work closely with clinical and research personnel to synchronize MRI, urodynamic, treatment, and outcome‑assessment visits and ensure protocol adherence across pre- and post-treatment time points.
• Assist with participant screening and study‑sample management, track eligibility and progression across study visits, maintain retention and follow‑up records, and support end‑of‑study evaluation activities.
• Support acquisition and quality control of anatomical, task‑based and resting‑state fMRI, and diffusion MRI data; troubleshoot artifacts and elevate scanner or protocol problems appropriately.
• Organize, curate, de‑identify, and maintain research data and metadata using reproducible conventions, including BIDS‑compatible organization where appropriate; track completeness, provenance, quality‑control results, and data‑use requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and execute reproducible neuroimaging pipelines for preprocessing and analysis of functional connectivity, activation, diffusion metrics, tractography, lesion‑related measures, and multimodal imaging outcomes.
• Integrate imaging measures with urodynamic, clinical, demographic, and treatment‑response data; perform statistical analyses for cross‑sectional and longitudinal outcomes under investigator guidance.
• Prepare analysis summaries, tables, figures, quality‑control reports, methods documentation, and results for abstracts, presentations, grant reports, and manuscripts submitted to peer‑reviewed scientific journals.
• Participate actively in team meetings; communicate progress and data‑quality concerns clearly; coordinate with collaborators; and contribute to manuscripts and other scholarly products, with authorship determined by contribution.
• Maintain and update study procedures, research instruments, and related materials; help train study personnel in protocol, data‑coding, quality‑assurance, and analysis procedures.
• Conduct protocol and data‑quality reviews, document deviations or violations, prepare regular status reports, stay current with relevant scientific literature, and assist with evaluation or maintenance of specialized imaging hardware and software.

This position involves direct interaction with stroke survivors, including individuals who may have mobility limitations, fatigue, communication differences, cognitive challenges, anxiety, or urinary symptoms that can affect comfort and dignity. The successful candidate must be patient, respectful, adaptable, and attentive to each participant's needs while maintaining research consistency and safety.

• Explain study and MRI procedures in clear, accessible language and confirm understanding throughout the visit.
• Provide a calm, welcoming, and privacy‑conscious research experience, allowing appropriate time for mobility, communication, positioning, comfort, and restroom needs.
• Recognize participant distress, fatigue, discomfort, or difficulty following…