Imaging Specialist

Job Summary

Title: Imaging Specialist

Job Code & Class: 8353NG, Research Pro 3-Imaging Research, Civil Service

Department: Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB)

Salary Range: $68,000 - $83,000 per year, depending on education, qualifications, and experience

This position supports research conducted with the Neuroimaging Hub in the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB) and the Cognition and Neurodevelopmental Studies (CNS) Lab at the University of Minnesota. MIDB is dedicated to fostering healthy brain function across the lifespan through early neurobehavioral and mental health assessment, innovative targeted interventions, informed policy-making, compassionate child‑advocacy, and community education. The MIDB’s mission of basic and clinical research in the field of neurobehavioral development is supported by a M Health Fairview multi‑specialty clinic and multiple research service hubs including Analytics, Informatics, Neuroimaging, Center for Neurobehavioral Development, Translational Neuroscience, Neuromodulation, Tele Outreach, Community Engagement and Education, and Clinic‑Research Integration.

The CNS lab is a multi‑PI‑led research lab with a significant grant‑funding portfolio across multiple departments (Pediatrics, ICD) housed at the MIDB. The lab focuses on understanding brain and behavioral development of infants and young children. It examines the critical period of brain development in the first two years of life, a time interval of dynamic development, plasticity, and potential vulnerability.

Research participants include typically developing children, autistic children, children with agenesis of the corpus callosum, infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection, and children with Down syndrome. The Neuroimaging Hub Director, MRI team leads, and Program Director guide the work in this space.

This is a full‑time position (40 hours per week), preferring a minimum 2‑year commitment, and will continue upon availability of funds and performance. The position is based on campus and may involve remote work when appropriate and approved by the manager. The role will primarily be in person, engaging directly with families and participants completing MRI scans at 3T and 7T at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR) and the MIDB.

A flexible schedule is required to accommodate participants, including days, evenings, and weekends. Some tasks may be completed remotely. This position offers an excellent opportunity for professional growth and training within a collaborative research environment.

Imaging Data Acquisition (60%)

• Complete Human Subjects ethics and MRI training.
• Collect neuroimaging data as first chair operator with typically developing children and with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including autism, rare genetic disorders, ADHD, and other behavioral and mental health needs.
• Scan schedule will include day, evening, and weekend sessions.
• Support participant engagement, comfort, and success in scan data acquisition through positive behavior supports and strong interpersonal and child interaction skills.
• Ensure adherence to and compliance with all approved ethics, safety, and protocol procedures relating to participant privacy/confidentiality and data integrity related to MRI data acquisition.

Research Study Coordination (10%)

• Transfer and manage imaging data according to research protocol standards.
• Assist with scheduling imaging research appointments, preparing scan equipment, and organizing imaging data.
• Assist with the day‑to‑day research operations related to MRI research sessions.
• Participate with the study team in identifying solutions to complex problems to fulfill research objectives.

Training and Supervision (10%)

• Work closely with MRI team leads, MIDB Neuroimaging Hub leads, and scan teams.
• Oversee imaging second chairs.
• Ensure research staff and undergraduate research assistants adhere to imaging protocol expectations and requirements.

CNS Laboratory Support (10%)

• Attend lab and project meetings.
• Support the broader lab and imaging team as needed.
• Provide regular updates to study PIs, Program Director, and…