Lab Tech​/Research Assistant

The Department of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at UT Dallas has an opening for a Laboratory Technician to join the lab of Dr. Kathryn Smith
.

This position will support an NIH
-funded research project investigating biobehavioral mechanisms of loss of control eating and related eating-disorder psychopathology in children and adolescents. The position will be based at both the UTD Department of Psychology and the UTD Brain Health Imaging Center ( BHIC ). The candidate will oversee the implementation of the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) protocol and will serve as the lab’s day-to-day presence at BHIC .

Prior hands-on experience collecting neuroimaging data is highly preferred; training on study-specific protocols will be provided. Because participants are children and adolescents accompanied by a caregiver, the applicant must also be comfortable and skilled at engaging warmly and professionally with children and families, and at explaining study procedures in a developmentally appropriate way.

This position is grant funded. Continued employment is contingent on the availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Associate degree with a minimum of two years hands on experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable.

• Prior hands-on experience collecting neuroimaging data in a research setting
• Prior research experience with children, adolescents, or families
• Familiarity with neuroimaging analysis software (e.g., AFNI, FSL, SPM ) and task presentation software (e.g., E-Prime, Psycho Py)
• Experience with mobile technology or ecological momentary assessment ( EMA ) methodology

To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

• Serve as the lab’s primary on-site presence at BHIC , running study visits for the project start to finish, including participant screening/ MRI safety checks, scanner set-up, task administration, and troubleshooting
• Work with Principal Investigators, Co-Investigators and the BHIC physicist on the development and implementation of the neuroimaging protocol
• Prepare child and adolescent participants and caregivers for the scanning environment, including mock-scanner practice and addressing scan-related anxiety
• Manage the lab’s scanning schedule and coordinate with BHIC staff
• Oversee and supervise other study staff and students working at BHIC
• Support other study data collection as needed (in-person and virtual visits, ecological momentary assessment/accelerometer set-up, recruitment)
• Assist with processing and analysis of neuroimaging data
• Meet regularly with the Principal Investigators and research team on study progress
• Maintain documentation of study procedures, imaging data, and data management plan components
• Other duties as assigned

• Motivation to learn and master new methods and techniques
• Able to work independently at an imaging center, managing a scanning schedule and troubleshooting scanner-related issues in real time
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with all levels of staff
• Ability to work effectively, patiently, and compassionately with children, adolescents, and their families
• Ability to record and report results with clarity

Work…