The Mood & Mind Lab (https://www.pediatricbipolar.pitt.edu/mood-mind-lab) uses precision clinical and brain measures to better understand early trajectories for mood disorders (especially bipolar disorder) in young people with and at-risk for mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder. We are seeking a full-time Research Specialist to join our team, contributing to an ongoing study assessing the mechanisms of a mindfulness (vs. health & wellness) intervention to target emotion dysregulation in young people.

The Research Specialist will report to the Lead Research Projector Coordinator and Dr. Hafeman. The position will entail responsibilities including running neuroimaging visits, monitoring participant data (e.g., scales, EMA data), assisting with analyzing neuroimaging data, and assisting with designing and programming behavioral and neuroimaging tasks.

This position is grant funded.

Responsibilities: 

• Performs neuroimaging assessments, including scheduling appointments at the CMU-Pitt BRIDGE center, training participant on tasks and the mock scanner, running experiments, and administering scales.
• Works with PI and research staff to ensure that participants complete self-report assessment and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) protocols.
• Assists with data transfer, quality control, and analysis of neuroimaging, behavioral, and EMA data.
• Assists with design and programming of behavioral and neuroimaging tasks.
• Maintains ongoing records for subject tracking and clinical assessment records in an organized and in a manner easily accessible by the appropriate research faculty and staff.
• Explain the research protocols and obtain informed consent from participants as needed.
• Interfaces effectively with research and clinical staff to maintain efficient communication about subjects, scheduled interviews, data collection, data entry, quality control issues and reports.
• Attends and participates in all project-related meetings, including clinical and research team meetings.
• Aids in quality control and preprocessing of neuroimaging data.
• Completes and maintains required education and certification in Human Subjects Protection and Good Research Practice.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Performs in accordance with system-wide competencies/behaviors.