Research Assistant I NEUROLOGY Fox Lab

Working under the supervision of a Principal Investigator (Dr. Michael D. Fox) and Instructor (Dr. Montaser Kouhsari) in the fields of neuroimaging, Parkinson's disease, and deep brain stimulation (DBS). The RA is responsible for following established policies and procedures, assists in collecting functional MRI data, maintaining large neuroimaging datasets, performs data-processing and data-analyses under supervision on neuroimaging and deep brain stimulation data, contributes to the lab's infrastructure by writing scripts and establishing new neuroimaging analyses pipelines. In addition to providing assistance on clinical research studies which includes being responsible for the following activities: recruiting and evaluating patients for studies; performing cognitive testing, recruiting participants for studies, scheduling appointments, assuring completion of visits and accurate data collection and entry, data processing, assisting/managing IRB submissions, interacting with regulatory personnel, administering transcranial magnetic stimulation, and maintaining and updating data generated by the study. RA's are encouraged to present posters at national scientific conferences and significantly contribute to ongoing research projects.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Helps researchers maintain datasets.
• Helps researchers execute data-analyses.
• Recruits and evaluates potential study patients. Per protocol instruction, conducts telephone interviews or schedules patient for study visit and screening.
• Assisting with neuroimaging and DBS data collection, processing, including construction and de-bugging of data analysis pipelines.
• Contributes to scientific software and methods developments.
• Provides assistance on clinical research studies as per study guidelines and protocols.
• Submits and maintains IRB's under supervision.
• Recommends changes to research protocols.
• Develops, organizes, and/or maintains the study database. Responsible for data validation and quality control.
• Performs literature searches, as appropriate.
• Assists PI or Research Manager with preparation for presentation and written published articles.
• Responsible for training and orienting new staff or high school students.
• May be required to assist with MRI image acquisition.
• Interact with patients/subjects with regard to their treatment or research study, including patient education, procedural instruction, follow-up. May serve as a liaison between patient and physician.
• Responsible for collecting data and maintaining patient information database for study.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS or BA.
• At least one year of work experience in a research setting. Sound independent judgment and competence in research methodologies.
• The candidate is required to have prior experience and be confident with programming in Python. The perfect candidate is a computer scientist or have data science background with prior experience in neuroimaging analyses (e.g., Nilearn / 3DSlicer / FSL / SPM / AFNI / Freesurfer / ANTs). MATLAB experience would be helpful, as will be experience with the Lead-DBS toolbox.

SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to work under supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal skills are required for working with the study participants.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Analytical skills and the ability to resolve technical or research problems and issues and to interpret the acceptability of data results.
• High degree of computer science literacy.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize a variety of tasks.
• Careful attention to detail.
• Ability to demonstrate professionalism and respect for subjects' rights and individual needs.
• Knowledge of data management programs.
• A minimum commitment of 2 years.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Office and clinic environment.

2. Must be able to travel between hospital and research buildings carrying study documents and materials.

EEO Statement

BWH is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.