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Assistant/Associate/Full Project Scientist - Neuroscience - Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute
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Position Number: 1917607
Location: Berkeley, CA
Position Type: Science - Statistics

Assistant/Associate/Full Project Scientist - Neuroscience - Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute
The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (HWNI) at the University of California, Berkeley, invites applications for an Assistant/Associate/Full Project Scientist position, specifically in the area of neuroscience, brain degeneration, or neuroimaging.

This individual will work as part of a research team to use neuroimaging to carry out research on the earliest changes in the brain related to Alzheimer's disease. The research projects involve collection and analysis of multimodal brain imaging data at multiple sites around the U.S. The individual should have a broad range of knowledge about Alzheimer's disease and the use of brain imaging to study Alzheimer's disease, and should be able to work independently under general supervision to answer important scientific questions. This includes carrying out research by surveying the literature, developing methodological tools for analyzing thousands of brain imaging scans (MRI and PET) acquired at clinical sites across the United States, creating numerical summary data from these brain images, and using these data to test specific hypotheses about the development of AD. This individual will report the results and in preparation of manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication. This individual will also be involved in leading interactions with clinical MRI and PET imaging sites around the United States in order to harmonize MRI and PET acquisition and analysis, and facilitate data sharing.

Specific duties will include the following:

A) Assess the field of neuroimaging literature in aging and dementia to develop research questions for evaluating how longitudinal changes in PET scans and MRI scans are related to longitudinal changes in cognition.

B) Working under the general supervision of the principal investigator, develop methodological tools (image analysis methods) for analysis of thousands of brain imaging scans (MRI and PET) acquired at clinical sites across the United States.

C) Carry out research, under the supervision of the PI, using the above novel data analysis tools, to examine the relationship between longitudinal changes in PET scans and cognitive function. Apply existing statistical approaches and, with collaborators, develop novel approaches to the analysis of very large time-series data.

D) Summarize research results using graphs, charts, tables, and images for presentation to the PI and the research team.

E) Creatively and with the general supervision of the PI, investigate novel methods of databasing large volumes of imaging data and numerical summaries in order to share images and image analysis results with other scientists around the world.

F) Develop collaborative relationships with other scientists in the U.S. and worldwide to study the most important questions in Alzheimer's disease research as related to biomarkers and clinical trials.

G) Assist in the preparation of manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication and present results of research at national and international scientific conferences.

Basic Qualifications (required at the time of application):

? PhD or equivalent international degree.

Additional Qualifications (required by start date):

? Minimum of 2 years' of research experience following completion of the PhD Degree or equivalent international degree.

Preferred Qualifications :

? Using programming languages (e.g. MATLAB, Python) and multiple operating systems (e.g. Linux) for data analysis and constructing image processing pipelines.

? Experience analyzing neuroimaging data obtained with PET and MRI scans using image analysis software such as SPM, FreeSurfer, FSL, and related programs.

? Intermediate to advanced knowledge of statistics and use of statistical software such as R or SPSS.

? Practices using databases for storage and archiving of data, data curation, and queries, and familiarity with database software.

? Demonstrated ability to serve as co-author in published peer-reviewed research.

? Familiarity with institutional and governmental regulations and ethical guidelines related to clinical research with human subjects including the elements of Good Clinical Practices.

? Established knowledge of scientific principles.

? Organizational, verbal, and written capacity to communicate globally.

? Acclimated to present research results in visual forms using graphical formats, images, and tables.

? Ability to prioritize and organize a high-volume workload and changing priorities.

? Background in neuroscience, brain degeneration, or neuroimaging (neuroscience, bioengineering, psychology).

? Exposure with amyloid and tau-PET imaging.

? Knowledgeable with multi-site acquired data.

? Proficiency using partial volume correction algorithms.

Appointment:

This position reports to Dr. William Jagust. The anticipated start date is August 01, 2020. This position is full-time (100%). The initial appointment will be for one year, with a possibility of a minimum of one year renewal until first merit review. Thereafter, extension of the appointment is subject to the Academic Researcher (RA) bargaining agreement and extensions will be according to the rank and step, performance and availability of funds.

You can refer to the current contract between the University of California and the Academic Researchers at https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/ra/contract.html.

Salary is commensurate with experience.

Benefits, consist of medical, dental, and vision coverage which is included in the compensation package. To learn more about UC Berkeley's benefits offered go to https://hr.berkeley.edu/compensation-benefits/benefits.

Application:
To apply, please go to the following link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF02598.

Letters of reference are not required at this time. We will seek your permission before contacting your references. All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality (http://apo.berkeley.edu/ucb-confidentiality-policy) prior to submitting their letters.

Feel free to address inquiries specific to this position to Natasha Sandeford at nsandeford@berkeley.edu.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000376/NondiscrimAffirmAct.