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Junior/Assistant Specialist-Child Brain Imaging- Building Blocks of Cognition Laboratory-Psychology

Position overview
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table for the current salary scale for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2023-24/july-2023-acad-salary-scales/t24-b.pdf. A reasonable estimate for this position is $51,300-$59,200

Percent time: 75%-100%

Anticipated start: July 1, 2024

Position duration: 1 year appointment

Application Window
Open date: April 17, 2024

Most recent review date: Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Friday, May 31, 2024 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The University of California, Berkeley, solicits applications for a new Junior/Assistant Specialist.

Professor Bunge is a founding member of the Illuminating the Brain consortium, along with two colleagues in the Department of Psychology: Professor Fei Xu and Assistant Professor Keanan Joyner. Together, Profs. Bunge, Xu, and Joyner are in the process of establishing a shared-use brain imaging facility for near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). fNIRS is a non-invasive device for measuring brain activity that involves near-infrared light emitted via a cap worn on the head. This method can be used from infancy through adulthood in a variety of settings; it is a portable system, and the wireless version (which we will have) is not sensitive to head motion. Thus, fNIRS is useful for studying early brain development, as well as for studying brain function across a more diverse pool of participants than usual, and for use in naturalistic settings. Once established, this equipment will be used by multiple labs to conduct a variety of studies on the neural basis of cognition at various ages. Professor Bunge will start out with basic research on the emergence of abstract reasoning in early childhood.

The Junior/Assistant Specialist will help establish this shared-use fNIRS facility, under close supervision by Professor Bunge and in coordination with other team members. After completing training on equipment usage and data collection, they would coordinate across labs to help to establish and streamline study procedures. They would recruit, screen, schedule, and compensate participants, and assist with collecting pilot data (first from adults and then with children), working closely with undergraduate and graduate students. Finally, they would be asked to carry out occasional lab managerial tasks (e.g., organizing team meetings, creating and disseminating study advertisements, revising the human subjects protocol, and handling occasional purchasing & reimbursements). While launching the research and collecting data would be the highest priorities, Prof. Bunge would encourage them to get intellectually engaged in the project, e.g. by conducting literature reviews, developing their own fNIRS task, and assisting with data analysis and presentations.

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Completion of Bachelor's degree (or equivalent international degree) is required at the time of application.

Additional qualifications (required at time of start)
-A strong background in STEM and 1+ years of research experience involving human participants.
-Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, and facility learning new technology.
-Intrinsically motivated, results-oriented, and efficient.
-Willingness to trouble-shoot independently but check in regularly.

Preferred qualifications
Experience working with children and families, ideally in a research setting. Experience with any of the following would be a bonus: Python/PsychoPy, R, Github, graphic design.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.


• Letter of Interest

Reference requirements

• 3-6 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04407

Help contact: dreamartinez@berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley 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.

Please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required 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 prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Job location
Berkeley CA


To apply, visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04407