Research Associate I - Project Coordinator for Mechanisms Underlying Neurocognitive Aging (MUNA) Lab

Job Posting Title:

Research Associate I - Project Coordinator for Mechanisms Underlying Neurocognitive Aging (MUNA) Lab

----

Hiring Department:

Department of Psychology

----

Position Open To:

All Applicants

----

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

----

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

----

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

----

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Mar 04, 2025

----

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

----

Job Details:

General Notes

Mechanisms Underlying Neurocognitive Aging (MUNA) Lab

We are seeking a project coordinator to join the MUNA lab at UT Austin under the supervision of Principle Investigator, Dr. Alexandra L. Clark, to work on several recently funded research projects. Our work focuses on understanding key drivers of racial/ethnic disparities in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Our work is rooted in the conceptual underpinnings of the National Health Disparities Research Framework. Research investigations generally take a multi-domain (e.g., sociocultural, biological, behavioral, environmental) and multi-level (e.g., individual, community) approach to understanding factors associated with cognitive and brain aging. We conduct comprehensive neuropsychological examinations, collect blood, and perform brain magnetic resonance imaging scans in our local data collection efforts. We also have funded research projects that utilize existing data from the ACTIVE and HABS-HD cohorts. Our goal is to better understand how our life experiences dynamically shape cognitive functioning, brain health, and late-life dementia risk across the lifespan.

Start Date: As soon as possible (ideally by 4/1/24).

This is a fixed-term, 1 year position to start, with the chance to renew annually based on continuation of grant funding and/or performance. The ideal candidate will be able to make at least a 2-year commitment to the position. Bilingual Spanish speakers are particularly encouraged to apply.

What benefits do I receive with UT?  The university offers an impressive benefits package. For more details on benefits, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards.

This position is eligible for a hybrid Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA) (on-campus and remote work). FWA arrangements are subject to manager approval and may shift due to changes in business needs.  The remote location must have a reliable internet connection to support working remotely. UT policies on Flexible Work Arrangements are available at https://hr.utexas.edu/current/fwa.

For more information about the College of Liberal Arts, please visit: https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/.  

Our college seeks to build a supportive, growth-minded community and cultivate outstanding and courageous leaders. For more information on the college staff leadership academy, please visit:

https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/resources-for-faculty-staff/staff-leadership-academy/.

For more information on college staff professional development, please visit:

https://wikis.utexas.edu/display/larc/Staff+Professional+Development+Fund.

Purpose

The Research Associate I will act as Project Coordinator for the MUNA Lab.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the main point-person and liaison between study staff, research participants, community partners, university staff, and Dr. Clark
• Develop and amend IRB study protocol documents required for the university and other research partnerships
• Manage local REDCap databases and organizing publicly available data from ADNI, ACTIVE, and HABS-HD initiatives for research explorations
• Obtain informed consent/HIPAA, administer neurocognitive assessments, conduct semi-structured clinical interviews, and collect questionnaire data for study participants
• Conduct MRI brain scans and assist in processing this data through neuroimaging pipelines
• Collect anthropomorphic measurements, coordinate blood draws and processing of blood biomarkers
• Assist in the coordination of educational outreach presentations for community members and partners<