EEG Neurofeedback Research Associate - 136138

UCSD Department of Psychiatry is one of the most innovative and productive academic departments in the country, offering challenging career opportunities in the diverse areas of advanced educational programs, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art clinical services. The department is committed to offering a dynamic learning environment and growing opportunities to its talented and dedicated employees.

This position will support projects that are investigating the effects of EEG neurofeedback on working memory in patients with schizophrenia and mild cognitive impairment. The primary goal is to assess pre- and post-treatment changes at the level of the brain (using EEG, pupillometry), neuropsychological variables and behavior in response to neurofeedback treatment. The projects will help identify and characterize the specific cognitive, behavioral, electrophysiological, and functional brain changes that occur with such training. Furthermore, these projects will help identify patient sub groups most likely to benefit from neurofeedback.

Under supervision, the incumbent will work as a Research Study Associate to assist the PI and research team on tasks associated with recruitment and training of study participants for a study investigating the effects of EEG neurofeedback on working memory in patients with schizophrenia and mild cognitive impairment within the Department of Psychiatry. Duties include assisting with recruiting participants through fliers; scheduling, and testing participants and delivering EEG-neurofeedback via device. Manage behavioral and EEG databases in preparation for analysis. Assist with data analysis including dataset preparation and obtaining summary variables, using statistical software packages, such as SPSS, with PI and statistician supervision. Provide support with EEG data pre-processing, organizing data, preparing experimental materials, conducting neuropsychological tests, symptom and functional ratings, and other project or miscellaneous tasks as needed.

• Theoretical knowledge of psychology or related field.

• Demonstrated knowledge of EEG neurofeedback.

• Demonstrated experience in arranging for patients to complete paper and pencil assessments.

• Proven ability to schedule assessments and EEG-Neurofeedback treatments.

• Experience with neuropsychological and physiology data collection.

• Proven experience with MATLAB.

• Excellent interpersonal skills needed in interactions with patients, including appropriate interview techniques, diplomacy and confidentiality.

• Demonstrated experience interacting effectively with co-workers as well as subjects.

• Strong general computer skills, including familiarity with common programs, such as Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

• Highly self-motivated and reliable, able to solve problems independently and with initiative.

• Organizational, scheduling, and record keeping skills.

• Experience maintaining confidentiality in accordance with Human Subjects requirements.

• Proven ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

• Experience working with database software to manage study data.

• Demonstrated experience to assist with recruiting study participants interested in participating in research at the laboratory.

• Experience with Qualtrics to manage survey data, including designing surveys, transferring paper surveys to the digital platform, and data entry.

• Experience to perform basic statistical analyses and use statistical software packages with PI and statistician supervision.

• Graduation from 4-year college with courses in experimental, Biological Psychology, Cognitive Science, Cognitive Neuroscience and experience working in laboratory for 1-2 years in one of the disciplines listed above.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

• Must be able to work overtime, weekends and evenings as needed.