Clinical Research Scientist - Psychology & Biobehavioral Sciences
About The Position
The Clinical Research Scientist I focuses on one or more scientific endeavors in laboratory or clinically based research, using advanced clinical or population-based methodology to pursue research goals. The role develops and implements research procedures, publishes results, initiates and conducts independent research, and assists with large, multidisciplinary research operations. Based in the Department of Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, the Research Scientist works with faculty, project coordinators, clinical research associates, and other researchers on grant- and institutionally funded projects aimed at improving biobehavioral health outcomes for survivors of pediatric catastrophic diseases. Under the supervision of a lead faculty member, the scientist conducts literature reviews, collects and analyzes data, prepares manuscripts, engages in clinical interventions research, and contributes to grant development. The position requires an MD or PhD in a relevant scientific field and at least two years of prior relevant, productive research experience in clinical or population-based outcomes and health behavior research. The posting identifies at least three years of postdoctoral experience in academic-medical research environments as a desired profile. Relevant expertise includes study design, protocol development, study conduct, and analysis. Experience involving neuropsychology, aging, neurodegenerative diseases, mental health conditions, TMS, TIS, and structural MRI acquisition, analysis, and interpretation is described as part of the ideal candidate profile. Strongly preferred areas include signal processing of motor evoked potentials, programming cognitive tasks used in MRI research, neuroscience, neuroimaging and blood-based biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases, grant support, and complex multimodal neuroimaging analyses.
Requirements
- MD or PhD in a relevant scientific field.
- At least two years of prior relevant and productive research experience in clinical or population-based outcomes and health behavior research.
- Experience in study design methodology, protocol development, study conduct, and analysis.
- Demonstrated performance in an earlier role.
Nice To Haves
- At least three years of postdoctoral experience in academic-medical research environments.
- Experience with neuropsychology, aging, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, and mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Experience with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), temporal interference stimulation (TIS), and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition, analyses, and interpretation.
- Significant experience with signal processing of motor evoked potentials, software programming for cognitive tasks used in MRI research, and neuroscience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of neuroimaging and blood-based biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases, such as through peer-reviewed publications or conference presentations.
- Evidence of assisting with grants from institutional and foundation-based sources.
- Knowledge of complex multimodal neuroimaging analyses, such as voxel-level mediation analyses.
- Experience working in a project-oriented, matrixed team environment.
Responsibilities
- Lead clinical research design and implementation, including experimental design review, selection of research procedures and methodologies, quality-control procedure finalization, design and testing of data-collection instruments, and project-specific protocol-compliance oversight.
- Assist with the management of large, multidisciplinary research operations and instruct research staff.
- Oversee execution of multiple concurrent projects and studies.
- Oversee or coordinate study-participant engagement and related outcomes, including interviewer scripts, informed consent, data entry, and procurement of medical records or specimens.
- Coordinate communication with principal investigators across multiple sites to anticipate, clarify, and address needs for efficient research conduct.
- Present and publish results, insights, and outcomes internally and externally to multidisciplinary audiences.
- Provide ongoing instruction and guidance to staff and train staff as needed.
- Initiate and conduct research without direct supervision, demonstrate advanced research skills, and provide input on and evaluate protocol design, including quality-control procedures.
- Develop and oversee project-specific research protocols; uphold human-subject protections, event reporting, data safety and monitoring requirements, and safety regulations.
- Develop or implement research procedures; propose or initiate experiments and methodological approaches; coordinate design and testing of data-collection instruments; replicate experiments or procedures from research literature; oversee data quality control; and use institutional resources appropriately.
- Keep comprehensive, accurate, organized, and legible records of research procedures and results; perform data analysis and reduction; and write research reports and scientific publications.
- Coordinate communication with principal investigators within and across sites, anticipate research needs, provide staff guidance, coordinate staff scheduling, and ensure coverage.
- Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
- Perform other duties as assigned to meet department and institutional goals and objectives.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
