Research Assistant I

University of Arkansas • Little Rock, AR

1d

About The Position

The Research Assistant will facilitate human behavior and neuroscience research at the Brain Imaging Research Center (BIRC), supporting ongoing projects and future research plans. The role manages BIRC practices for open and reproducible neuroimaging science, including maintaining and developing database structures and standardized data pipelines. It also supports supervised analyses of behavioral and neuroimaging data and offers opportunities to contribute to scientific publications and build advanced data analytics experience.

The position supports day-to-day research activities, including participant recruitment, screening, enrollment, assessment, and follow-up. It may include collecting data using MRI or fNIRS technology and training in BIRC regulatory compliance practices. The Research Assistant works with BIRC faculty and staff, research participants, and collaborating clinics to support ethical and consistent research procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, psychology, communication, data science, or a related field.
• At least one year of research experience.
• Familiarity with Python; the role requires writing Python code to maintain and implement neuroimaging data pipelines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and a technology-oriented approach.
• Interest in acquiring skills and implementing clinical, sociodemographic, cognitive, affective, and behavioral assessments with child, adolescent, and adult participants.
• Ability to collaborate with Neurology and Psychology clinics to support ethical practices and consistent collection of participant research data.
• Ability to evaluate participant safety in the MRI environment, including researching implants or devices and conducting thorough screening.
• Ability to identify and resolve or report problems and crises involving participants.
• Proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in Python is preferred but not mandatory.
• Knowledge of other computational languages is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Manage BIRC’s practice of open and reproducible neuroimaging science, including maintaining, improving, and implementing pipelines that convert neuroimaging data into the BIDS standardized format using Python.
• Conduct supervised analyses of behavioral and neuroimaging data, including regressions relating task performance to demographic variables.
• Conduct quality assurance analyses of neuroimaging data under the mentorship of BIRC scientists and extend behavioral analyses to model task-related changes in brain activity.
• Support analyses of structural and functional MRI data.
• Enroll, screen, and assess participants for ongoing BIRC studies; determine eligibility, schedule intake assessments, and provide reminder calls and texts.
• Conduct informed consent procedures, participant clinical interviews, and behavioral data collection; assist participants with self-report measures and ensure compliance with study protocols.
• Monitor participants in study follow-ups to support accurate and timely collection of longitudinal data.
• Assist with data acquisition, including behavioral tasks and psychophysiological, MRI, or fNIRS data collection.
• Support enrollment goals through recruitment strategies, including outreach to established community partners and explaining studies to prospective participants.
• Complete research documentation and maintain accurate research records and participant tracking information.
• Provide data management and entry, maintain REDCap electronic data capture, and establish databases for new projects.
• Back up the Research Coordinator in participant compensation using petty cash accounts and maintaining detailed compensation records.
• Work effectively in a team through daily interaction with BIRC faculty and staff, participants, and administrative support.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans for qualifying staff and family.
• Holiday, vacation, and sick leave.
• Education discount for staff and dependents for undergraduate study.
• Retirement contribution matched by UAMS up to 10%.
• Basic life insurance up to $50,000.
• Career training and educational opportunities.
• Merchant discounts.
• Concierge prescription delivery on the main campus when using the UAMS pharmacy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level