Postdoctoral Fellow- Knox Medicine
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Description

THIS POSITION IS LOCATED IN KNOXVILLE, TN

The Pat Summitt Research Fellowship 

The Pat Summitt Clinic Cognitive Neurophysiology Lab is a state of the art facility that is actively conducting groundbreaking and innovative research on cognitive aging, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

The Lab is inspired by Coach Summitt’s vision of advancing research in Alzheimer’s disease and by the University of Tennessee Medical Center’s commitment to excellence in academic medicine and research.

To date the Pat Summitt Clinic Cognitive Neurophysiology lab has enrolled over 75 participants who have undergone extensive testing as part of a longitudinal study that aims to understand the intricate and highly complex interactions between brain structure, brain function, cognition and behavior in normal individuals as well as persons living with dementia. This work is accomplished by applying a variety of tools that include complex brain waive tests (EEG), multiple brain imaging modalities including MRI, functional MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, extensive cognitive testing, and functional assessments of complex behavior in the form of virtual reality vehicular driving. By administering these assessments repeatedly over time, we seek to understand how these key metrics change with normal aging and disease progression.

Our goal is to elucidate disease mechanisms in a way that will not only further our understanding of neurodegenerative conditions that cause dementia, but may also identify new targets for treatment. We also look to develop new diagnostic tools for early detection, monitoring of disease progression and the objective and dynamic assessment of the efficacy of new therapies.

The complexity and sheer volume of data that is being generated by this study opens an invaluable opportunity for new researchers to enter the field of Alzheimer’s disease and perform complex data analysis that will lead to new discoveries.

For this reason, we are proposing the creation of The Pat Summitt Research Fellowship. The goal is to recruit a postdoctoral fellow that will be fully immersed in the ongoing work at the lab, perform data analysis and bring new and fresh perspectives to our projects.

Purpose

The purpose of a Postdoctoral Fellow is to serve in a temporary position that enables an individual with their Ph.D. to continue their training as a researcher and gain skills and experience that will prepare them for their research career in academia or elsewhere. As a postdoc, the position can perform mostly independent research, collaborate on a multi-scholar research initiative, or even may have lead responsibility for discrete components of a larger research project or program, all while under the general direction of a senior or principal researcher.

Level Scope

After earning a Ph.D., the next step in the academic or research career path is often a postdoc. A postdoc is a continuation of a researcher’s training that enables them to further their professional development and start to transition from student to independent researcher. Postdocs also often take additional leadership or teaching responsibilities in their laboratory or department. These positions are usually two to three years and it is not unusual for a researcher to do more than one postdoc.

The postdoctoral fellow will schedule and run experiments and evaluations of human subjects under the supervision of Dr. Roberto Fernandez Romero at the Pat Summitt Clinic Cognitive Neurophysiology Lab. Additionally, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the administrative functions of the lab and training and leading undergraduate student researchers. This person will assist with data management and analyses of a large-scale study involving multimodality data.

Responsibilities

• Problem solve research challenges and model development, as applicable.
• Develop experimental stimuli and procedures and perform data analysis
• Contribute discrete components of a larger project under the general direction of a senior or principal researcher.
• Prepare complete documentation of research activities for reference purposes, including following applicable data management protocols.
• Analyze, interpret, and document research findings for review.
• Compare actual and expected results and suggest solutions to correct the deviations.
• Evaluate existing research or modeling techniques and recommend improvements to ensure quality and productivity.
• Assist in the preparation of proposals, reports and manuscripts for presentation at scientific meetings or publication
• Schedule and run experiments with adult human subjects.
• Manage, store and protect data.
• Serve as work lead for student researchers and provide training in the performance of experiments and lab procedures.
• Assist with subject recruitment and community relations.
• Assist with human subject protocol requirements.
• Assist with data management using already established Red Cap system.

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a minimum of a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Neuroscience or equivalent discipline.

Specific Qualifications

• Experience in EEG/ERP, neuroimaging, biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative dementias, or other techniques relevant or complimentary to the work of the PSCL
• Previous academic research experience working with adult human subjects in research or clinical settings with exposure to and/or training in diagnostic and cognitive assessments. Additional experience conducting research with or interviewing vulnerable populations or those with mental illness is preferred
• Ability with standard software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, databases).
• Have experience with MATLAB or ability to learn
• Have experience in basic computer programming for psychophysical software packages ability to learn
• Must have knowledge of data management principles
• Have experience with or ability to learn how to conduct EEG/ERP studies
• Ability to handle fluctuating priorities and deadlines.
• Must be organized, responsible, punctual, with ability to pay close attention to details.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven leadership abilities.
• Experience with ethics board (IRB) correspondence and principles, or willingness to learn these skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and/or equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills.
• Scientific writing skills demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications
• Ability to acquire accurate, reproducible data
• Critical eye towards consistency, reproducibility, and the scientific method in general
• Excellent project and time management skills
• Strong interpersonal and mentoring skills
• Advocate for safety and ethics in the workplace

Qualifications

For benefits information, please visit https://www.uthsc.edu/hr/benefits/documents/benefits-preview-packet.pdf

Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action.

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA/V institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is the flagship statewide, public, academic health institution in Tennessee. Founded in 1911, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science is to improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans and the global community by fostering integrated, collaborative, and inclusive education, research, scientific discovery, clinical care, and public service. Employing more than 4,600 people on its faculty, staff, and not-for-profit corporation faculty practice groups, and with more than 3,200 students across the state, UTHSC contributes $4 billion to the economy of Tennessee.

Part of the University of Tennessee System, the Health Science Center is headquartered in Memphis and includes all six of UT’s doctoral-degree-granting health science colleges -- Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Graduate Health Sciences, and Health Professions. UTHSC spans the state with its four major, regional clinical health science locations in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, as well as more than 100 clinical education sites across Tennessee. UTHSC is the largest educator of health care professionals in the state and operates the state’s largest residency and fellowship advanced training programs.

UT GSM is ideally located in beautiful East Tennessee, at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, affording metropolitan conveniences coupled with rural charm.

Job: Postdoctoral Fellows
Primary Location: US-Tennessee-knoxville
Other Locations: US-Tennessee-Memphis
Organization: Knox Medicine
Schedule: Full-time
Job Posting: Aug 12, 2024, 1:33:14 PM

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