Department: Center for Translational Neuroscience
Rank: Research Assistant (Type A)
Annual Basis: 12 Month
Review of Applications Begins
May 1, 2023; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please submit a cover letter, three professional references, and a CV to the UO Careers site.
Department Summary
The Center for Translational Neuroscience (CTN) is a center within the Department of Psychology whose mission is to translate knowledge from basic neuroscience and apply it to improve well-being, promote resilience, and mitigate the effects of early adverse experiences.
The Psychology department, located within the College of Arts and Sciences, is one of the largest departments supporting significant instructional and research activities in a wide range of fields within the discipline. The Department enrolls about 1,900 students per term, with approximately 300 undergraduate Psychology majors, and 80 doctoral students, and includes approximately 35 teaching faculty, emeriti faculty, research staff, graduate students, and professional/administrative staff. For more information on the Department, visit https://psychology.uoregon.edu/. For more information on the CTN, visit http://ctn.uoregon.edu/.
Position Summary
Lab research projects examine the impact of sleep and circadian rhythms on reward- and stress-related brain function and mental health in adolescents and young adults. The projects involve collection of information about sleep and circadian characteristics, lifetime and daily stressors, reward- and stress-related brain function, and symptoms of depression and alcohol use disorder.
The Sleep Technologist will work with research investigators in the Oregon Sleep Lab (OSL) to implement overnight sleep assessments for two NIH-funded research projects. The Sleep Technologist will be responsible for measurement of sleep via polysomnography (PSG), including electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain activity and additional sensors to measure respiration, body movement, eye movements, and muscle tone. The Sleep Technologist will apply and remove PSG equipment during participants’ laboratory overnight assessments, monitor PSG signals overnight to ensure participant safety and data quality, and score PSG/EEG data using laboratory software. The Sleep Technologist will also review PSG data with the lab director to screen participants for sleep disorders, and work closely with the project coordinator and research assistants to ensure that all sleep assessment procedures are completed in an accurate, timely, and professional manner.
This position requires overnight hours and will include weekends and weekdays (10-hour shifts, 2-3 shifts per week, approximately 20 hours per week on average). Technologists will be assigned consistent days for overnight shifts. We are looking for applicants who can commit to the position through June 2024 at a minimum, with the potential to continue through March 2027. Preferred candidates for the position will have experience with sleep PSG, general research practices to ensure participant safety and data confidentiality, and assessment of sleep disorders. We will provide training in study procedures. Technologists must complete and maintain appropriate safety training and certifications, including bi-annual CITI Human Subjects training and Good Clinical Practice training.
Minimum Requirements
• Associate’s degree or at least two years of college or work experience in sleep technology, psychology, behavioral science, or a related field
• One year of experience with sleep polysomnography application and recording
• One year of experience with human subjects research
Professional Competencies
• Proficiency with application of head electrodes and other PSG sensors, and monitoring of PSG signals during sleep to ensure data quality and assess for sleep disorders
• Ability to work with human research participants, including attention to participant safety, comfort, privacy, and confidentiality
• Ability to work in a team environment, requiring participatory decision-making and cooperative interactions among study staff
• Knowledge of basic research methods and creative problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications
• Proficiency with sleep EEG scoring and interpretation, including standards of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)
• Experience with clinical sleep assessment (e.g., for sleep-disordered breathing and sleep movement disorders)
• Experience with supervision of other personnel
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The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.
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