Department: Center for Translational Neuroscience
Rank: Research Assistant (Type A)
Annual Basis: 12 Months
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 the 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.
Sleep Technicians will help with an observational study and randomized controlled trial with adolescent and young adult research participants. The technician will run 2-3 overnight visits per week in the Oregon Sleep Lab (OSL) on the University of Oregon campus. Overnight visits will use saliva samples to measure melatonin, and polysomnography (PSG) to record sleep. PSG includes electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain activity and additional sensors to measure respiration, body movement, eye movements, and muscle tone. The Sleep Technician will apply and remove PSG equipment during participants’ laboratory overnight assessments, monitor PSG signals overnight to ensure data quality, and work closely with participants to promote their safety and comfort. Sleep Technicians 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. Additional responsibilities may include scoring PSG/EEG data using laboratory software, dependent on technician training.
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). Technicians 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. We will provide training in study procedures. Technicians must complete and maintain appropriate safety training and certifications, including bi-annual CITI Human Subjects training and Good Clinical Practice training.
Minimum Requirements
• One year of experience or education in a field related to the position, such as the sciences or research (college credits in the sciences may be considered).
• Experience working with human subjects, customers, or patients in a research or clinical setting.
Professional Competencies
• Ability to handle sensitive and/or confidential information appropriately and with discretion.
• Strong customer service skills and ability to interact with participants professionally.
• Attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to follow lab procedures.
• Ability to communicate and work in a team environment that requires participatory decision-making and cooperative interactions among study staff.
Preferred Qualifications
• Research experience, especially human research using psychophysiological methods (e.g., EEG/PSG, saliva samples)
• Professional experience working with adolescents and/or young adults
• Research or clinical experience with assessment of sleep and/or sleep disorders (e.g., sleep disordered breathing, sleep movement disorders)
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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.
The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.
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