Job Posting Title:
Research Associate II – Paydarfar Lab
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Hiring Department:
Department of Neurology
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Position Open To:
All Applicants
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Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
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FLSA Status:
Exempt
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Earliest Start Date:
Immediately
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Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2026
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Location:
AUSTIN, TX
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Job Details:
General Notes
One-year fixed term with the possibility of continuation based on performance and available grant funding. Position is primarily on-site with the possibility for remote work as duties permit
Purpose
To assist on a research study with the Physiological Laboratories that aims to investigate cognitive reserve in older adults through advanced neurophysiological and biomarker approaches. The study will recruit older adults from clinical, community, and advertising outreach and leverage high-density EEG to capture dynamic brain network flexibility and error-related activity during a range of neurocognitive tasks, including those in naturalistic gamified environments.
Responsibilities
Responsible for evaluation, selection, and application of standard engineering and/or scientific techniques used in routine research.
Schedule and lead data collection appointments across multiple sites and maintain communication with participants. Lead recruitment at all study sites and adherence to procedures/protocols to ensure optimal subject participation rates and accurate data collection and reporting.
Perform basic laboratory tasks, including managing study equipment, assisting in data acquisition and analysis, biological sample collection and/or processing.
Set up and operate equipment for physiological and neurophysiological data collection, including ECG, blood pressure, respiration rate, EEG, EOG, and exercise-related sensor measurements (e.g., pedaling speed and resistance).
Administer questionnaires, surveys, and other research instruments to study participants. Makes and records observations and measurements. Accurately perform data entry and maintain organized records of collected data. Complete preliminary data cleaning and perform data analysis under the supervision of the research team.
Collaborate with PIs and project investigators to prepare methodological notes, reports, presentations and other dissemination activities related to the project activities.
Facilitate institutional review board (IRB) applications, submissions, and updates across multiple sites.
Assist in training project staff and research assistants who may help with data collection. Other related functions as assigned.
Conducts specified phases of research projects and may report results at scientific/technical meetings or in technical papers as a junior author.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or higher in neuroscience, biomedical engineering or health science discipline plus two years of related experience. Or Master's degree or higher in neuroscience, biomedical engineering or health science discipline.
Ability to manage an active interdisciplinary biomedical research laboratory.
Work efficiently and productively with staff, research teams (listen, seek clarification, and take feedback) and with human research subjects in accordance with institutional guidelines.
Must be skilled with Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with projects involving human subject’s research.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Experience with older adults with cognitive impairment.
Interest in data analytics
Statistics and programming knowledge is preferred (MATLAB, Excel, etc).
Experience using REDCap
Salary Range
$45,000+ depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment (furnished)
May work around standard office conditions
Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
Use of manual dexterity
Occasional weekend, overtime and evening work to meet deadlines
Required Materials
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
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Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
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Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
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Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
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Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
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Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
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Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
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E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
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Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
