Project Coordinator, Developmental Neuroanalytics Lab, University of Virginia

Dr. Meghan Puglia’s Developmental Neuroanalytics Lab (www.puglialab.org) at the University of Virginia is seeking applicants for a full-time Lab Coordinator position. The Developmental Neuroanalytics Lab investigates the neurobiological and developmental factors that drive individual differences in social, cognitive, and behavioral outcomes across the lifespan. We use a broad range of methodological tools, including genetic, epigenetic and hormonal assays, EEG and fMRI, eye-tracking, behavioral and phenotypic testing, and computational modeling.

Review of applications will begin on May 14, 2021 and continue until the positions are filled. The target start date is late spring or early summer 2021.

Project Coordinator:

The Project Coordinator will work closely with Dr. Puglia and other study team members to orchestrate a Jefferson Trust-funded longitudinal study aimed at identifying early-emerging biomarkers of autism spectrum disorder in infants who have spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This is an ideal position for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual looking to gain research experience on topics related to infant development, neural function, and autism before applying to graduate or medical school. This is a 1-year position with the possibility for renewal contingent on performance and funding.

Responsibilities include:

• Overseeing and executing study data collection, including: identifying, recruiting, screening, enrolling, scheduling, and retaining study participants; running study sessions which include obtaining informed consent, collecting EEG, biospecimens, eye tracking, behavioral assessments and clinical phenotyping in the NICU and lab; designing and programming study paradigms; assessing data quality; coding, processing, and analyzing study data.
• Managing administrative study materials, including: preparing and managing IRB protocols and progress reports; developing and maintaining detailed and comprehensible documentation of study protocols and training materials; designing and distributing accessible recruitment materials; conducting literature reviews; managing, organizing, and archiving study data; ensuring that the study is following best practices of open and reproducible science (e.g. pre-registering studies, making datasets and analysis scripts publicly available, etc.).
• Collaborating with other study team members to execute the project including personnel in the UVA NICU, Supporting Transformative Autism Research (STAR) program, and undergraduate and graduate students and staff in the lab; providing training on study protocols; organizing study progress meetings; cultivating a team-oriented and collaborative environment.
• There may be opportunities to develop independent projects, attend conferences, and co-author manuscripts.
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (in psychology, neuroscience, human development, cognitive science, or a related field).
• Candidate must be comfortable working in a medical setting.
• Experience with computer software including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, communication, and time management skills.
• Self-motivated to learn new skills and solve problems independently.

 Preferred qualifications:

• Experience interacting with infants and research participants from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience collecting and/or analyzing human subjects data including behavioral and EEG data.
• Some programming exposure / experience (e.g., MATLAB, R, Python).

This position will remain open until filled.  This is a Non-Exempt level, benefited position. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. For questions about the position or the application process, please contact Daniel Strong, Senior Recruiter at das6zb@uva.edu.

How to Apply:

Applications that do not contain all of the required documents will not receive full consideration, please note that multiple documents can be uploaded in the box.

Process for External Applicants: Please apply through Workday, and search for 'R0023823'. Complete an application online and attach a cover letter, CV/resume, and contact information for three references (name, email address, telephone number, and address).

Process for Internal UVA Applicants: Please apply through your Workday Home page, search “Find Jobs,” and search for ‘R0023823’ Complete an application online and attach a cover letter, CV/resume, and contact information for three references (name, email address, telephone number, and address). 

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.