Staff Research Associate

SRA 1 (009613)

UCPath Position ID: MI-DPT087500-JC009613-PD166586

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

1125107

Approved Date:

2/13/2025 8:16:40 PM

Date Last Edited:

2/13/2025 8:16:36 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

3/6/2024

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1300O

Organization:

LETTERS AND SCIENCE

Division Code:

1330D

Division:

L&S LIFE SCIENCES

Department:

087500 - PSYCHOLOGY

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

MI-DPT087500-JC009613-PD166586

Position Description ID

166586

UC Payroll Title:

SRA 1 (009613)

Business Title:

Staff Research Associate

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

RX: Research Support Professionals

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40187672

Reports to Payroll Title:

Assistant Professor

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40041384

Department Head Payroll Title:

Department Chair

SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent performs a variety of routine duties within established policies and procedures or by referral to the supervisor’s guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

A reliable, highly organized, independent, individual is sought for a full-time Staff Research Associate (SRA) Position in the Brain and Body Lab (BABLab), in the UCLA Psychology Department, under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (Dr. Bridget Callaghan). The SRA will be responsible for coordinating and conducting a research study on brain-gut function in youth funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health, as well as managing general lab activities.

The BABLab studies emotional development and its relation to physical health across the lifespan (infancy to adulthood). We utilize behavioral (questionnaire, interview, and task performance), fMRI, and biological measures to understand how early experiences, particularly of adversity, shape cognitive, affective, and physical development, leading to health and disease outcomes. We are a close-knit team of postdocs, graduate students and undergraduates who value individuals with strong work ethic and a positive attitude. You can read more about the lab culture in our lab manual: https://bablab.github.io/lab_manual/

Under the supervision of Dr. Callaghan, the incumbent will be involved in managing a federally-funded, active research lab, and will participate in many aspects of the research process, including designing and implementing experiments, programming experimental tasks, recruiting and scheduling participants, running research sessions, and analyzing data. The SRA will also oversee the day-to-day operations of the lab, including developing and maintaining a database for participant recruitment and research data, preparation, submission, and maintenance of IRB applications, scheduling lab events and research meetings, and helping to supervise undergraduate research assistants. In addition, the SRA will have the opportunity to assist with the preparation of manuscripts for publication and posters, and support any revisions that are required.

These duties will primarily be executed in relation to a longitudinal study examining how experiences of childhood adversity influence the function of the brain-gut axis in ways that are linked to adolescent depression. Data collection for this project involves acquisition of biological samples (blood and stool), an fMRI scan, and assessments of childhood adversity and mental health. 

Work and goal attainment is reviewed by the Principal Investigator. The SRA will be given procedural training and instructions and will then be expected to complete most tasks independently. Regular supervision is provided by the Principal Investigator through weekly meetings and informal feedback. 

A reliable, highly organized, independent, individual is sought for a full-time Staff Research Associate (SRA) Position in the Brain and Body Lab (BABLab), in the UCLA Psychology Department, under the supervision of the Principal Investigator (Dr. Bridget Callaghan). The SRA will be responsible for coordinating and conducting a research study on brain-gut function in youth funded by the National Institutes of Mental Health, as well as managing general lab activities.

The BABLab studies emotional development and its relation to physical health across the lifespan (infancy to adulthood). We utilize behavioral (questionnaire, interview, and task performance), fMRI, and biological measures to understand how early experiences, particularly of adversity, shape cognitive, affective, and physical development, leading to health and disease outcomes. We are a close-knit team of postdocs, graduate students and undergraduates who value individuals with strong work ethic and a positive attitude. You can read more about the lab culture in our lab manual: https://bablab.github.io/lab_manual/

Under the supervision of Dr. Callaghan, the incumbent will be involved in managing a federally-funded, active research lab, and will participate in many aspects of the research process, including designing and implementing experiments, programming experimental tasks, recruiting and scheduling participants, running research sessions, and analyzing data. The SRA will also oversee the day-to-day operations of the lab, including developing and maintaining a database for participant recruitment and research data, preparation, submission, and maintenance of IRB applications, scheduling lab events and research meetings, and helping to supervise undergraduate research assistants. In addition, the SRA will have the opportunity to assist with the preparation of manuscripts for publication and posters, and support any revisions that are required.

These duties will primarily be executed in relation to a longitudinal study examining how experiences of childhood adversity influence the function of the brain-gut axis in ways that are linked to adolescent depression. Data collection for this project involves acquisition of biological samples (blood and stool), an fMRI scan, and assessments of childhood adversity and mental health.

Work and goal attainment is reviewed by the Principal Investigator. The SRA will be given procedural training and instructions and will then be expected to complete most tasks independently. Regular supervision is provided by the Principal Investigator through weekly meetings and informal feedback.

Data Collection with Human Subjects

A1. Recruit participants and conduct telephone screenings with callers regarding life history to assess study eligibility. Develop and maintain databases for participant recruitment and tracking. Enter participant data into web-based programs and research databases, and schedule research study sessions. (E)  A2. Administer laboratory protocols including adversity exposure, mental health, memory behavior, psychophysiology, stress tasks. (E)  A3. Attend fMRI safety and operations training, and administer fMRI scans. (E)  A4. Prepare and score research data for analysis. Oversee collection and storage of biological samples for biomarker assays. (E)  A5. Manage data entry, quality assurance, and ensure confidentiality. (E)  A6. Complete basic statistical analyses, using web-based data management programs and statistical computing programs. (E)  A7. Supervise a team of undergraduate research assistants in data collection and management. (E)  A8. Maintain and update large databases in REDCap, Excel, SPSS, R, and other programs. (E)  A9. Assist with preparation of manuscripts for publication, support any revisions required. (E)

60%

Lab Management

B1. Hiring and training undergraduate research assistants. (E)  B2. Supervising undergraduate research assistants working on lab studies, scheduling, or interacting with participants. (E)  B3. Maintaining lab instructions, references, and resources for all lab members. (E)  B4. Manage cleanliness of lab. (E)  B5. Monitoring supplies and purchases. (M)  B6. Collaborating with fund manager to monitor and coordinate budget. (E)  B7. Process payments for research participants, in compliance with PCI security standards. (E)  B8. Process reimbursements for lab associated travel for PI and lab members. (E)  B9. Scheduling and preparing for regular lab meetings. (E)  B10. Assist with preparing scientific papers and posters. (E)

30%

IRB Coordination and Grant Processing

C1. Develop IRB Protocols for new projects and renewing existing protocols with IRB. (E)  C2. Maintain compliance with IRB procedures and assist in the preparation of IRB applications and renewals. (E)  C3. Maintain confidential information of study participants. (E)  C4. Train undergraduate research assistants on IRB compliance, participant information privacy and confidentiality. (E)  C5. Assist with grant preparation and writing and collecting materials (e.g., cumulative or proposed study enrollment and demographics, budget information, equipment and facilities information) required for new grant submissions and renewals. (E)

10%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Psychobiology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required

Strong prior research experience in a lab setting within Psychology or related field.

Required

Experience with neuroimaging data acquisition and analysis, particularly FSL.

Preferred

Prior interest in, or experience with, working with developmental, or psychiatric, or special population groups.

Preferred

Excellent interpersonal skills for interacting with study participants, some of whom may be psychologically vulnerable due to their age (e.g. children or adolescents) or early experiences, as well as with other laboratory members.

Required

Excellent oral and written communication skills for communicating with research participants, representing the lab publicly, as well as when writing (e.g., updating the website, IRBs, scientific publications).

Required

Excellent organization skills and attention to detail required for adherence to study protocols, managing the lab, maintaining research equipment, curating database.

Required

Strong general computing skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite) in both Mac and PC).

Required

Understanding of lab research methods.

Required

Ability to effectively prioritize, multitask, and manage co-occurring deadlines, projects, and team members, and to display adaptive and responsive decision making and problem-solving skills.

Required

Ability to use standard office equipment, including multi-line telephones, recording equipment, and scanners.

Required

Statistical background, basic competence in statistical programming (R, SPSS), and programming skills in R, Python, Psychopy, linux/unix, or shell scripting.

Required

Demonstrated ability to maintain professionalism and good decision making when confronted with difficult people or situations, either on the telephone or in person.

Required

Demonstrated ability to handle confidential materials with discretion.

Required

Knowledge of payment processing systems. (Cash-net and PCI).

Preferred

Knowledge of forms and submission procedures to obtain research approval from the UCLA Institutional Review Board and Office for the Protection of Human Subjects.

Preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Hybrid, UCLA Campus

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 1: Position in which required tasks routinely involve a potential for mucous membrane or skin contact with blood, body fluids or tissues, potential spills, and splashes. Use of appropriate measures is required for every employee in this position.