Junior Specialist - Patten Lab

Junior Specialist- Recovery of Motor Function Study Coordinator

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

The Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine invites applications for a qualified Junior Specialist to serve as a lab coordinator for the Biomechanics, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Neuroscience (BRaIN) lab at UC Davis Medical Center and UC Davis.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Research (90%)

This study is under the direction of Dr. Carolynn Patten and in collaboration with Drs. Kwan Ng and Rebecca Boxer. The goal of the study is to use tools from systems neuroscience to explore how neurologic injuries including stroke, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson's Disease, and aging affect coordination and regulation of movements such as walking, reaching, and grasping. Foci of the research program are biomarkers and individual differences mediating recovery of function following neurologic injury.

The incumbent will be fundamentally involved in the planning and execution of multiple studies in this established research program. The incumbent will work collaboratively with the PI to identify the steps necessary to implement the research projects, which include: IRB submission, participant recruitment, coordination of study activities, identification and development of measures for use in the studies, and successful implementation of those measures in the study itself. Furthermore, the incumbent will have the opportunity to creatively contribute to the research projects by proposing alternative analysis strategies; generating novel projects with existing data; reviewing literature for manuscript preparation, presentations, and/or grant proposals. Studies of this magnitude often require thinking creatively to design a protocol that can accommodate the study population, in this case older adults and adults with neuromotor dysfunction. The incumbent will be expected to be an active member of the research team in creatively adapting protocols and documenting changes as appropriate. The incumbent will assist the PI in many aspects of the research studies and will work independently under supervision of the PI to ensure adherence to study protocols, activities which include consent procedures, clinical interviewing, and behavioral testing. The incumbent will assist in data management, as it pertains directly to the execution of the research projects. The incumbent will contribute to writing and review of relevant manuscripts, developing and generating illustrations, and will be acknowledged with authorship or in the acknowledgement section, as appropriate, based upon the work completed and significance of the intellectual contribution. The incumbent will be actively and significantly involved in publishable research activities, including reviewing journal articles and engaging in discussions on research and the interpretation of research results with PI and others in the lab.

Professional Competence (5%)

The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills, as well as the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. The incumbent may have the opportunity to submit data for presentation at relevant conferences, such as the Society for Neuroscience, International or American Society of Biomechanics, American Society for Neurorehabilitation, American Physical Therapy Association, and others. Authorship order will be determined based on the effort contributed to the presentation and significance of the contribution. The incumbent is expected to actively participate in weekly lab meetings, journal club presentations, presentations from outside speakers, and weekly workshops to help incumbents develop their career goals. The incumbent will also participate in appropriate professional/technical societies or groups and/or review research proposals, journal manuscripts, and publications related to area of expertise.

Service (5%)

The incumbent will have opportunities to participate in public outreach and service activities through the UC Davis Biomechanics, Rehabilitation, and Integrative Neuroscience (BRaIN) lab. The incumbent will act as a mentor for undergraduate volunteers in the lab, and provide training in lab procedures.

For full position description and to apply: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF06554

Number of Positions Available: 1

• Bachelor's Degree in psychology, psychobiology, neuroscience, kinesiology, human physiology, human development, or a related field
• Experience collecting and organizing data
• Scheduling and/or calendaring experience
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple work demands simultaneously
• Time management skills sufficient to optimize one's own work and to plan work for achieving lab and project goals.
• Experience working in a team-oriented research environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

• Previous experience working with adults, including older adults, and adults with motor dysfunction resulting from stroke, spinal cord injury, or other neurological disorders.
• Spanish language ability (oral & written) desirable, but not required.

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus (http://breathefree.ucdavis.edu/).

We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available at: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify

The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) is committed to inclusive excellence by advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. UC Davis celebrates the multi-cultural diversity of its community by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment demonstrated through a variety of resources and programs available to academics, staff, and students. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values of UC Davis that are embedded within our Principles of Community and are tied with how to best serve our student population. Our excellence in research, teaching, and service can best be fully realized by members of our academic community who share our commitment to these values, which are included in our Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision, our strategic plan: "To Boldly Go," our Principles of Community, the Office of Academic Affairs' Mission Statement, and the UC Board of Regents Policy 4400: Policy on University of California Diversity Statement. UC Davis is making important progress towards our goal of achieving federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offers a plethora of resources on their website, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) has outlined similar goals in their "Anti-Racism and DEI Action Plan." There are a plethora of links available on the About Us webpage where you can learn more about our Administration, Diversity and Inclusion, Rankings, Locations, Native American Land Acknowledgement, Sustainability, Visiting UC Davis, UC Davis Health, and Campus Safety.

The university is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the world for campus sustainability practices by the UI Green Metric World University Rankings. UC Davis is focused on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and repeatedly shown its commitment to preserving a healthy and sustainable environment for generations to come.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.