Assistant Project Scientist in Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
University of California Los Angeles
United States

Recruitment Period

Assistant Project Scientist Position in the Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences

An Assistant Project Scientist is sought to conduct experiments in humans on fear, anxiety, and anxiety disorders. The successful candidate will be responsible, in conjunction with the PI and collaborators, for taking projects from conception through execution to publication, and will be expected to supervise students and junior technical staff throughout this process.

Specifically, the appointee will be responsible for:

• Designing and contributing to the development and execution of experiments and protocols.
• Supervising and training graduate and undergraduate students in appropriate
laboratory techniques and record-keeping to accurately complete research
procedures in the laboratory.
• Maintaining accurate records of procedures and data collected.
• Computing results for a variety of research procedures, tests, and techniques.
• Conducting data collection and analysis across units of analysis, including neural (fMRI), physiological (e.g., Biopac: skin conductance, heart rate), behavioral (e.g., behavioral approach tasks), diagnostic interviewing, and self-report data.
• Programming experiments to be conducted in the fMRI scanner or outside the scanner. These include fear/anxiety-related tasks (e.g., fear conditioning).
• Running appropriate statistical analysis of multiple forms of data collected.
• Maintaining and calibrating lab equipment; contributing to compliance of
the laboratory environment with UCLA mandates.
• Following applicable safety policies/procedures.
• Maintaining research facility in orderly, operable condition.
• Maintaining security/safety of equipment, samples, specimens, and data.
• Maintaining security/safety of personnel; ensure researchers are complying with safety policies/procedures.
• Working independently to develop new projects related to fear, anxiety, and anxiety disorders. This will include designing experiments, collecting pilot data, and identifying funding mechanisms.
• Attending research group meetings and preparing manuscripts, grant applications,
and reports.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to write and publish research findings, attend scientific meetings, and to grow professionally. A Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Clinical Psychology or related field is required. Prior experience conducting human subjects research is required. The successful candidate should be competent in Microsoft Office, statistical software, and programming languages (e.g., Python). The successful candidate will have a strong background in fear, anxiety, and anxiety disorders – including Pavlovian conditioning (e.g., fear conditioning) and exposure therapy. The candidate must demonstrate an interest to learn new techniques and concepts, be well organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated. The ability to work both independently and with individuals of various educational and disciplinary backgrounds is essential.

Salary will be consistent with the UCLA Project Scientist Series. Interested candidates should submit i) a cover letter outlining academic interests, ii) CV and bibliography, iii)
and the names and contact information of two references (do not send letters) to the application portal at: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/apply/JPF06131. For additional information about the position, contact Michelle Craske at craske@psych.ucla.edu

(*Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Please see the following page for more
details: https://equity.ucla.edu/programs-resources/faculty-search-process/facultysearch-committee-resources/sample-guidance/)
Cultural North Star. The shared values of the DGSOM are expressed in the Cultural North Star, which was developed by members of our community and affirms our unswerving commitment to doing what’s right, making things better, and being kind. These are the standards to which we hold ourselves, and one another. Please read more about this important DGSOM program at
https://medschool.ucla.edu/cultural-north-star

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 or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see: UC Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy

Job location

Los Angeles, California

Requirements

Document requirements
• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)
• Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - An EDI Statement describes a faculty candidate’s past, present, and future (planned) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion. To learn more about how UCLA thinks about contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, please review our Sample Guidance for Candidates and related EDI Statement FAQ document.
• Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements
• 2-4 required (contact information only)

More information about this recruitment: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/apply/JPF05807

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research (Optional)
• Statement of Teaching (Optional)
• Statement on Contributions to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - An EDI Statement describes a faculty candidate’s past, present, and future (planned) contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion. To learn more about how UCLA thinks about contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion, please review our Sample Guidance for Candidates and related EDI Statement FAQ document.
• Misc / Additional (Optional)

• 3-5 required (contact information only)