Clinical Research Scientist - Psychology & Biobehavioral Sciences

The Clinical Research Scientist I focuses on one or more specific scientific endeavors of laboratory or clinically based research. Utilizes unique, advanced skills in clinical/population-based methodology to achieve the highest research goals. Develops and/or implements research procedures and publishes research results. Initiates and conducts independent research without direct supervision. Assists with the management of large, multidisciplinary research operations.

The Department of Psychology and Biobehavioral Sciences housed at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, is seeking applicants for a full-time Research Scientist position. The candidate will work with faculty members, project coordinators, clinical research associates, and other researchers on grant and institutionally funded research projects, to improve biobehavioral health outcomes for survivors of pediatric catastrophic diseases. Under the supervision of the lead faculty member, the candidate will be engaged in a variety of research activities related to conducting literature reviews, data collection and analysis, manuscript preparation, engaging in clinical interventions research, and grant development.

The ideal candidate will have at least 3 years post-doctoral experience in academic-medical research environments, experience with neuropsychology, aging, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease), mental health conditions (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), temporal interference stimulation (TIS), and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition, analyses, and interpretation. Significant experience with signal processing of motor evoked potentials, software programming for cognitive tasks used in MRI research, and neuroscience is strongly preferred. The ideal applicant will also have demonstrated knowledge (e.g., peer reviewed publications; conference presentations) of neuroimaging and blood-based biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases as well as evidence assisting with earning grants from institutional and foundation-based sources. Knowledge of complex, multimodal neuroimaging analyses, such as voxel-level mediation analyses, is strongly preferred.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead clinical research design and implementation activities (e.g., experimental design review; identification of appropriate research procedures/methodologies QC procedures finalization; design and testing of data collection instruments; project-specific protocol compliance oversight).

• Assist with the management of large, multidisciplinary research operations and the instruction of research staff.

• Oversee execution of multiple concurrent projects/studies.

• Oversee/coordinate engagement with study participants and related outcomes (e.g., interviewer scripts, informed consent, data entry, procurement of medical record/specimens).

• Coordinate communication with principal investigators across multiple sites to anticipate, clarify, and address needs for efficient conduct of research.

• Present/publish results, insights, and outcomes both internally and externally to multi-disciplinary audiences.

• Provide ongoing instruction and guidance to staff and train as needed.

• Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.

• Maintains regular and predictable attendance.

• initiates and conducts research without direct supervision. Demonstrates advanced skills in performing research. Provides input on and evaluates protocol design including quality control procedures. Develops and provides oversight of protocols for project-specific research. Follows and upholds appropriate human subjects’ protections, event reporting, data safety and monitoring requirements, and safety regulations. Works efficiently to manage concurrent projects.

• Develops and/or implements research procedures. Proposes/initiates experiments and/or methodological approaches to achieve research goals. Coordinates the design and testing of data collection instruments. Duplicates experiments and/or procedures from the research literature. Oversees data quality control (QC) procedures. Utilizes institutional resources appropriately.

• Presents and publishes research results. Keeps comprehensive, accurate, organized and legible records of research procedures and results. Performs data analysis and reduction. Writes research reports and scientific publications.

• Assists with the management of large, multidisciplinary research operations and the instruction of research staff. Coordinates communication with principal investigator within and across multiple sites. Anticipates needs for the efficient conduct of research. Provides instruction and guidance for staff. Coordinates the scheduling of staff and ensures coverage.

Minimum Education and/or Training:

• MD or PhD in relevant scientific field required.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum Requirement: 2+ prior relevant and productive research experience in clinical/population-based outcomes and health behavior research.

• Experience in study design methodology, protocol development, study conduct, and analysis.

• Experience working in a project-oriented matrixed team environment preferred.

• Proven performance in earlier role.

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required by Law:

• None

Licensure, Registration and/or Certification Required by SJCRH Only:

• None

Compensation

In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $86,320 - $154,960 per year for the role of Clinical Research Scientist - Psychology & Biobehavioral Sciences.

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St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.