How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
We are seeking a Research Area Specialist Associate to be the study coordinator of a new, five-year NIH-funded research study led by Dr. Meghan Martz in the Department of Psychiatry. Our study will examine whether combining real-time fMRI neurofeedback with smartphone-based practice can help young adults who use alcohol strengthen their ability to self-regulate reward-related brain activity in the laboratory and in their daily lives. This position offers an exciting opportunity to help launch an innovative study that integrates neuroscience and mobile health approaches to advance alcohol-use research and intervention.
Because you will serve as a primary point of contact throughout the study, this position requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills, comfort discussing alcohol use and mental health, and a strong commitment to participant safety, privacy, engagement, and retention. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail are essential. You may also have future opportunities to provide functional supervision and training to undergraduate research assistants.
This position is ideal for a recent psychology/neuroscience graduate who would like to obtain research experience in a research laboratory before applying to graduate school.
Responsibilities*
Work in partnership with Dr. Martz and the study team on a federally sponsored study integrating real-time fMRI neurofeedback with smartphone-based training to strengthen reward-related self-regulation in young adults who use alcohol. This position will include the following responsibilities:
- Support study start-up, recruitment and other coordination activities including preparing study materials and data collection systems/tools, participant screening, enrollment, follow-up, communications, and distributing incentives.
- Assist with regulatory activities and study documentation tasks (e.g., IRB, NIH reporting, update/monitor participant tracking systems, create and update study manual/protocols).
- Assist with organizing and refining participant-facing study assessments and materials.
- Schedule and run study visits, which includes conducting fMRI neuroimaging tasks, self-report and behavioral assessments, setting up smartphone-based app, and monitoring tasks and incoming data for accuracy.
- Administering remote follow-up assessments.
- Collect and manage participant research data from study assessments, including data cleaning and basic analysis.
- Provide general research and administrative support (e.g., conducting literature reviews, training research staff/students).
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's Degree and 1-3 years of experience in a health or research related field.
Desired Qualifications*
- Master's Degree.
- Prior experience with human-subjects research, participant recruitment or interviewing, MRI, mobile health research, or longitudinal data collection.
Why Join Michigan Medicine?
Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world?s most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.
What Benefits can you Look Forward to?
- Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
- 2:1 Match on retirement savings
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Work Schedule
Flexible 40 hours per week within 8AM-7PM Monday-Friday. Occasional weekends and evenings may be required as study needs dictate.
Work Locations
Required to work in-person in Outpatient Psychiatry at the Rachel Upjohn Building in Ann Arbor. Opportunities to work remotely are also possible as study needs dictate.
Background Screening
Michigan Medicine conducts background screening and pre-employment drug testing on job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent job offer and may use a third-party administrator to conduct background screenings. Background screenings are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Report Act. Pre-employment drug testing applies to all selected candidates, including new or additional faculty and staff appointments, as well as transfers from other U-M campuses.
In addition to the screenings indicated above under Michigan law, a criminal history check including fingerprinting is required as a condition of transfer or employment for this position.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
E-Verify
The University of Michigan participates with the federal EVerify system. Individuals hired into positions that are funded by a federal contract with the FAR EVerify clause must have their identity and work eligibility confirmed by the EVerify system. This position is identified as a position that may include the EVerify requirement.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.