UCSD Department of Psychiatry is one of the most innovative and productive academic departments of psychiatry in the country with cutting-edge research and state-of-the-art clinical services. The department is committed to offering challenging career opportunities with potential for growth and a dynamic learning environment to its talented and dedicated employees.

Under general supervision, the incumbent will assist the PI and research team with the National Consortium on Alcohol and NeuroDevelopment in Adolescence (NCANDA): San Diego Research Project Site. Primary responsibility is to assist with all longitudinal data collection from young adults; conducting in-person and telephone semi-structured clinical interviews; administering neuropsychological assessments and self-report questionnaires; collecting/handling biospecimens (saliva for DNA, urine for toxicology); neuroimaging data collection and assisting at scan sessions. Duties also include coding, scoring, entering/uploading, verifying study data; scheduling study sessions with participants and facilities including reserving MRI scan time, exam room, and parking. General lab assistance tasks include preparing study forms and correspondence, updating study reports and meeting minutes; attending lab meetings; and preparation and certification of human subject compensation.

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and two years of laboratory experience or two years of college including courses in Psychology or related field and one year of laboratory experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Strong basic computer skills such as word processing and data entry, as well as experience using Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams); REDCap; XNAT; LimeSurvey; Airtable; DocuSign; and AFNI.

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in assisting with neuroimaging data collection including setting up equipment, safety screening the participant, assisting operator in putting the subject in and out of scanner.

• Proven ability to maintain and protect confidentiality of participant information and understanding of mandated reporting.

• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

• Proven ability to prioritize workload and work independently, when appropriate.

• Proven effective interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

• Previous experience in a substance use research setting involving human subjects including young adults.

• Ability to obtain biological specimens including saliva samples, urine samples for toxicology testing; blood pressure, blood alcohol level, and height/weight.

• MRI Safety Training Certification. Completion of UCSD MRI Safety Lecture and completion of annual on-line safety quiz to maintain certification status.

• Experience in administering questionnaires to adolescents including the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Distress Tolerance Scale, Hangover Symptom Scale, ASEBA Adult Self Report, Ten Item Personality Inventory, UPPS-P, Prosocial Tendencies Measure, Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire, Sleep Habits Questionnaire, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and List of Threatening Events.

• Experience in administering a battery of neuropsychological assessments according to the study protocol including WRAT 4 Arithmetic and Reading, WebCNP, Delay Discounting, Grooved Pegboard, Walk-a-Line Ataxia Test, and WAIS-IV Digit Coding.

• Familiarity administering structured diagnostic interviews such as the MINI Neuropsychiatric Interview and detailed questionnaires of substance use and mental health status, such as the Customary Drinking and Drug Use Record (CDDR), Suicide Ideation Measure, and Self-Rating the Effects of Alcohol (SRE).

• Experience in obtaining informed consent including verbal, online using DocuSign, and written forms from young adults.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

• Availability to work evenings and weekends, as needed.