Staff Research Associate 1 (9613C), Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute - #89097

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Departmental Overview

The Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute (HWNI) is the nexus for campus-wide multidisciplinary neuroscience research at UC Berkeley. We are a research unit within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, with over 70 faculty members from many different academic departments and schools. This unique cross-departmental structure brings together experts from a variety of fields to use the power of interdisciplinary research to achieve breakthroughs in the study of the brain and the rest of the nervous system, and to drive the development of novel treatments and technologies. We support our faculty and their labs in their research aims, foster opportunities for collaboration, sponsor major research initiatives, and run innovative neurotechnology and research centers. We also help train the next generation of neuroscientists through our support of the Neuroscience Department's PhD program(link is external)(link is external).

Our research mission is to deepen our understanding of the nervous system - from single molecules to human behavior - through original research and paradigm-shifting neurotechnology innovation, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and use-inspired research. Our scientists investigate how the nervous system functions, develops, changes, and ages, including the mechanisms underlying sensation, perception, behavior, learning, cognition, and neurological disease. We are building next-generation experimental, analytical, and theoretical approaches to probe the nervous system and develop new ways to diagnose and treat neurological diseases and disorders.

Position Summary

The Staff Research Associate 1 serves as the key staff member responsible for data management and data analysis of PET and MRI imaging data obtained as part of SCAN, a large multicenter observational study of aging and dementia. This position handles quantitative image data extraction, database management, and statistical reporting. Additionally, the Staff Research Associate 1 supports the Berkeley Aging Cohort Study by reviewing screening results, assisting with participant scheduling, and periodically assisting during neuropsychological testing and imaging sessions. Reporting to the lab Principal Investigator, this position interacts with students, postdoctoral fellows, and other lab members to analyze brain imaging data obtained using positron emission tomography (PET), Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI), and functional MRI (fMRI) from studies including ADNI, SCAN, POINTER Imaging, and the Berkeley Aging Cohort Study (BACS). This position uses and modifies existing software and scripts to extract quantitative data, perform statistical hypothesis testing, and generate reports.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: October 9, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Data Extraction - 25%

• Use existing software, modify existing software and write new software to extract quantitative data from a variety of image types.

Statistical Analysis - 10%

• Use standard statistical software to perform statistical hypothesis testing

Reporting and Database Management - 20%

• Prepare reports in written and graphical forms. Manage databases with results; downloads and collates data from multiple databases; assembles data into datasets suitable for analysis.

Research Collaboration - 10%

• Work with other researchers and principal investigators to develop analyses and explore data.

Participant Recruitment and Testing - 35%

• Assist with recruiting older individuals to the Berkeley Aging Cohort Study by reviewing results of screening questionnaires and reviewing results of neuropsychological tests to determine whether the subject has undergone substantial change; periodically performs neuropsychological testing and assists during imaging studies (MRI and PET scanning).

Required Qualifications

• Familiarity with python, matlab, R or other programming languages
• Experience with statistics and statistical software such as SPSS or R
• Familiarity with multiple operating systems, especially Linus/Unix
• Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented, good record-keeping
• Ability to work independently and reliably
• Good interpersonal skills and communication ability

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with large databases
• Experience with PET or MR or other medical images
• Experience with human subjects research

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $30.12 - $31.42, Step 1 - 3

• This is a non-exempt, bi-weekly paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This position is eligible for up to 2 days/week remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research Support Professionals Unit (RX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/rx/index.html

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity 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 status under state or federal law.