Job Description

The Maternal Influence on Neurodevelopment (MIND) Lab at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC in Roanoke, VA, directed by Dr. Brittany Howell, aims to understand the biological pathways (e.g., specific breast milk components, the infant gut microbiome, etc.) through which mothers affect their infant's brain and behavioral development. We accomplish this by collecting several concurrent measures, including milk samples, infant fecal samples, measures of infant structural and functional brain development using MRI collected during natural sleep, as well as other functional neuroimaging methods in awake behaving infants, and behavioral measures including parent-report and direct assessment in the lab.

The MIND Lab is seeking a Research Associate to support several ongoing projects. These include the collection, management, and analysis of neuroimaging (MRI and MEG) for, 1) the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) study, an NIH-funded, longitudinal research project which will examine influences on children's brain development from the second trimester through age 10 (https://heal.nih.gov/research/infants-and-children/healthy-brain), 2) Mother Infant Magnetoencephalography (MInI-MEG), an NIH-funded project to adapt and validate wearable optically-pumped magnetometers (OPMs) for hyperscanning in mother-infant dyads, and 3) other pilot studies as the need arises. This position will report directly to Dr. Brittany Howell.

The duties of the research associate will include:
* Managing all aspects of MRI data collection for the assigned projects
* Helping maintain computing resources to support project goals
* Being the primary contact for all neuroimaging related communications
* Acquiring MRI and MEG data in infants, toddlers, and young children as part of the research team

Required Qualifications

* A Master's or other advanced degree
* Experience working with high levels of confidentiality.
* Experience in neuroimaging data analysis (any modality)
* Demonstrated experience effectively collaborating with multiple researchers and dealing with complex datasets.
* No previous postdoctoral experience is required.
* Competence in using a variety of software packages to analyze and present data
* Competence in using high performance computing (HPC) for data analysis
* Demonstrated experience communicating data and results in a clear, concise manner, both in writing, as well as verbally with an interdisciplinary team of investigators.
* Experience maintaining accurate and detailed records.
* Excellent analytical, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience managing longitudinal neuroimaging studies.
* Demonstrated interest in infant development and working with families from diverse backgrounds.
* Experience with data collection using Siemens MRI scanners.
* Experience with wearable MEG data collection using OPMs

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Review Date

3/31/2023

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight , a , a college, , and . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous and . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.