Postdoctoral Scholar - Imaging and Pain Research, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
Position Overview
Organization: Rehabilitation Medicine
Title: Postdoctoral Scholar - Imaging and Pain Research, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
Position Details
Position Description
The University of Washington’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine is seeking one Postdoctoral Scholar interested in imaging research. This position will be full-time and while this is designed to be a multi-year fellowship, the initial appointment will be for one year, with reappointment for a second year based on satisfactory progress in the first year. Reappointments may be possible up to 5 years total, inclusive of all postdoctoral experience at other institutions. Anticipated start date is February 1, 2025, but later dates may be considered.
This position will be co-mentored by Dr. Mark Jensen and Dr. Melissa Day, and work closely with a wider interdisciplinary team to work on a recently awarded NIA R01 clinical trial investigating fMRI and EEG assessed mechanisms of behavioural interventions for chronic pain in older adults. This research has been accompanied by a consistent presence of postdoctoral fellowships that have prepared multiple individuals for independent professional careers at academic positions within major academic institutions. We are committed to helping our Postdoctoral Fellows achieve their personal goals and to support the preparation needed to achieve those goals.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Study tasks related to direct participant (under research technician supervision): ~ 50%
- On-site quantitative sensory testing data collection and uploading into cloud storage.
- On-site EEG data collection and uploading EEG data into cloud storage.
- On-site structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging data collection
- Curation and storage of behavioral, EEG and MRI data in Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS) format, and uploading to cloud storage for access by the UW DISC lab.
- Analyses of EEG data, with requisite skills in using EEGLAB or similar platform
- Analyses of structural and functional MRI data using standard software packages (SPM, FSL, Brain Voyager, etc.)
- Performing treatment-related procedures, including delivery of standardized meditation and hypnosis practices (i.e., read from a script, with training provided), performing treatment fidelity procedures, and revising treatment materials if needed.
- Participating in weekly supervision (group and/or individual):
- Please note that our goal is to provide the majority of study sessions/assessments during standard business hours (8a-5p, M-F), but the nature of research is that some flexibility will be required, including occasional study sessions that are outside of standard hours.
- Additional study-related tasks beyond direct participant contact, including: ~ 50%
- Assisting the study investigators and research staff in other aspects of study procedures as needed, including problem-solving issues that arise in the course of a clinical trial or consulting with staff on how to handle distressed research participants.
- Attending weekly study staff meetings.
- Participating in weekly or bi-weekly research mentorship meetings (individual) with primary mentor for professional development and growth.
- Contributing to and ultimately publishing from data being collected on the primary study.
- Other tasks as assigned with coordination/permission from the supervisory team:
- Co-authoring manuscripts from multiple pre-existing longitudinal, cross-sectional, and clinical trial datasets that relate to the ongoing study and/or broader mission of the research program (e.g., multiple sclerosis, symptom management, psychological factors).
- Grant-writing
- Other clinical work such as screening and assessments.
Additional Information:
- Each fellow will develop an Individual Developmental Plan (IDP) to guide their fellowship training.
- The fellow will have a primary mentor, as well as an opportunity for mentorship from and collaboration with multiple additional faculty. Mentorship will relate to the primary study duties, as well as professional development, manuscript writing, and grant writing.
- The fellow will be part of a cohort of trainees. There will be modest overlap of duties, as well as encouragement to collaborate on research products (e.g., manuscripts) on topics of shared interest
- The fellow will have opportunities to participate in didactic, workshop or other educational opportunities to further enhance their training. Fellows also participate in our writing club.
- Pending supervisor approval, the fellow may pursue other training opportunities offered through other UW resources (such as the UW Institute of Translational Health Sciences (ITHS): see https://www.iths.org).
- The fellow will have office space at the Ninth and Jefferson Building (14th floor) at Harborview Medical Center.
Current Project:
The following project is the focus of this postdoctoral fellowship, although others may arise as time allows. Pain and brain imaging focused Fellowship on the ‘Mechanisms of Mindfulness Meditation and Self-Hypnosis for Chronic Pain in Older Adults’ study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This fellowship is part of a study designed to examine the neuromodulatory mediators and moderators of chronic pain improvement associated with Mindfulness Meditation and Clinical Hypnosis relative to an attention control for pain intensity reduction in older adults. Sophisticated quantitative sensory testing, EEG and (f)MRI methodology will be employed in the context of this lab-based clinical trial. The fellow will serve in a key role by spending approximately 50% of their time delivering the laboratory-based assessments and interventions. The other 50% of their time will be spent assisting in the administrative leadership of the study and other research activities (see above for details).
COMPENSATION
The base salary will be $68,460 annually ($5,705 per month). Other compensation associated with this position may include a moving allowance (if applicable).
Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the University of Washington Labor Relations website.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine has a long history in clinical care and research focused on individuals living with chronic pain and other chronic conditions. This includes a robust program of research, both longitudinal observational studies and randomized clinical trials on chronic pain and its management, as well as co-morbidities such as depressive disorders, sleep disorders and opioid misuse. Learn more at https://rehab.washington.edu/
Qualifications
Required:
- PhD in a relevant field (e.g. Psychology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Science)
- Prior experience in the acquisition and analysis of brain imaging data (MRI, fMRI and EEG)
Additional Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with populations of interest (chronic pain, older adults)
Instructions
Please upload the following required documents via this link:
- CV
- Cover Letter, including statement of academic/research interests and career goals
- Names and addresses of two professional referees who may be contacted by the committee for inquiries
Review of applications will begin immediately and applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.
For questions about the position, contact email ahrrehab@uw.edu, Attention: Mark Jensen | Rehabilitation Imaging Postdoctoral Scholar | RMI 20241022-07
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
Benefits Information
A summary of benefits associated with this title/rank can be found at https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/benefits-orientation/benefit-summary-pdfs/. Appointees solely employed and paid directly by a non-UW entity are not UW employees and are not eligible for UW or Washington State employee benefits.
Commitment to Diversity
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Disability Services
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.