Research Assistant - Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research

Kennedy Krieger Institute, Inc.; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 37,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennedy Krieger Institute, Inc. conducts neurodevelopmental and imaging research focused on children with neurodevelopmental conditions, engaging in every phase from participant recruitment to MRI data processing and dissemination of findings.

The Research Assistant I role involves working with pediatric participants, coordinating MRI sessions, processing imaging data, and performing quality assurance, statistical analyses, and reproducible research workflows using Python, MATLAB, and R.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field required.
• 1 year of research experience preferred.
• Familiarity with neuroimaging software such as FreeSurfer, FSL, AFNI, SPM, MRICloud, or related platforms.
• Experience with Python, R, or MATLAB preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist with study enrollment and scheduling, screening participants, and supporting retention.
• Prepare pediatric participants for MRI scanning, including mock scanner training and behavioral support.
• Administer, score, and support various research activities per protocol and IRB requirements.
• Maintain accurate study documentation and regulatory records for IRB compliance.
• Coordinate and support MRI and diffusion optical tomography (DOT) scanning sessions for pediatric participants.

Skills

Python

R

MATLAB

data visualization

statistical analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Biology, or a related field

Tools

FreeSurfer

FSL

AFNI

SPM

MRICloud

Job description

Overview

The Research Assistant I assists behavioral and neuroimaging research focused on children with neurodevelopmental conditions with the Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research Center. The Research Assistant I will play an integral role in all phases of research, including participant recruitment and assessment, MRI data acquisition, neuroimaging data processing, quantitative analysis, and dissemination of research findings. This role interacts with children and families in a clinical research environment and works independently with complex neuroimaging datasets and computational tools.

Responsibilities

1. Assist with study enrollment, including screening potential participants, determining eligibility, scheduling appointments, preparing participant materials, and supporting participant retention and longitudinal follow-up efforts.
2. Prepare pediatric participants for MRI scanning, including mock scanner training, behavioral support, and facilitation of a positive and engaging research experience for children and families.
3. Administer, score, and support psychosocial, behavioral, clinical, physiologic, and neuroimaging research activities in accordance with study protocols and Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements.
4. Maintain accurate study documentation, participant records, regulatory records, and research databases to ensure accessibility, completeness, and compliance with IRB standards.
5. Coordinate and support MRI and diffuse optical tomography (DOT) scanning sessions involving pediatric participants, ensuring adherence to study protocols and MRI safety procedures.
6. Coordinate and support collection of actigraphy, EEG, wearable sensor, biological motion capture, and computer vision-based data to assess physical activity, sleep health, physiological function, motor functioning, and movement patterns.
7. Perform quality assurance procedures for MRI, DOT, wearable sensor, and biological motion capture data acquisition; monitor scan and data quality; and troubleshoot issues during data collection.
8. Process structural and functional neuroimaging data using established pipelines and software tools, conduct image quality control, and identify imaging artifacts.
9. Assist with neuroimaging analyses, including brain morphometry, connectivity analyses, longitudinal modeling, and other analytical approaches across research modalities.
10. Process and analyze actigraphy, EEG, wearable sensor, biological motion capture, behavioral, and clinical datasets to quantify physical activity, sleep health, physiological outcomes, and motor function.
11. Manage, clean, integrate, organize, and maintain neuroimaging, wearable sensor, biological motion capture, behavioral, clinical, and imaging archive databases.
12. Write and maintain scripts for automated data processing, quality assurance, database management, data visualization, and reproducible research workflows using tools such as Python, MATLAB, R, or Bash.
13. Generate figures, tables, reports, and other materials for manuscripts, presentations, conference abstracts, grant applications, grant reporting, and academic, clinical, or community audiences.
14. Participate in laboratory meetings, research discussions, and meetings with research and administrative partners; assist with scheduling, agenda preparation, discussion facilitation, and note-taking as needed.

Qualifications

EDUCATION:

Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Biology, or a related field, required.

EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated interest in neurodevelopment, child development, neuroscience, or clinical research, required.
• One (1) year of experience with biomedical or social research experience preferred.
• Familiarity with neuroimaging software such as FreeSurfer, FSL, AFNI, SPM, MRICloud, or related platforms, preferred.
• Experience working with children, families, or clinical populations.
• Experience with statistical analysis and data visualization and proficiency in at least one programming language (e.g., Python, R, MATLAB), preferred.

Minimum pay range

USD $36,955.98/Yr.

Maximum pay range

USD $60,296.50/Yr.

Software Powered by ICIMS

Vacancy ID 13422

Pos. Category Research & Laboratories

Job Location : Street 716 N. Broadway

# of Hours 40.00

Job Locations US-MD-Baltimore

Pos. Type Regular Full Time

Department : Name Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research

Equal Opportunity Provider & Employer M/F/Disability/ProtectedVet