Specialized Laboratory Technician

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine is seeking a Full-time Specialized Laboratory Technician to support NIH-funded neuroimaging studies. The role centers on acquiring and managing high-quality MRI data, with training and potential co-authorship opportunities for presentations and publications.

The position involves scanning, QC, data processing, and secure data handling, with emphasis on reliability, organization, and collaboration in a respected research environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum education: bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum experience: 4 years in a related scientific field.
• Preferred: degree in psychology, neuroscience or related field; MRI certification and neuroimaging tools experience are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct MRI scanning sessions on a 3T Siemens Prisma with pediatric research participants.
• Perform quality control to detect motion and artifacts.
• Process and analyze imaging data.
• Manage secure data storage, transfer and organization per NIH and institutional requirements.

Skills

MRI operation (3T)

MRI data QC & analysis

Pediatric MRI scanning

Attention to detail

MRI certification

Data storage practices

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

FSL

SPM

FreeSurfer

Job description

USC's Keck School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, is seeking a Specialized Laboratory Technician .

We are delighted to announce an opening for a Full-time Specialized Laboratory Technician. The BRANCH Lab at USC is hiring a Research MRI Technologist to support NIH-funded neuroimaging studies of metabolic health. This role is centered on acquiring and managing high-quality MRI data for research.

This would be an excellent position for a recent graduate seeking to gain additional research experience prior to graduate school. There will be training in multiple methods and opportunities for co-authorship in presentations and publications. The successful candidate will be highly motivated, reliable, conscientious, and organized.

Responsibilities

• Conduct MRI scanning sessions on a 3T Siemens Prisma (structural, fMRI, ASL) with pediatric research participants
• perform quality control to detect motion and artifacts
• process and analyze imaging data
• manage secure data storage, transfer, and organization per NIH and institutional requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience operating a 3T MRI scanner (Siemens Prisma preferred)
• experience with MRI data QC and analysis
• familiarity with research data storage practices
• and strong attention to detail
• MRI certification, experience with neuroimaging tools (FSL, SPM, FreeSurfer), and pediatric research scanning are a plus.

Hourly rate range for this position is $28.83 - $36.02. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree

Minimum Experience: 4 years

Minimum Field of Expertise: Degree in directly related specialized scientific field.

Preferred Education: B.A. or B.S. in psychology, neuroscience or related field

Preferred Experience: Experience operating a 3T MRI scanner

Preferred Field of Expertise: Research interest in neuroscience of feeding behavior

Previous specialized laboratory experience, knowledgeable in use of specialized laboratory equipment. Working knowledge of lab procedures, techniques and testing related to specialized scientific field. Computer literacy.