Postdoctoral Opportunity – Neurodevelopmental Disorders & Language Neurobiology
The ALBA Language Neurobiology Laboratory at UCSF is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to study neurodevelopmental disorders affecting language and mathematics.
Job Summary
The selected candidate will participate in projects that focus on establishing MRI protocols with cutting-edge methodologies and applying advanced neuroimaging techniques to a wide range of neurological diseases and conditions. The candidate will have the opportunity to be involved in a translational research project and work closely with the current members of the team, and contribute to our empirical efforts to further our understanding of the neurobiology of language.
Research Focus
- Develop and implement mutimodal MRI approaches to map brain development.
- Use advanced analysis techniques (tractography, graph theory, machine learning) to uncover neural signatures of disorders such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and ADHD.
- Work within a multidisciplinary team to connect brain data with behavioral and genetic markers, advancing both science and potential interventions.
- This position offers the opportunity to contribute to a growing field and advance our understanding of atypical brain development in children and young adults.
Department Description
The UCSF Department of Neurology brings together world-class researchers and physicians to solve some of the most complex challenges in the human brain. The Department's mission is to deliver superb patient care, to apply state-of-the-art translational research methods to discover the causes of and treatments for human nervous system disorders, and to educate each generation of medical students, neurology residents and postdoctoral fellows. By fostering cross-disciplinary interactions among scientists around the world, we accelerate the pace of discovery and champion the University's global health initiatives.
Laboratory Description
The ALBA Language Neurobiology laboratory is located in the UCSF Fein Memory and Aging Center. The laboratory aims to provide world-class clinical care while performing cutting-edge research on the cognitive and neural correlates of language and related cognitive functions across the life span. Our multidisciplinary team correlates behavioral research with multimodal neuroimaging techniques to understand the neural underpinning of higher cognitive functions such as speech, language, mathematics and memory. Neurodegenerative as well as neurodevelopmental disorders including frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia, dyslexia and dyscalculia are used as clinical models.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in a related science area such as neurology, radiology, neuroscience, cognitive science, biomedical engineering or a related discipline.
- Previous work experience with MRI data collection and analysis.
- Familiarity with existing neuroimaging tools such as SPM, Freesurfer, AFNI, and FSL.
- Familiarity with at least one programming or scripting language such as Python, Matlab, R, and C/C++.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity and experience with any of the following will be a plus: connectomics, diffusion-weighted MRI, tractography, functional MRI, MRI data harmonization, machine/deep learning, graph theory, dementia studies, mathematical modeling.
- Strong writing skills demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-based environment.
How to Apply
To apply, please send a cover letter describing interests and relevant prior experience, a CV, and three names of potential references to [email protected] and [email protected].
Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator
Job Summary
Under the supervision of a Clinical Research Supervisor or Principal Investigator (PI), the Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator will perform entry-level duties related to the support and coordination of clinical studies in the Dyslexia Center, and may receive training and development to prepare and advance for journey-level work at the next level within the series.
May be responsible for the coordination of one or more single or multi-site, active or follow-up trials; help prepare protocols for study initiation; help design flow sheets, data forms and source documents; gather and interpret medical, surgical and laboratory data regarding clinical trial subjects; may apply understanding of inclusion/exclusion eligibility criteria for protocols; help recruit, enroll, register, schedule and retain study subjects; record protocol specific treatments and assure collection and shipment of samples; assist research personnel to keep patients on study schedules; complete study forms to submit to sponsors and/or appropriate agencies; collect, enter and clean data into study databases, maintaining data quality; assist with data analysis; assist with preparation of reports and tables; attend team meetings; and perform other duties as assigned.
Department Description
The ALBA Language Neurobiology laboratory in the UCSF Fein Memory and Aging Center studies how language is organized into brain networks across the lifespan. Our group researches how language skills and brain regions are impacted by neurological conditions and how they reorganize in response. Our multidisciplinary team correlates behavioral research with multimodal neuroimaging techniques to understand the neural underpinning of higher cognitive functions such as speech, language and memory. In particular, we research two syndromes: Primary Progressive Aphasia and Dyslexia.
The PI is also co-director of the UCSF Dyslexia Center. The center aims to eliminate the debilitating effects of developmental dyslexia while supporting the relative strengths of each individual. We develop best practice protocols to assess and diagnose children with dyslexia through a multimodal cognitive and neuroimaging program. We work closely with schools and educators to develop early interventions and educational strategies to help children with dyslexia thrive.
Required Qualifications
- HS graduation and sufficient experience and demonstrated skills to successfully perform the assigned duties and responsibilities; and/or equivalent experience/training.
- Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communications and presentation skills; excellent organizational skills; and excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively in a diverse team.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Windows.
- Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-based environment; project management and coordination skills; ability to prioritize tasks and meet multiple deadlines on concurrent projects.
- Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with patients, co-workers, & physicians.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated proficiency with REDCap, Qualtrics, or other research software.
- Experience working with study subjects or other people ages 5 through 18.
- Experience working with data collection forms and databases.
How to Apply
Click here for more information and to apply.
Multitudes Training Specialist
The UCSF Dyslexia Center is seeking a Training Specialist to support the statewide implementation of Multitudes, California's free early reading screening platform for students in kindergarten through second grade.
Job Summary
The UCSF Dyslexia Center focuses on improving diagnosis, care, and interventions for children and adults with learning challenges and includes principal investigators across two different departments, Neurology and Psychiatry. Our multidisciplinary research team includes neuroscientists, geneticists, and clinicians across language, reading, cognition, aging, visuospatial, and social domains who examine the whole person throughout the lifespan.
We are seeking a skilled education and training professional to support the statewide implementation of Multitudes as a Training Specialist. The Training Specialist will join a dynamic, interdisciplinary team committed to improving literacy outcomes for young students across California. This role will facilitate training sessions, both virtually and in person at school locations around the state, to assist users in the adoption and use of the Multitudes platform and screener with their K-2 students.
Key Responsibilities
- Facilitate virtual professional development sessions for schools and districts adopting Multitudes.
- Provide adequate support to training participants, ensuring that they meet training learning goals.
- Collect participant feedback on training content and use of the Multitudes platform.
- Collaborate with the training lead on training sessions, including areas for improvement and iterative development of training content and approaches.
- Communicate effectively with training participants about the purpose and benefits of universal screening with Multitudes.
- Help establish and maintain positive relationships between the Multitudes team and school partners.
Qualifications
- Minimum Bachelor's degree in Education or a related field.
- Instructional coaching, training, or professional development experience for educators.
- Experience teaching literacy in the early elementary grades to multilingual students.
- Dynamic and engaging verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to connect and build relationships with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders.
- Ability to deliver culturally relevant, linguistically appropriate instruction to adult learners.
- Technological proficiency and problem-solving abilities related to video conferencing and delivering virtual presentations.
- Strong organizational skills and effective collaboration skills within an interdisciplinary team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bilingual in English and Spanish, with native or near-native Spanish language proficiency.
- Knowledge of evidence-based reading strategies and bilingual literacy development.
- Experience working with multilingual students and students with learning disabilities.
Position Details
- Up to 40% time.
- Onsite at partner schools, remote, and at Multitudes' China Basin office located at the UCSF Mission Bay campus.
How to Apply
Competitive salary includes an excellent benefit and compensation package. Please send a cover letter and curriculum vitae to [email protected].