Multiple Positions in Clinical/Developmental Research at Northwestern University

The MAPS (Mapping the Diversity of Young Children)-Integrated Research Program (MAPS-IRP), which focuses on characterizing and predicting the early emergence of mental health problems, has part-time positions available to advanced undergraduate and graduate students. The MAPS Follow-Up Study (MAPS-FUS) (PI: Lauren Wakschlag, PhD) is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to identify developmentally based brain:behavior markers in early childhood that most sharply predict which young children will go on to develop chronic mental health problems from early school age-pre-adolescence. Individuals hired for these positions will be part of a dynamic collaborative team that includes clinical and developmental psychologists, methodologists, and neuroscientists.

All interested candidates should email resume and contact information for three references to jacqueline-cruz@northwestern.edu.

Research Assistant/Phlebotomist:

One question this study is designed to answer is whether differential exposure to stress may increase health disparities in mental health problems in minority children via changes in their immune system.  To achieve this aim, we will be drawing blood from the children who participate in the school-age assessment.

We are hiring a Research Assistant with pediatric phlebotomy experience to conduct the blood draws. The candidate will also be responsible for processing and storing peripheral blood samples, separating sera from plasma, isolating and stimulating PBMCs for cytokine production and conducting ELISAs. Experience in these techniques is preferred but not required. The Research Assistant will be an important part of the research team.

The Research Assistant’s primary activities involve:

-          Performing blood draws on our pediatric population (children ages 6-9 years old)

-          Collection, handling, and processing of biomedical specimens

-          Conducting study assessments

-          Maintaining accurate, timely, and detailed records of participant contact and databases

-          Other project-related responsibilities

Experience and Preferred/Required Qualifications:

       1.            Experience or demonstrated interest in working with diverse children and their families;

       2.            Experience conducting informed consent process with human research subjects;

       3.            Experience interviewing research participants;

       4.            Phlebotomy experience;

       5.            Willingness to work weekends is required;

       6.            Proficiency in Spanish preferred.

Observational Coder (5 openings):

These positions are responsible for coding developmentally based observations of young children’s disruptive and anxious behavior and parenting behavior. In particular, coders will need to devote 12-20 hours per week of intensive training to reliability and then independently code tapes assessing children’s behavior during a series of semi-structured laboratory activities with a parent and examiner. Once training is complete, hours may be flexible but a minimum commitment of 12 hours per week is required. Coders must be available to attend coding training and reliability meetings on Tuesdays. This is an excellent opportunity for students who are interested in applying to graduate school in Clinical/Developmental Psychology or in expanding their exposure to assessment of early childhood psychopathology and for master’s level professionals interested in working part-time within the context of a larger developmentally based research program.

Experience:

1.       Knowledge of typical early childhood development;

2.       Prior experience with observational methods and/or developmental research preferred;

3.       Interest and/or knowledge about childhood psychopathology;

4.       Ability to work independently and attention to detail.

Time commitment:

1.       Availability to meet on Tuesdays to discuss tapes and reach consensus;

2.       One year commitment is required.

Child Specialist (up to 6 openings):

The Child Specialist is a key member of the assessment team for the MAPS-FUS team. 500 diverse parents and their children will participate in intensive lab-based assessments at school-age (6-8 years old) and at pre-adolescence (9-10 years old). Assessments include direct observation, neurocognitive tasks, puppet interviews and parent interviews about clinical symptoms and family context. The Child Specialist participates in clinical research by assisting the data collection team with transitioning between tasks, helping administer tasks to the children, supervise siblings who are present during a family’s visit, and oversee audio-video recording. The Child Specialist adheres to the lab protocol for lab visit preparation, administration, and completion, and may be assigned general office work and other duties in support of the study. The Child Specialists may also attend team meetings including journal club and other scientifically relevant activities. This is an excellent position for students interested in careers in clinical or developmental psychology or related fields. It will provide outstanding opportunity to obtain experience in clinical research assessment with diverse, developmental populations.

Positions will be available until filled and will start asap.

Northwestern students: There is an opportunity for 399 course credit.

Experience:

       1.            Experience or demonstrated interest in working with diverse children and their families;

       2.            Experience working in a research setting;

       3.            Experience with team work.

Time commitment:

       1.            12-20 hours per week;

       2.            Weekend work is required.