Greetings,
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 newly funded 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.
Part-time Research Assistant (2
openings):
The research assistant (RA) 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). The RA
performs clinical research by administering interviews, direct behavioral
assessments, neurocognitive computer tasks &/or questionnaires following
protocols; conduct observational coding; collect, compile, enter and process
responses; gather information and assist in the preparation of material for
inclusion in reports and provide other research support to the PI and project
manager as needed. This is an excellent position for graduate students and
others who wish to obtain applied experience in clinical research assessment
with diverse, developmental populations. There are opportunities for
involvement in ongoing papers and scientific products of the MAPS program.
Experience:
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.
Proficiency in Spanish preferred.
Time commitment:
1.
16-20 hours per week;
2.
Work on Tuesdays and Saturdays is required.
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.
Jacqueline
Kestler, MPH
Research Project
Manager
Department of
Medical Social Sciences
Feinberg School
of Medicine
Northwestern
University
633 N. St. Clair,
19th Floor
Chicago, IL 60611
T: 312-503-4374
F: 312-503-9800
