West Virginia University

The Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Senior Research Scientist.

About the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute   
The WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) is a comprehensive multidisciplinary patient care, education, research, and innovation institute providing neurological and mental healthcare for 330,000 patients annually. More than 300 physicians and scientists of the RNI improve lives by pioneering advances in neuroscience, brain health, and therapeutics. The RNI team uses the latest technologies with academic, government, and industry partners to make tangible progress to combat public health challenges ranging from addiction to Alzheimer’s disease. For more information, visit WVUMedicine.org/RNI.

About the Opportunity

As a Senior Scientist Specialized in Neurodegenerative Research, you will drive progress with the multidisciplinary WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute’s Innovation Center team. You will be part of an exciting collaborative effort at an R1 institution working towards innovative solutions to advance the science and clinical research around neurodegenerative diseases. In this role, your efforts will directly support the current and future research related to personalized medicine to advance rapidly evolving work in the field of focused ultrasound neuromodulation, lifestyle interventions and early prognostic indicators of neurodegenerative diseases. Our institute has an extensive registry of patients receiving care through our multidisciplinary clinics for memory, movement disorders and traumatic brain injury. We have seen exponential growth in publications, grants, and IP for work that provide a foundation to improve lives of people in West Virginia and around the globe suffering from various neurodegenerative conditions. This position is primarily remote, and onsite presence may be required as needed. This is not a faculty position and does not require fundraising or proof of prior grant awards. This position will advance the research and development missions of West Virginia University by providing the necessary skills for the coordination and implementation of operational tasks related to several research and development projects that are essential to the research activities of the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:
•    37.5-hour work week 
•    13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
•    24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
•    18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
•    WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
•    401(a) retirement savings with 6%25 employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
•    Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Work with the RNI Innovation Center research team to carry out research projects and clinical trials focused on understanding and improving patients’ outcomes.
• Utilize tools such as electrophysiological, neuromodulation, cognitive batteries, and subjective questionnaires to measure, assess, and improve the monitoring, assessment, and treatment of patients.
• Meet with research participants to describe research protocols, gain informed consent, carry out follow-up visits and other duties as outlined in the research protocols.
• Design and oversee the implementation of clinical studies, ensuring that research protocols are scientifically rigorous and ethically sound.
• Supervise researchers and technicians, providing guidance and training on study protocols. 
• Present research findings at conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals. 
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior researchers and students involved in the program.
• Stay abreast of developments in the field of neuromodulation, gene therapy, and innovative treatments integrating new knowledge into the program's research agenda.
• Participant in grant writing and applications for funding opportunities if necessary. 
  
   

• Doctorate degree in a psychology, psychiatry, public health, behavioral health-related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience involving: 
  • Scientific research methods with memory and movement disorder population 
  • Data analysis and interpretation of behavioral, cognitive, and clinical data

• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.  

   

   

  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

   

   

• Evidence of multiple scientific publications, including first authorship publications 
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple research projects simultaneously. 
• Experience with electrophysiological devices (EEG, EMG, EDA, ECG, Eye tracking) as well as wearables
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse populations 
• Ability to create, annotate and maintain detailed record
• Demonstrated ability to operate a computer utilizing various software packages, including creating spreadsheets, charts, graphs, etc.
• Knowledge of legal and ethical guidelines and regulations related to clinical trials and neuroimaging researc
• Working knowledge of scientific research methods and Institutional Review Board policies and procedures. 
• Ability to effectively prepare and present information on complex neuroimaging findings to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to conduct data analytics and preparation of reports 

• Ability to write and be awarded grants 

   

   

  Preferred Qualifications

   

   

• MD and/or PhD in psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, public health, behavioral health-related field. • Experience conducting clinical trials in participants with neurological diseases.
• Experience setting up and conducting neuroimaging protocol
• Experience Publishing and Presenting scientific reports.
• Working with industry and academic partners on collaborative research efforts
• Protecting confidential information including protected health identifiers of patients enrolled in clinical trials and intellectual property.

• Completing and submitting federal awards (NIH, NSF, DOD). 

   

   

  Electronic submission of application can be made at:    

  https://wvu.taleo.net/careersection/faculty/jobdetail.ftl?job=28737