DESCRIPTION

UCSD Department of Psychiatry is one of the most innovative and productive academic departments in the country, offering challenging career opportunities in the diverse areas of advanced educational programs, cutting-edge research, and state-of-the-art clinical services. The department is committed to offering a dynamic learning environment and growing opportunities to its talented and dedicated employees.

The HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (HNRP)-Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) provides broad scientific and programmatic leadership for multi-disciplinary research programs related to HIV or cannabis or both. As part of its leadership role, the HNRP-CMCR stimulates and helps coordinate interdisciplinary collaborative research at the local, regional, national, and international levels, and also serves as a resource for consultation, training and career development for investigators working in HIV/AIDS, cannabis and associated issues. The HNRP-CMCR greatly facilitates research progress by identifying and broadly encouraging work on important topics, and by offering potential investigators (a) multidisciplinary consultation and training, (b) coordinated access to data and biological specimens from existing human subjects cohorts, and (c) state-of-the-art expertise with statistics, data management, and recruiting of new participant groups to meet specific needs of the proposed investigation. The HNRP-CMCR conducts numerous studies, clinical and non-clinical, of a variety of conditions including HIV, mental health disorders and substance use. Studies include the evaluation of interventions such as cannabinoids, other therapeutics and behavioral interventions.

Under supervision by the Principal Investigator (PI) and HNRP supervisory personnel, incumbent will assist with coordinating and implementing the day-to-day operation of a study examining the effects of commercially-available cannabis products on driving performance and cognition, including evaluating participants in a mobile assessment vehicle in the community. Incumbent will also assist with other projects relating to the effects of cannabis and cannabinoids on driving, cognition, and medical/psychiatric conditions, as well as testing HNRP participants, as needed. Duties will include assisting with the determination of participant eligibility, tracking project recruitment goals and data collection. Incumbent will administer standardized driving simulations as well as measures of neuropsychological functioning. The person will also conduct standardized interviews of participants’ psychiatric history, and substance use history. Other responsibilities will include assuring the accuracy of interview and collected test data, including identifying erroneous data and resolving any discrepancies in the data with assistance from investigators and HNRP supervisory personnel as needed. Assist the PI in preparing and managing Institutional Review Board (IRB) materials. Meet weekly with study PI and HNRP supervisory personnel to review study recruitment and update personnel on progress made regarding all scientific and operational aims of the study protocol. Serve as liaison between the various multi-disciplinary investigators and administrative research staff and assist the study PI with database management, data analyses and manuscript preparation. Incumbent will also assist PI with new proposals, submission of applications and progress reports to federal and state regulatory bodies and renewals. Assist with other duties as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Theoretical knowledge of neuropsychology, neurosciences, substance use, infectious diseases (i.e., HIV), or related fields.

• Must have valid CA Driver's License and acceptable driving record.

• Willingness to drive a mobile assessment vehicle (i.e., large van) to community locations.

• Experience in administering neurobehavioral assessments, psychological tests, and/or psychiatric interviews.

• Proficiency with word processing, graphics, statistical, and database programs.

• Proven ability to conduct data analyses, data collection, data tracking, interpretation and presentation.

• Knowledge of statistical concepts and ability to perform basic statistical analyses.

• Proven ability to implement data collection forms and questionnaires pertinent to a research study.

• Proven ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

• Proven ability to conduct comprehensive literature reviews utilizing multiple sources of media.

• Ability to prioritize work in an environment with frequent interruptions, maintaining a high degree of judgment and confidentiality, while working independently and resourcefully against deadlines.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to foster a good working relationship with a wide variety of people (e.g., participants living with HIV and with psychiatric conditions, including active substance use disorders) using tact, diplomacy, confidentiality and flexibility, including in community settings.

• Excellent writing and editorial skills.

• Experience to assist with coordinating day-long experimental visits including repeated driving and cognitive assessments, in collaboration with medical staff collecting vital signs and biospecimens.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual, with proven ability to administer tests and communicate with participants in both English and Spanish.

• Experience working with people infected with the HIV virus and substance dependent populations.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

• Must have a negative pre-employment TB skin test.

• Availability to work occasional Saturdays.

• Must be willing to interact with a variety of people including those with histories of substance dependence, psychiatric conditions, housing instability and, less frequently, individuals with HIV infection and other communicable disease.

• Must be willing to evaluate individuals in a mobile assessment vehicle, in the community.