Research Associate Postdoc Intern

About the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Since 1942, the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy has been a leader in occupational therapy education, innovative research and clinical practice. The division prepares future occupational therapy professionals and scientists while advancing knowledge and care that promote health, well-being and quality of life. Guided by its values of integrity, collaboration, inclusion, distinction, innovation and compassion, USC Chan is committed to optimizing people’s engagement in the ordinary and extraordinary activities of life.

About the Role

USC's Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate to join the Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy in the Environmental Adaptations for Better Healthcare Experiences (ENABLE) Lab. We are seeking a collaborative, organized researcher who will thrive in a multidisciplinary, fully on-site research environment at USC's Health Sciences Campus and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The position will primarily support an NIDCR-funded clinical trial evaluating sensory-adapted dental environments for children with and without dental fear and anxiety. Key responsibilities include participant recruitment, behavioral and physiological data collection, data management and analysis, and preparation of manuscripts, presentations, and other research products. The scholar may also contribute to related ENABLE Lab research projects.

This is an excellent opportunity to be part of a leading Chan Division that values collaboration, professional growth, and a commitment to excellence.

Job Summary:

The Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate serves as a research trainee under the direction of a faculty supervisor, developing research competencies through participation in funded research projects. The scholar will contribute to the implementation and conduct of established research protocols, with primary effort devoted to a clinical trial evaluating behavioral intervention in pediatric dental care. The role includes participant-facing research activities, behavioral and physiological data collection, data management and analysis, literature review, scientific writing, and dissemination. The scholar will work collaboratively with the ENABLE Lab research team and may carry out assigned responsibilities independently, as appropriate. This is a temporary, fixed-term, one-year appointment that may be renewed in accordance with university policy.

Job Accountabilities:

• Contributes to the implementation and conduct of established research protocols under the direction of the faculty supervisor.

• Recruit, screen, schedule, consent, and assent research participants in accordance with approved study procedures and assigned responsibilities.

• Collect behavioral, physiological, and other study data at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and surrounding communities.

• Follow requirements for participant safety, privacy, confidentiality, informed consent, and accurate study documentation.

• Manage, prepare, clean, analyze, and evaluate quantitative and/or qualitative research data using appropriate software and analytical methods at USC’s Health Science Campus.

• Operate, monitor, and maintain research and physiological data-collection equipment, including calibration, quality checks, and troubleshooting, as applicable.

• Identify, review, compile, and evaluate relevant scientific literature, data sources, research methods, and technologies.

• Contribute to and/or lead writing of manuscripts, abstracts, presentations, technical reports, study records, and other research documentation.

• Collaborate with investigators, research staff, students, and clinical partners to support consistent study implementation and project timelines.

• Contribute to related ENABLE Lab research activities and perform other research duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate completed within the previous five years.

• Experience contributing to human-participant, clinical, behavioral, or health-related research.

• Experience with participant recruitment, assessment, and data collection; experience working with children and families is helpful.

• Knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods and statistical analysis.

• Experience using statistical, data-management, or qualitative-analysis software.

• Experience collecting physiological or behavioral data and using related research equipment is helpful.

• Strong written and oral communication skills, including scientific writing.

• Strong organization, planning, problem-solving, and project-management skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team while carrying out assigned responsibilities independently when appropriate.

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The annual rate for this position is $72,413/year. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

The Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate will support an NIDCR-funded clinical trial in the ENABLE Lab evaluating sensory-adapted dental environments for children with and without dental fear and anxiety. Under the direction of a faculty supervisor, the scholar will recruit and assess participants, collect and analyze behavioral and physiological data, manage research records, review scientific literature, and contribute to manuscripts, presentations, and other research products. The position requires a recent doctoral degree, experience with human-participant research, strong analytical and scientific writing skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team. This is a fully on-site, one-year, fixed-term appointment based at USC’s Health Sciences Campus and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, with the possibility of renewal in accordance with university policy.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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