Research Associate - College of Health Professions, Department of Health Sciences and Research

Job Description Summary

MUSC’s College of Health Professions seeks a highly motivated Research Associate to support NIH-funded neuroimaging research on neurodegenerative diseases and aging-related brain changes. Responsibilities include overseeing data acquisition and quality control, managing data sharing and curation, conducting image analyses, and contributing to manuscripts and grant submissions. Preferred qualifications include intermediate-to-advanced programming skills, experience independently conducting and troubleshooting neuroimaging analyses, and strong communication skills.

Entity

Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC - Univ)

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type​

Faculty

Cost Center

CC000222 CHP - HS&R Admin

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Pay Grade

University-00

Pay Range

0.00 - 0.00 - 0.000

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

Job Description

MUSC’s College of Health Professions seeks a highly motivated Research Associate to join a multidisciplinary neuroimaging research team of faculty investigators, clinicians, data scientists, trainees, and national and international collaborators. We conduct NIH-funded research focused on the early detection, prediction, and characterization of neurodegenerative diseases and aging-related brain changes through advanced diffusion MRI, fMRI, MR Spectroscopy, and PET imaging. The Research Associate will be primarily responsible for supervising data acquisition, ensuring data quality control, managing data sharing and curation, conducting image analysis, and contributing to manuscript and grant submissions. Preferred qualifications include intermediate-to-advanced programming skills, the ability to independently conduct, rigorously document, and troubleshoot neuroimaging analyses using established analysis pipelines and software, and strong oral and written communication skills. Projects will include:

• Advanced diffusion MRI of brain aging and preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (R01AG054159, PI Benitez, Co-Is Jensen, Chen, and Devignes)
• Structural and functional changes following non-invasive brain stimulation for Mild Cognitive Impairment (R01AG081237, PI Benitez; K23AG090691, PI Aghamoosa)
• Data from related projects and collaborations, including normative modeling of diffusion MRI (PI Chen), diffusion and functional MRI monitoring of therapy response in 3xTg-AD mice (R01AG057602, PI Jensen), olfaction-related changes in brain aging (R01DC019078, PI Schlosser, Co-I Benitez), digital health outcomes from non-invasive brain stimulation trials (PI Aghamoosa), and blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease in the context of cannabis use in aging (K24AG088840, PI Benitez).

Key Responsibilities

Research and Analysis (30%)

• Oversee and support acquisition of multimodal neuroimaging data, including diffusion MRI, functional MRI (fMRI), MR spectroscopy (MRS), and PET imaging, in accordance with study protocols and standardized procedures.
• Monitor imaging data acquisition and perform rigorous quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) to identify acquisition artifacts, protocol deviations, and other data quality concerns.
• Independently conduct, document, and troubleshoot neuroimaging analyses using established software, pipelines, and scientific programming tools.
• Develop, adapt, and implement reproducible scripts and workflows for image preprocessing, processing, quality control, statistical analysis, and visualization.
• Maintain detailed documentation of analytic methods, processing decisions, quality-control procedures, and results to promote scientific rigor and reproducibility.
• Conduct preliminary quantitative analyses integrating neuroimaging data with cognitive, clinical, behavioral, biomarker, and other research data.
• Evaluate emerging neuroimaging and computational methods and assist with their implementation when appropriate for ongoing research.

Data and Infrastructure Management (30%)

• Manage the organization, curation, storage, and documentation of multimodal neuroimaging data and associated research datasets.
• Maintain standardized data structures, naming conventions, metadata, and documentation to facilitate efficient data use, reproducibility, and long-term curation.
• Develop and maintain automated and reproducible workflows for image processing, quality control, data management, and analysis.
• Manage analytic code, processing pipelines, version control, and documentation across research projects.
• Coordinate data transfer and sharing among investigators, collaborators, data repositories, and other approved research partners in accordance with study and institutional requirements.
• Assist with preparation, curation, and documentation of datasets for data sharing, archiving, and submission to external repositories.
• Support use of computing environments and secure research data storage systems.
• Monitor data completeness, integrity, and processing status across studies and proactively identify and resolve data-related issues.

Scientific Leadership and Collaboration (20%)

• Serve as a technical and scientific resource in neuroimaging methods, image processing, and quantitative analysis for investigators, research staff, and trainees.
• Develop and refine imaging protocols, analytic approaches, and study procedures.
• Identify technical and analytic challenges, troubleshoot problems, and recommend appropriate solutions in consultation with study investigators.
• Provide training and guidance to research staff and trainees in neuroimaging acquisition, quality control, data processing, programming, and reproducible research practices.
• Lead imaging-focused research and project meetings among investigators and trainees.

Publications and Grants (20%)

• Collaborate with investigators and other team members in the scientific interpretation and dissemination of research findings.
• Contribute substantively to preparation of peer-reviewed manuscripts, conference abstracts, scientific presentations, and other research products.
• Contribute to NIH and other grant applications through development of neuroimaging methods and analytic plans, preparation of preliminary data, and generation of figures and supporting materials.
• Prepare and document neuroimaging methods, analytic approaches, results, figures, and tables for manuscripts and presentations.
• Maintain documentation necessary to ensure that published analyses can be reproduced and appropriately shared.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, and Experience

• A Master's or Doctoral degree in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, computer science, biostatistics, epidemiology, data science, psychology, or a related field.
• Two or more years of research experience in neuroimaging preferred.
• Intermediate-to-advanced proficiency with Python, R, MATLAB, or similar programming languages.
• Published scholarship or work products that demonstrate existing skills related to this role.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Prior experience working within a multi-disciplinary scientific team.
• Experience working with diffusion MRI, functional MRI, structural MRI, or PET data.
• Experience with neuroimaging software packages such as FreeSurfer, FSL, SPM, ANTs, AFNI, MRtrix, or related tools.
• Experience managing datasets from multicenter studies such as ADNI, NACC, UK Biobank, All of Us, or similar cohorts.
• Experience with statistical analysis tools such as SPSS or R.
• Experience with machine learning, artificial intelligence, predictive modeling, or large-scale data analytics.
• Familiarity with high-performance computing environments or containerized workflows.
• Experience contributing to successful grant applications.

*Applications must include the following documents: a cover letter that addresses the job requirements and a resume/CV that includes the names of at least three professional references.

Additional Job Description

Physical Requirements: (Note: The following descriptions are applicable to this section: Continuous - 6-8 hours per shift; Frequent - 2-6 hours per shift; Infrequent - 0-2 hours per shift) Ability to perform job functions in an upright position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions in a seated position. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking/mobile. (Frequent) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work in all cold temperature extremes, i.e. spot coolers. (Frequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to perform 'pinching' operations. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both hands/arms. (Continuous) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Possess good finger dexterity. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 15 lbs., unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lift objects, up to 15 lbs., from floor level to height of 72 inches, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to lower objects, up to 15 lbs., from height of 72 inches to floor level, unassisted. (Frequent) Ability to push/pull objects, up to 15 lbs., unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift and carry objects up to 15 lbs. a distance of five (5) floors and to outlying buildings. (Frequent) Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to be qualified physically (by medical personnel) for respirator use, initially and annually. Ability to work alone in isolated areas, such as darkrooms. (Frequent) Additional New Requirements: Ability to obtain and maintain a valid drivers license. Computer literacy. Ability to work rotating shifts as required. Ability to work overtime as required. Ability to learn and use new processes, tools and equipment as required.

If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.

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