"Research Assistant (Diagnostic Radiology)"

Job Description

The National University of Singapore invites applications for Research Assistant for the project “Brain Connectivity in Learning Difficulties (BRACO-LD)” in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. Appointments will be made on a 2-year contract basis in the first instance, with the possibility of extension.

Overview

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Research Assistant (RA) to join our team. Under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator (PI) and senior study staff, the RA will play a pivotal role in all phases of our brain imaging studies, from participant recruitment through data analysis and dissemination. This position offers hands-on experience with state-of-the-art MRI acquisition, neuroimaging processing pipelines, and behavioral assessment in pediatric cohorts.

Key Responsibilities

1. Participant Recruitment & Engagement
   • Identify and screen potential participants via developmental clinics, and community outreach.
   • Obtain informed consent/assent, explain study procedures to parents and guardians, and maintain rapport throughout study visits.
   • Coordinate scheduling of MRI appointments and follow-up assessments, ensuring participant comfort and compliance.
2. Data Acquisition & Quality Assurance
   • Prepare participants for MRI scanning, including participant positioning, safety screening, and adherence to scan protocols.
   • Administer standardized behavioral and cognitive assessments (e.g., executive function tasks, language batteries) in accordance with study manuals.
3. Data Management & Entry
   • Enter demographic, clinical, and assessment data into secure electronic databases (e.g., REDCap), ensuring accuracy and completeness.
   • Organize, anonymize, and archive neuroimaging files (DICOM, NIfTI), behavioral recordings, and ancillary data in accordance with institutional data-management policies.
   • Perform regular data backups and version control for analysis scripts and documentation.
4. Image Processing & Preliminary Analysis
   • Assist with preprocessing pipelines (e.g., motion correction, normalization, segmentation) using tools such as FSL, CONN etc.
   • Extract imaging-derived metrics (e.g., resting-state connectivity, diffusion tensor metrics) and integrate with behavioral measures.
   • Perform basic statistical analyses (e.g., correlation, regression) in SPSS, R, or Python to support ongoing manuscripts and presentations.
5. Regulatory & Administrative Support
   • Prepare study materials, ethics submissions, and amendments for Institutional Review Board (IRB) review.
   • Track regulatory compliance, ensuring all team members complete required trainings (e.g., human subjects protection, MRI safety).
6. Scientific Communication & Team Collaboration
   • Conduct literature reviews to support grant writing and manuscript preparation.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.

Prior exposure to human neuroimaging (MRI/fMRI) or developmental research preferred but not required.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data-entry platforms (e.g., REDCap).
• Comfort learning new imaging software (e.g., FSL, SPM).
• Proficiency in at least one scripting or programming language (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or R) to automate data-processing pipelines, perform batch analyses, and develop custom scripts.
• Experience writing shell scripts (bash, PowerShell) to manage large neuroimaging datasets and streamline preprocessing workflows would be an advantage but not a requirement

Other Requirements:

• Willingness to undergo MRI

Apply now