Research Assistant (Diagnostic Radiology)

Job Description

The National University of Singapore invites applications for Research Assistant for the project “NeuroSCOPE: Neural Signatures of Cognitive Outcomes in Preterm Evaluation” in the Department of Diagostic 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

1. • 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.

1. Data Acquisition & Quality Assurance

1. • 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.

1. Data Management & Entry

1. • 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.

1. Image Processing & Preliminary Analysis

1. • 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.

1. Regulatory & Administrative Support

1. • 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).

1. Scientific Communication & Team Collaboration

1. • Conduct literature reviews to support grant writing and manuscript preparation.

Qualifications

Qualifications

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

Experience: 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).
• Working knowledge of statistical analysis environments, especially R, would be an advantage
• 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

Interpersonal Abilities:

• Excellent verbal communication, with sensitivity to working with children and families.
• Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Other Requirements:

• Willingness to undergo MRI safety training and background checks.
• Flexibility to accommodate occasional weekend study visits.

Remuneration will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.