Postdoctoral Scholar - Research Associate at University of Southern California

The USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute and Laboratory of Neuro Imaging (INI, www.ini.usc.edu) are world leaders in the development of advanced computational and scientific approaches for the comprehensive mapping of brain structure and function. LONI’s unique multidisciplinary environment and cutting edge resources allow for integration of clinical, psychological and genotypic information with neuroimaging phenotypes for research questions in neurology, psychiatry and developmental neurobiology.

Dr. Duncan is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at LONI. Her work combines electrical engineering, mathematics, and neurology. She has focused on developing and applying novel mathematical tools, such as nonlinear factor analysis, to intracranial EEG data for applications such as the detection of seizure onset as well as resting state networks. She has also developed novel dimensionality reduction techniques to study Alzheimer’s disease using MRI data. Her current work focuses on developing new analytic tools for multimodal data to study posttraumatic epilepsy and identify biomarkers of epileptogenesis. The innovative mathematical and statistical techniques that she has developed show significant, promising contributions to visualize complex associations among multiple variables. Additionally, she has also developed and used virtual and augmented reality technology for both data visualization and interaction.

The Data Archive for the Brain Initiative (DABI) is a platform that is being developed of networked and centralized web-accessible data archives to capture, store, and curate data related to the BRAIN Initiative proposals that collect invasive human neurophysiological data and make them broadly available and accessible to the widest scientific community for furthering neuroscience research. This postdoc will work to create an informatics system to provide a data repository platform that facilitates data quality control, harmonization, aggregation, search, visualization, integrated processing, download, and training. This postdoc will prepare data de-identification tools and data quality assessments, develop data mapping tools, create user-friendly interfaces for data and support/feedback website, acquire data from participating sites, establish multi-center data review and assessment system, and use artifact removal tools. Furthermore, this postdoc will define data standards and collect common data models, test large datasets on the platform, provide spatial normalization of data and creation of subject cohorts, link previously developed analytic tools to the platform, and provide workflows to participating sites and investigators.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in informatics, bioinformatics, or a related area
• Strong research skills
• Ability to work independently
• Strong skills working with big data and databases
• Experience with multimodal data, including neuroimaging, EEG, and behavioral/clinical data
• Good communication skills
• High level of motivation
• Effective problem solving/critical thinking skills
• Expertise in programming
• Strong publication record

Minimum Education:
PhD or equivalent doctorate within previous three years

Minimum Experience:
0-1 year

Minimum Field of Expertise:
Directly related education in research specialization with advanced knowledge of equipment, procedures and analysis methods.

Minimum Experience:
- Analysis
- Assessment/evaluation
- Communication - written and oral skills
- Organization
- Planning
- Problem identification and resolution

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action 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 will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. 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 uschr@usc.edu.  Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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