Available Title(s):
323L-YN_CS_NPS - Research Study Assistant

Business Title:
Sleep Research Assistant

Employee Type:
Classified (+) (Fixed Term)

Time Type:
Full time

Position Term:
12 Month

Position Details:

Summary of Duties:

The Sleep Research Assistant in the Sleep and Performance Research Center (SPRC) is responsible for conducting in-residence laboratory and field studies of sleep, sleep deprivation and performance in human research volunteers. The position involves work with human research volunteers and requires experience with complex multi-day in laboratory and field study protocols, human subject confidentiality and ethics training, professional phone and email communication, data management, laboratory safety (biosafety level 2), application of polysomnography sensors, skin conductance recording, neurobehavioral testing, and online data collection tools.

This is a project position and is expected to end one year from date of hire. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension to complete the project and/or the procurement of additional funding to extend the appointment.

This posting may be utilized to fill multiple openings in the Sleep and Performance Research Center.

Duties and Responsibilities:

50% Sleep Research Studies

• Recruit subjects and conduct extensive screening sessions, determining which subjects to select for participation.
• Assist medical practitioners with physical exams, set up exam room for physicals and sample collection.
• Process biological samples including blood, urine, stool, and saliva.
• Supervise performance testing on multiple different types of cognitive tests and multiple computer platforms, collaborating with graduate students and other staff of the SPRC.
• Operate job task simulators including high-fidelity driving simulators and deadly force judgment and decision making simulators.
• Assist in sleep and sleep deprivation studies in the laboratory: take shifts in the lab as needed, monitor the sleep and wakefulness of research volunteers, administer complex investigative neurobehavioral tests, collect data generated by electrodes and optical probes, provide support for research volunteers, implement instructions of the research protocol, provide feedback and suggestions for modification of the study to faculty, recruit and screen research volunteers.
• Collaborate with and assist as needed graduate students and other laboratory staff with laboratory, simulator-based and field research

25% Research Development

• Set up specialized measurement tools (face- and eye-tracking technology, Holter monitors, non-touch sleep scoring devices, wrist actigraphs, performance test computers) for data collection and transfer, manage the data collection process.
• Process actigraph records, manage integrity of data in the sleep/wake database.
• Perform EEG and heart rate electrode hook-ups, perform biocalibrations, start up and monitor polysomnographic recordings.
• Perform all aspects of laboratory set-up for complex, long-duration (lab runs a 24/7 operation for 4-12 days at a time) experiments. Required shifts may include weekend and/or overnight hours.

20% Data Management

• Perform computer input and analysis of data collected. Analyze, interpret and present results of research.
• Conduct literature reviews, data reduction, analysis, and reporting; work with scientific personnel to support the preparation of journal articles, interim and final reports, and grant proposals; present results in the form of an abstract, poster, oral presentation, paper, or book chapter.
• Assist with duties related to research studies to include maintaining files, electronic and paper, requesting articles, answering phones, and assisting visitors, volunteers and study participants.
• Attend and present results at meetings and seminars.

5% Other

• Complete other related duties as assigned by laboratory faculty

Required Qualifications:

Two years of college level course work in a relevant academic area AND one year of appropriate experience OR equivalent education/experience.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends, in alignment with notification requirements.
• Experimental and analytical skills; understanding and knowledge of research theory; interviewing experience; excellent organizational and project management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree in relevant field of study.
• Two years experience in relevant research field of study.

Additional Information:

Area/College: Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
Department Name: Sleep and Performance Research Center
City, State, Zip: Spokane, WA

Department Link: https://labs.wsu.edu/sprc/

Monthly Salary: Range 33 $2,764 to $3,650 A-M | Successful candidates typically begin at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28. Step M is typically a longevity step.

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes: paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.

For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for classified staff visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Benefit-Overview-for-Civil-Service.pdf. Find total compensation here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/.

Overtime Eligibility: Eligible
FTE: 1.0 FTE
Permanent/Temporary/Project: Project
Temporary End Date: This is a project position expected to end one year after start date. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.

Screening and Posting Close Date: The screening of applications will begin May 12, 2023. Applicants must submit their completed application by May 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m (close date).

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Application Instructions:

Applicants must upload the following documents to their online application.

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

External candidates, please upload all documents in the "Resume/CV" section of your application. Internal candidates, please upload all documents in the "Resume/Cover Letter" section of your application.

Documents may be submitted in one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

Applicants will be requested to provide contact information for professional references within the online application.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

To apply, visit https://wsu.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WSU_Jobs/job/Spokane-WA/Sleep-Research-Assistant_R-9485-1

Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Educator and Employer.

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