Job Description

Assistant Researcher - Coordinator of Cognitive Training and Exercise UCLA Aftercare Research Program
University of California Los Angeles

Requisition Number: JPF09717

This Assistant Research Psychologist will assist Keith Nuechterlein, PhD, the Principal Investigator (PI) and the Director of the UCLA Aftercare Research Program, an outpatient program for recent-onset psychosis located in the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and the Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior. The Aftercare Program is a clinical and research program funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Department of Psychiatry to conduct research with young patients in the early phase of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. This position is 75% time. The psychologist in this position will assist the PI in conducting clinical research that focuses on the effects of cognitive training and the enhancing impact of aerobic exercise. More broadly, the research of the Aftercare Program seeks to improve cognitive functioning and promote better daily functioning of individuals recovering from a first psychotic episode. The psychologist will perform clinically related activities such as teaching clinical psychology graduate students to be cognitive coaches, coordinating the weekly cognitive training sessions, and evaluating progress of participants within the cognitive training and exercise programs. The psychologist will also supervise the data collection and data file management of research measures that assess motivation and engagement in cognitive training and aerobic exercise and improvement in cognition and everyday functioning. The psychologist will be a member of the interdisciplinary clinical team of case managers, cognitive and exercise coaches, individual therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, who together provide treatment services and conduct clinical research with young patients and their families within the Aftercare Program.

Specific Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with UCLA faculty, they will conduct mental health, experimental In collaboration with UCLA Aftercare Program staff and the clinical psychology practicum students and interns, the psychologist in this position will organize and co-facilitate a weekly supervision meeting attended by cognitive and exercise coaches who are providing clinical intervention to the Aftercare patients. The psychologist co-facilitates this weekly one-hour meeting in collaboration with the lead aerobic exercise trainer and sets the agenda used to review the weekly group cognitive training and aerobic exercise intervention and to track attendance data and patient progress in the program.
  
• The psychologist, in collaboration with the practicum students and interns, organizes and facilitates the computer based cognitive training programs aimed at improving the patient's cognitive skills such as attention, memory, and reasoning and problem solving. The cognitive training also includes programs focused on social cognitive skills and abilities.
  
• The psychologist co-facilitates two weekly Bridging Groups with practicum and intern trainees. He/she trains practicum and intern trainees as Bridging Group co-facilitators and helps to supervise their clinical experience in conducting these weekly bridging groups. The primary aim of the Bridging Groups is to assist the Aftercare patients in transferring the cognitive skills and abilities learned in the computerized cognitive training to everyday work/school and social situations.

• The psychologist works in collaboration with the lead exercise instructor to teach practicum and intern trainees in administration of measures of motivation and of physical activity using questionnaires and to record cognitive training progress scores and change in exercise activity over the course of treatment.
  
• The psychologist trains and supervises students, in collaboration with other research staff, in the use of an automated text-messaging program and a moderated on-line social therapy program for patients that is aimed at increasing patient motivation for treatment engagement and particularly for regular exercise sessions.
  
• In collaboration with other Aftercare faculty members, the psychologist screens and interviews applicants for the clinical psychology practicum program at the Aftercare Program. The psychologist will also participate in the final selection of practicum trainees on an annual basis.
  Candidates must possess a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in clinical or counseling psychology and qualify for an assistant-level project scientist appointment at UCLA. A record of publication and ability to oversee components of a clinical research project are required. Evidence of clinical skills and postdoctoral training will be considered as added qualifications.
  Salary will be consistent with the UCLA Researcher Series. The posted UC salary scales () set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 13-B. The salary range for this position is $90,200 - $106,600 annually.
  Interested applicants must submit: i) a cover letter outlining academic interests and a brief statement about contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion*; ii) curriculum vitae with bibliography; and iii) contact information for three potential references to the application portal at .
  For more information, please contact Fe Asuan, at FAsuan@mednet.ucla.edu .
  (*Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Please see the following page for more details:
  Cultural North Star. The shared values of the DGSOM are expressed in the Cultural North Star, which was developed by members of our community and affirms our unswerving commitment to doing what's right, making things better, and being kind. These are the standards to which we hold ourselves, and one another. Please read more about this important DGSOM program at
  To apply, please visit:
  The University of California 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, disability, age or protected veteran status. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy, see: UC Nondiscrimination & Affirmative Action Policy,
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  About University of California Los Angeles

  UCLA is known worldwide for the breadth and quality of its academic, research, health care, cultural, continuing education and athletic programs. UCLA offers undergraduate degrees in more than 127 majors and graduate degrees in 198 program areas. UCLA has 11 highly regarded professional schools. Eight are ranked among the nation's top 15 in their field by U.S. News & World Report. UCLA is consistently among the most popular campus in the nation for undergraduate applicants. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. Benefits:UCLA offers a comprehensive benefits package, including an average of three weeks' vacation per year; an average of 12 days per year sick leave; 13 paid holidays per year; health, dental and optical benefits; life insurance; disability insurance; the University of California Retirement Plan with 5 year vesting and various voluntary UC Savings Plans. There are also special programs and privileges available, such as accessibility to cultural and recreational programs, athletic events, and the University Credit Union.

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