Position Information
Job Title Research Laboratory AssistantDepartment Physical Therapy Position Number 946413 Requisition Number 063486 Position Type Other Personnel Services Regular Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Time-limited through Hours 40 hours per week Hourly Rate $18-$22 Negotiable Job Summary/Responsibilities
FUNCTION /JOB OVERVIEW:
Basic duties include (1) calibration, synchronization, and operation of biomechanical equipment for human movement analysis in the Hicks Hall Research Laboratory; (2) utilization and maintenance of computers, software, and other equipment used in the research laboratory; and (3) participation in day-to-day problem solving associated with hardware and software applications used in the research lab.
Job function includes collecting, processing, managing, and archiving data for research studies in the Hicks Hall Physical Therapy Research Laboratory as well as assisting with preliminary analysis of biomechanical data. The Biomechanics Research Laboratory Assistant will be responsible for the technical execution and quality of all biomechanical equipment, data collection and analysis procedures. In addition, job function includes the contribution to the training of student volunteers and research assistants.
Work will be performed in an ethical and legal manner following organizational policies, processes, protocols and procedures. The delivery of quality service includes upholding the mission and values of the Brooks College of Health and the University of North Florida
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
BASIC INFORMATION
A. Data collection including calibration of biomechanical equipment, operating software systems, and technical trouble shooting during data collection for research studies.
B. Exercise judgment within each data collection session to ensure that the potential risks to the participant are weighed with respect to the study demands.
C. Maintain confidentiality of all human subjects research data and treat all research participants in accordance with guidelines for the protection of human subjects in research.
D. Biomechanical data processing and assistance with data set management and entry into appropriate databases.
E. Analyze data to screen for validity and reliability of recorded information.
F. Transfer data to storage systems and ensure back-up of all data on a weekly basis.
DISTRIBUTION OF WEEKLY HOURS
- Project management to include data collection, student training, data storage, etc.: 10 hrs
- Writing and running data programming codes: 10 hrs
- Data Processing and Management: 15 hrs
- Equipment/software troubleshooting and maintenance: 5 hrs
Total: 40 hrs
COMMUNICATION
A. Communicate effectively and courteously with research personnel, study participants and families.
B. Train student research assistants to efficiently and effectively set-up the laboratory for data collection, apply equipment to patients/subjects according to established guidelines, accurately record and screen data, process data, and generate reports.
C. Perform other functions within Hicks Hall Physical Therapy Research Laboratory as assigned by Principal Investigators to achieve the goals of research studies.
DAILY TASKS
A. Operate desktop computers and laptops, printer, photocopy machine, and other equipment to perform duties to meet the goals and objectives of Hicks Hall Physical Therapy Research Laboratory studies.
B. Maintain a safe environment for students, study participants and families within Hicks Hall Physical Therapy Research Laboratory.
C. Handle and operate all necessary research and other equipment and performs required duties according to established safety standards to maintain compliance with regulations and prevention of injuries.
D. Participate in problem solving when needed to optimize the effectiveness of biomechanical hardware and software applications used in the Hicks Hall Physical Therapy Research Laboratory.
E. Maintain CITI training compliance.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
A. Primarily seated work with occasional lifting/pulling/pushing up to 20 pounds. Must tolerate frequent standing with sustained periods of up to 1 hour on tile and carpet surfaces. Must tolerate frequent sitting with sustained periods of up to 1 hour.
B. Moderate involvement in reaching with both arms at low, waist, and high levels. Occasional requirements grasping of both hands for helping research participants transfer and for movement equipment in the laboratory requiring normal grip strength based on national averages. Occasional stooping, bending, and twisting are required for research studies.
C. Constant near visual acuity to evaluate and monitor research participants. Ordinary hearing and speaking skills.
D. Primarily inside work. May be minimal outside work for data collection or to access other departments.
E. Interact with research study participants and families, faculty, research assistants, and students in the Lab during data collection.
Required Qualifications
Experience with equipment used for human subject biomechanical research data collections, such as kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic systems. Expertise in conducting biomechanical data collection and motion analysis is required. Must be skilled with software operations for data entry and for data collection, processing, analysis, and research data storage. Must be detail- oriented and have strong problem-solving skills for preventing and resolving hardware and software compatibility issues; excellent analytical skills for screening data; excellent hands-on skills with an in-depth understanding of anatomy for correctly applying kinematic markers over bony landmarks and electromyographic sensors over muscles; and excellent interpersonal skills for interacting with research participants, faculty, students, and other researchers. Bachelor's educational degree in a field related to health sciences (e.g., Physical Therapy), biomechanics, or biomedical engineering.
Preferred Qualifications
A. Experience working with motion capture system hardware and software (e.g., Vicon, Qualisys), force plates (e.g., Bertec, AMTI), and electromyography systems (e.g., Delsys, Noraxon).
B. Experience with clinical, human subject biomechanical assessments, data collection and analysis, and report of biomechanical data.
C. Experience working with patient populations.
D. Experience with validation and verification of biomechanical hardware systems.
E. Thesis Master's Degree or higher in health sciences (e.g., Physical Therapy).
Statement(s) of Understanding Background Check, Responsible Employee Statement(s) of Understanding Definition
This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University's policy, this position may also require a credit check.
The holder of this position is designated as a “Responsible Employee” pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University's Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator.
Equal Opportunity
In 2020, the University of North Florida (UNF) received the prestigious INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only application-based national award for U.S. colleges and universities that exhibit an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion across their campuses. In addition, UNF ranked highest among the HEED institutions and was recognized as a 2020 Diversity Champion.
The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The University of North Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not commit or permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of genetic information, race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or veteran status in any educational, employment, social, recreational program or activity that it offers. In addition, UNF will not commit or permit retaliation against an individual who reports discrimination or harassment or an individual who cooperates in an investigation of an alleged violation of university regulation.
Carnegie
UNF is a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. This designation celebrates the University's collaboration with community partners from the local to the global level. It reflects UNF's mission to contribute to the public good and prepare educated, engaged citizens.
Faculty Initiatives
The University of North Florida promotes the quality and effectiveness of education and strives to maintain the highest standards of academic excellence in all phases of instruction, research/scholarship/creative activity, and service.
Posting Detail Information
Anticipated Start DateJob Posting Date 05/15/2023 Application Review Date Application Deadline Open Until Filled Yes Point of Contact Information Paige, Stephanie (904)620-2248 Hiring Official Pinkstaff, Sherry Location if not Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL Special Instructions
This posting is reserved for Ligia Mochida, [email protected].
Quicklink https: // www. unfjobs.org/postings/23681
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