Are you interested in understanding how the brain processes language and how neurological conditions affect communication?
Join the ALBA Lab!
Postdoctoral Fellow - Language, Cognition & Neuroimaging
APPLY: Please send a cover letter describing interests and relevant prior experience, a CV, and 3 names of potential references to [email protected] and [email protected]
Job Summary
The selected candidate will participate in projects that focus on establishing MRI protocols with cutting-edge methodologies and applying advanced neuroimaging techniques, such as structural and functional MRI, tractography, graph theory analysis, and machine learning algorithms to a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases, such as primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) as well as neurodevelopmental conditions, such as dyslexia and dyscalculia. The candidate will have the opportunity to be involved in a translational research project, work closely with the current members of the team, and contribute to our empirical efforts to further our understanding of the neurobiology of language.
Required Qualifications
• Ph.D. in a related science area such as neurology, radiology, cognitive neuroscience, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline
Previous work experience with MRI data collection and analysis
• Familiarity with existing neuroimaging tools such as SPM, Freesurfer, AFNI, FSL
• Familiarity with at least one programming or scripting languages such as Matlab, Python, and R.
• Strong writing skills demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-based environment
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity and experience with any of the following will be a plus: connectomics, diffusion-weighted MRI, tractography, functional MRI, MRI data harmonization, machine/deep learning, graph theory, dementia studies, and mathematical modeling.
Senior Software Engineer
Job Summary
Applies skills as a seasoned, experienced software professional with a full understanding of industry practices, community standards and relevant policies and procedures to medium-sized projects or portions of large projects with moderate scope and complexity. Resolves a wide range of issues. Demonstrates competency in selecting tools, methods and techniques to obtain results.
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
The salary range for this position is $94,000 - $151,300 (Annual Rate).
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
Department Description
The UCSF Dyslexia Center is developing a new digital tool, Multitudes. Free for all California public schools, this platform aids in the early identification of Kindergarten and First Grade students who may face challenges learning to read. Early identification can lead to early intervention. With the right support, more California students can learn to read with greater ease, leading to more equitable educational and health outcomes. Multitudes is led by the part of the Dyslexia Center located in the ALBA Language Neurobiology lab.
The ALBA Language Neurobiology laboratory in the UCSF Neurology Department’s Memory and Aging Center is directed by Dr. Maria Luisa Gorno Tempini. We study how language is organized into brain networks across the lifespan. Our group research how language skills and brain regions are impacted by neurological conditions and how they reorganize in response. Our multidisciplinary team correlates behavioral research with multimodal neuroimaging techniques to understand the neural underpinning of higher cognitive functions such as speech, language, and memory. We research two syndromes:
Primary Progressive Aphasia and Dyslexia.
Dr. Gorno Tempini is also co-director of the UCSF Dyslexia Center and the UCSF|UC Berkeley Schwab Center for Dyslexia and Cognitive Diversity. These centers aim to eliminate the debilitating effects of developmental dyslexia while supporting the relative strengths of each individual. We develop best practice protocols to assess and diagnose children with dyslexia and other learning differences through a multimodal cognitive and neuroimaging program. We work closely with schools and educators to develop early interventions and educational strategies to help children with dyslexia thrive.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
- Minimum 3+ years of related experience
- Intermediate knowledge of secure software development.
- Advanced skills associated with software design, modification, implementation and deployment, including object-oriented programming concepts.
- Demonstrated ability to understand functional needs and how systems can support those needs.
- Demonstrated ability to develop conversion and system implementation plans.
- Demonstrated ability to interface with management on a regular basis.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute technical narrative to grant proposals.
- Thorough experience with identification and use of code libraries and open-source forums.
- Experience with planning for deployment and creation of feedback mechanisms.
- Demonstrated software repository skills.
- Demonstrated testing and test planning skills.
- Thorough experience with common programming tools.
- Demonstrated ability to follow software specifications.
- Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information to technical and non-technical personnel at various levels in the organization.
- Self-motivated and works independently and as part of a team.
- Able to learn effectively and meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated broad problem solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experiencing developing with Svelte, Typescript, and GraphQL.
Clinical Research Coordinator
apply
Job Summary
In the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, the ALBA Language Neurobiology laboratory is directed by Dr. Maria Luisa Gorno Tempini and the Tee Lab is led by Dr. Boon Lead Tee. The ALBA lab study how language is organized into brain networks across the lifespan. ALBA group research how language skills and brain regions are impacted by neurological conditions and how they reorganize in response. The Tee Lab focuses on scientific research that encourage equal representation from diverse populations worldwide in cognitive and dementia research, which would greatly enhance our neuroscientific understanding to brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The Tee Lab aims to address current calls for culturally and linguistically appropriate cognitive assessment tests, stimulate the development of novel tests for syndromic differentiation in different languages, and enhance our understanding to various neural mechanism by promoting language diversity in cognitive research. The Tee lab has collaboration with scientists and researchers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea, India and Turkey, aiming to delineate the neural mechanism of bilingualism and dementia syndromes through cross-linguistic perspectives, promote language diversity in cognitive research and offer equitable care for speakers of different languages. This position will be a joint position between the ALBA and Tee lab.
Under the supervision of Principal Investigators (PIs), the incumbent will perform entry-level duties related to the support and coordination of clinical studies of participants with language difficulties enrolled within the UCSF Memory and Aging Center and may receive training and development to prepare and advance for journey-level work at the next level within the series.
May be responsible for the coordination of one or more single or multi-site, active or follow-up trials; help prepare protocols for study initiation; help design flow sheets, data forms and source documents; may apply understanding of inclusion/exclusion eligibility criteria for protocols; help recruit, enroll, register, schedule and retain study subjects; record protocol specific treatments and assure collection and shipment of samples; assist research personnel to keep patients on study schedules; complete study forms to submit to sponsors and/or appropriate agencies; collect, enter and clean data into study databases, maintaining data quality; assist with data analysis; assist with preparation of reports and tables; attend team meetings; and perform other duties as assigned.
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
The salary range for this position is $34.32 - $55.19 (Hourly Rate).
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
Department Description
The Memory and Aging Center (MAC) is a clinical research unit within the UCSF Department of Neurology that investigates the clinical (neurological, cognitive, behavioral, neuroanatomic) characteristics of various neurodegenerative diseases. The Primary Investigator’s (PI) research within the MAC focuses on the decision-making processes in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Alzheimer's Disease (AD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Required Qualifications
- HS graduation and sufficient experience and demonstrated skills to successfully perform the assigned duties and responsibilities or equivalent combination of experience/training .
- Proficiency in Mandarin/Cantonese and English. This position will specifically reach out to Asian population in the Bay Area; therefore, a bilingual and bicultural candidate is required.
- Attention to detail; strong interpersonal skills; excellent, effective verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with subjects, team members, other departments, and outside institutions; and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment while working with a diverse subject population; Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with patients, co-workers, & physicians.
- Ability to work well independently, complete projects in a timely manner, and prioritize multiple projects to ensure the completion of essential tasks by deadlines.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with patients, co-workers, & physicians.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in relevant fields, and one or more years of recent, directly related work experience following degree completion, utilizing the techniques or methods required by the position; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience in REDCap, Qualtrics, or other research software for data management; and experience in data management and data entry.
- Experience working with patients or study subjects.
- Experience performing community outreach with Asian population.
- Bilingual (Mandarin-English) Medical Interpreter Certification.
- Understanding of patient population to create rapport and a relationship, while also giving insight to what is realistic and appropriate for patient participation.
- Preparation of reports and PowerPoints and compilation of data for presentation at meetings
- Experience with electronic medical records.
- Knowledge of UCSF and departmental policies for dealing with reimbursement, guidelines for research, confidentiality and HIPPA regulations, following the UCSF mission statement and purpose for research, and a clear understanding of policies and procedures on patient safety and confidentiality (electronic and hard copy medical records, patient charts, communication, etc.); knowledge of medical terminology, research policies and guidelines, guidelines for packing/shipping infectious substances, database building/analysis, and data management within some of the following: Access, Stata, SASS/ SPSS, and Teleform programming platforms.
- Fluency in the usage of Committee of Human Research (CHR) online iMEDris system for submission, renewal, and modification of protocols through this system.
- Knowledge or experience with basic clinical research techniques and methods, such as subject screening, consenting, and privacy practices (including CITI or similar certification); and knowledge of IRB procedures including study applications, renewals, and modifications
- Experience applying the following regulations and guidelines:
- Good Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Health Information and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
- The Protection of Human Research Subjects
- CHR regulations for recruitment and consent of research subjects
- Effective Cash Handling Procedures
- Environmental Health and Safety Training
- Fire Safety Training
Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator - Frontotemporal Dementia Program Project Grant
Job Summary
Title: Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator (Assistant CRC).
Project Titles: Frontotemporal Dementia Program Project Grant
Under the supervision of a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) or Principal Investigator (PI), the Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator will perform entry-level duties related to the support and coordination of the Frontotemporal dementia Program Project Grant; coordinate the data collection and operations of concurrent clinical research studies under the guidelines of research protocols, UCSF and regulating agency policies; administer consent forms and standardized test protocols under supervision by a CRC or PI. Any questions that arise during these clinical research visits that go beyond standardized protocol will be escalated to a CRC, Technical Project Manager, or PI.
May help design flow sheets, data forms and source documents; may apply understanding of inclusion/exclusion eligibility criteria for protocols; help recruit, enroll, register, schedule and retain study subjects; assist research personnel to keep patients on study schedules; collect, enter and clean data into study databases, maintaining data quality; assist with data analysis; assist with preparation of reports and tables; attend team meetings; and perform other duties as assigned.
Frontotemporal Dementia: Genes, Images and Emotions: The purpose of this program project grant is to help understand the clinical, genetic, imaging, emotional and diagnostic features of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The study collects longitudinal clinical, imaging, behavioral and autopsy data to be analyzed with the goal of improving diagnosis and clinical care for patients with FTD. This project coordinates with multiple sub-projects at the Memory and Aging Center.
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
The salary range for this position is $28.48 - $45.80 (Hourly Rate).
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
Department Description
The UCSF Memory and Aging Center is an NIA-designated Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) working to translate research science into improved diagnosis and care for people with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases, as well as to find a treatment or prevention. The Clinical Research Coordinator will be working on the Frontotemporal Dementia: Genes, Images, and Emotions study led by Drs. Maria Luisa Gorno Tempini, Bill Seeley, and Howie Rosen. The purpose of this study is to help understand the clinical, genetic, imaging, emotional and diagnostic features of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The study collects longitudinal clinical, imaging, behavioral and autopsy data to be analyzed with the goal of improving clinical care for patients with FTD.
Required Qualifications
- HS graduation and sufficient experience and demonstrated skills to successfully perform the assigned duties and responsibilities; and/or equivalent experience/training.
- Excellent verbal and written communications and presentation skills; excellent organizational skills; and excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively in a diverse team.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Windows/Mac
- database management skills (Excel/Access)
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-based environment; project management and coordination skills; ability to prioritize tasks and meet multiple deadlines on concurrent projects.
- Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with patients, co-workers, & physicians.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated proficiency with medical terminology.
- Experience working with patients or study subjects.
- Demonstrated ability to abstract data from medical records and transfer it to data collection forms or directly into databases
- Working knowledge of basic statistics.
- Interest and/or working knowledge of neuroanatomy & cognitive test administration skills.
- Familiarity with HIPAA and CHR / IRB.
Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator
Job Summary
The Alba Language Neurobiology laboratory at UCSF is directed by Dr. Maria Luisa Gorno Tempini who is also the director of the UCSF Dyslexia Center and the co-director of the UCSF|UC Berkeley Schwab Center for Dyslexia and Cognitive Diversity. The Alba Lab resides within the UCSF Neurology Department division known as the Memory and Aging Center (MAC), Directed by Dr. Bruce Miller. The Alba team consists of clinicians, scientists, and engineers with expertise in behavioral neurology, cognitive neuroscience, speech-language pathology, neurodevelopment and advanced neuroimaging techniques. We study how language is organized into brain networks across the lifespan including primary progressive aphasia (PPA) which is a focus of the Alba lab. We also study other aspects of the brain, including adult and child dyslexia in our Dyslexia Center. We strive to mitigate the debilitating effects of developmental dyslexia while supporting the relative strengths of each individual. In the Dyslexia Center, we develop best practice protocols to assess and diagnose children and adults with dyslexia through a multidisciplinary and wholistic approach. Uniquely, we work closely with schools and educators to develop early interventions and educational strategies to help children with dyslexia thrive.
Under the supervision of a Clinical Research Supervisor or Principal Investigator (PI), the aCRC will perform entry- level duties related to the support and coordination of clinical studies of participants with language difficulties and dyslexia enrolled within the UCSF Memory and Aging Center and may receive training and development to prepare and advance for journey-level work at the next level within the series.
May be responsible for the coordination of one or more single or multi-site, active or follow-up trials; help prepare protocols for study initiation; help design flow sheets, data forms and source documents; may apply understanding of inclusion/exclusion eligibility criteria for protocols; help recruit, enroll, register, schedule and retain study subjects; record protocol specific treatments and assure collection and shipment of samples; assist research personnel to keep patients on study schedules; complete study forms to submit to sponsors and/or appropriate agencies; collect, enter and clean data into study databases, maintaining data quality; assist with data analysis; assist with preparation of reports and tables; attend team meetings; and perform other duties as assigned. This is a full time/in-person position.
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
The salary range for this position is $28.48 - $45.80 (Hourly Rate).
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
Department Description
The Memory and Aging Center (MAC) is a clinical research unit within the UCSF Department of Neurology that investigates the clinical (neurological, cognitive, behavioral, neuroanatomic) characteristics of various neurodegenerative diseases. The Primary Investigator’s (PI) research within the MAC focuses on the decision-making processes in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Alzheimer's Disease (AD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Required Qualifications
- HS graduation and sufficient experience and demonstrated skills to successfully perform the assigned duties and responsibilities; and/or equivalent experience/training.
- Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communications and presentation skills; excellent organizational skills; and excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively in a diverse team.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Windows.
- Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-based environment; project management and coordination skills; ability to prioritize tasks and meet multiple deadlines on concurrent projects.
- Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with patients, co-workers, & physicians.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bilingual English and Spanish
- Demonstrated proficiency with RedCAP, Qualtrics, or other research software
- Experience working with study subjects or other people ages 50 through 80
- Experience working with data collection forms and databases
Client Success Team - Multitudes
Job Summary
**This is a contracted position and will end 6-months from the date of hire
The Community Education Specialist I will provide entry-level support to public school districts interested in adopting and implementing Multitudes, a state-approved screening tool for early literacy and dyslexia. This role is focused on outreach, customer service, and ensuring smooth onboarding for districts across California.
Respond to inquiries from public school districts regarding Multitudes, providing timely and accurate information. Assist with onboarding processes, including guiding districts through registration and setup. Maintain records of communication and follow-ups in the customer relationship management (CRM) system (e.g., ZenDesk Sell). Provide basic technical support and troubleshooting for district representatives using the Multitudes platform. Participate in vendor fairs and community events, representing Multitudes and UCSF Dyslexia Center. Distribute program materials, including FAQs, handouts, and training schedules, to district staff. Coordinate with the outreach team to track leads and ensure timely follow-up. Contribute to maintaining a positive relationship between Multitudes and its partner districts.
The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.
Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
The salary range for this position is $45,500 - $90,500 (Annual Rate).
To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html
Department Description
The UCSF Dyslexia Center is developing a new digital tool, Multitudes. Free for all California public schools, this platform aids in the early identification of Kindergarten and First Grade students who may face challenges learning to read. Early identification can lead to early intervention. With the right support, more California students can learn to read with greater ease, leading to more equitable educational and health outcomes. Multitudes is led by the part of the Dyslexia Center located in the ALBA Language Neurobiology lab.
The ALBA Language Neurobiology laboratory in the UCSF Neurology Department’s Memory and Aging Center is directed by Dr. Maria Luisa Gorno Tempini. We study how language is organized into brain networks across the lifespan. Our group researches how language skills and brain regions are impacted by neurological conditions and how they reorganize in response. Our multidisciplinary team correlates behavioral research with multimodal neuroimaging techniques to understand the neural underpinning of higher cognitive functions such as speech, language, and memory. In particular, we research two syndromes: Primary Progressive Aphasia and Dyslexia.
Dr. Gorno Tempini is also co-director of the UCSF Dyslexia Center and the UCSF|UC Berkeley Schwab Center for Dyslexia and Cognitive Diversity. These centers aim to eliminate the debilitating effects of developmental dyslexia while supporting the relative strengths of each individual. We develop best practice protocols to assess and diagnose children with dyslexia and other learning differences through a multimodal cognitive and neuroimaging program. We work closely with schools and educators to develop early interventions and educational strategies to help children with dyslexia thrive.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 1+ years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge or experience in program content and objectives. Knowledge of how to deliver educational programs in a variety of settings.
- Organizational skills to develop a project plan, monitor plans against established deadlines, and review and analyze results.
- Strong reading, verbal, written communications and presentation skills to interact with individuals from diverse background
- Ability to maintain positive interactions with others and work cooperatively.
- Experience using business software systems in the completion of work assignments; i.e., Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint (e.g. Smartsheet, ZenDesk)
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
Postdoctoral Fellow - Automated Speech & Language Analyses in Dementia
Job Summary
The ALBA Language Neurobiology laboratory (https://albalab.ucsf.edu/) of the UCSF Memory and Aging Center has an open postdoctoral position to work with Dr. Jet Vonk and Dr. Maria Luisa Gorno-Tempini. The selected candidate will participate in projects that focus on automated speech and language analyses in a range of neurological diseases and conditions, including primary progressive aphasia (PPA), behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, and Alzheimer's disease, as well as cognitively normal individuals. The candidate will be involved in evaluating the diagnostic and prognostic utility of acoustic and linguistics features in connected speech across dementia syndromes, and validate these features against standard clinical measures, including cognitive tests. The candidate will have the opportunity to be involved in a translational research project and work closely with the current members of the team, and contribute to our empirical efforts to further our understanding of the neurobiology of language.
Required qualifications
- PhD in a related science area such as linguistics, speech-language-hearing sciences, psychology, neuropsychology, neurology, neuroscience, cognitive science, epidemiology, biostatistics, data science, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline.
- Previous work experience with Natural Language Processing (NLP), statistics, and big data analytics, including machine learning.
- Familiarity with cognitive data and dementia research.
- Familiarity with at least one programming or scripting language such as Python, Matlab, R, or C/C++.
Preferred qualifications
- Familiarity and experience with MRI analyses and structural equation modeling will be a plus.
- Strong writing skills demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-based environment.
How to Apply
- Please send a cover letter describing your interests and relevant prior experience, a CV, and 3 names of potential references to [email protected]
- Applicants from historically excluded, marginalized & underrepresented groups in cognitive research are especially encouraged to apply