The Psychophysiology Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience (PLAN) in the University of Tulsa’s Department of Psychology is accepting applications for a full-time research associate/research coordinator. The position will assist with a 5-year NIH/NCCIH grant funded study that started summer 2022. The position is available for the for the life of the grant (up to 5 years), pending funding renewal by NIH and successful performance by the candidate. The project investigates the role of structural racism and discrimination (SRD), and other stress-related mechanisms, in the Native American (NA) chronic pain inequity. The project will also investigate NA pain resiliency factors that moderate pain risk pathways.
The RA/RC will work closely with the PI (Dr. Jamie Rhudy), Co-I’s (Drs. Joanna Shadlow-Osage and Travis Lowe), and graduate and undergraduate student researchers. The RA/RC will be involved with all aspects of the study, including participant recruitment, screening, and scheduling pain and stress assessments; data management and processing; maintenance of compliance records (e.g., annual IRB reports, NIH recruitment reports); and other duties as assigned. There will be ample opportunities for authorship/co-authorship on presentations and publications. As part of the job, the RA/RC will receive advanced training in psychophysiological assessment of stress and pain (e.g., EEG, EMG, EKG, respiration, skin conductance), quantitative sensory testing (e.g., temporal summation, conditioned pain modulation, contact heat evoked potentials), as well as blood (HbA1c, hs-CRP, lipids) and salivary (cortisol) biomarkers. Human participant assessment will be conducted on the campus of the University of Tulsa; however, some travel to surrounding tribal nations and Indian Health Service sites to aid in recruitment will be expected. The project is approved by the University of Tulsa, Cherokee Nation, and Indian Health Service-Oklahoma City area office IRBs.
Applicants should have a bachelors or masters degree in psychology, neuroscience, or a related field; strong written and oral communication skills; cultural awareness and humility; and an interest in health disparities. Experience in pain research and/or psychophysiology is not necessary, but desired. Reliable transportation and ability to travel is required. Applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those with knowledge of Native American culture, are strongly encouraged to apply. To apply, please visit the HR website.