Posting: Sleep Technician Positions – University of Oregon Sleep Lab
April 28, 2022
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Submit a cover letter, vita, and the names and contact information for three professional references to the Pro Tem Research Assistant/Associate/Postdoc Open Pool at the University of Oregon. Mention the Oregon Sleep Lab and/or Dr. Casement in your cover letter. You can also contact Dr. Casement directly at casement@uoregon.edu.
Position Summary:
The Sleep Technician will work with research investigators in the Oregon Sleep Lab (OSL) to implement overnight sleep assessments for two NIH-funded research projects. The Sleep Technician will be responsible for measurement of sleep via polysomnography (PSG), including electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain activity and additional sensors to measure respiration, body movement, eye movements, and muscle tone. The Sleep Technician will apply and remove PSG equipment during participants’ laboratory overnight assessments, monitor PSG signals overnight to ensure participant safety and data quality, and score PSG/EEG data using laboratory software. The Sleep Technician will also review PSG data with the lab director to screen participants for sleep disorders, and work closely with the project coordinator and research assistants to ensure that all sleep assessment procedures are completed in an accurate, timely, and professional manner. This position requires a flexible schedule, to include evening and overnight hours that accommodate study participants' availability as needed.
The research projects examine the impact of sleep and circadian rhythms on reward- and stress-related brain function and mental health in adolescents and young adults. The projects involve collection of information about sleep and circadian characteristics, lifetime and daily stressors, reward- and stress-related brain function, and symptoms of depression and alcohol use disorder. Methods of data collection include electroencephalography (EEG), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electrocardiography (ECG), blood pressure (BP), saliva samples for melatonin and cortisol, laboratory behavior tasks, questionnaires, and diagnostic interviews.
Preferred candidates for the position will have experience with sleep PSG, general research practices to ensure participant safety and data confidentiality, and assessment of sleep disorders. Sleep Technicians must complete and maintain appropriate safety training and certifications as needed, including bi-annual CITI Human Subjects training and Good Clinical Practice training.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Associate’s degree or at least two years of college or work experience in sleep technology, psychology, behavioral science, or a related field
- One year of experience with sleep polysomnography application and recording
- One year of experience with human subjects research
Professional Competencies:
- Proficiency with application of head electrodes and other PSG sensors, and monitoring of PSG signals during sleep to ensure data quality and assess for sleep disorders
- Demonstrated ability to work with human research participants, including attention to participant safety, comfort, privacy, and confidentiality
- Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, requiring participatory decision making and cooperative interactions among study staff
- Knowledge of basic research methods and creative problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Proficiency with sleep EEG scoring and interpretation, including standards of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)
- Experience with clinical sleep assessment (e.g., for sleep disordered breathing and sleep movement disorders)
- Experience with supervision of other personnel