The Clauss Lab at the University of Iowa is seeking a highly motivated post-baccalaureate research assistant to join a growing clinical neuroscience research program focused on early risk for psychiatric disorders. This position is ideal for recent college graduates interested in gaining intensive research and clinical experience prior to applying to PhD, MD, or MD/PhD programs.

This role is part of the University of Iowa’s Post-Baccalaureate Research Internship Program, which is designed to provide mentored research training, skill development, and preparation for graduate or professional school.

Research Focus

The lab uses a multimodal, longitudinal approach to study risk and resilience to psychiatric illness, integrating:

• Functional MRI and neuroimaging

• Clinical and behavioral phenotyping

• Sleep and digital phenotyping

• Large-scale datasets (e.g., ABCD, AMP-SCZ)

• Precision functional mapping and dense longitudinal sampling

Responsibilities

The post-baccalaureate RA will be involved in all aspects of human subjects research, including:

Clinical & Participant Interaction

• Recruit, schedule, and run participants (including youth and clinical populations)

• Conduct structured clinical interviews and behavioral assessments

• Build rapport with participants and families

Neuroimaging & Data Collection

• Assist with MRI study coordination and scanning sessions

• Ensure high-quality data acquisition and protocol adherence

Data & Analysis

• Organize and manage datasets

• Contribute to data processing and analysis (R/Python; training provided as needed)

Research Operations

• Maintain study documentation and regulatory materials

• Participate in lab meetings and present findings

• Collaborate with trainees and faculty across sites

Training & Mentorship

This position provides:

• Close mentorship from the PI and senior lab members

• Training in clinical research, neuroimaging, and data science

• Opportunities for conference presentations and authorship

• Structured support for graduate/medical school applications

Commitment: A 2-year commitment is strongly preferred, as this allows for meaningful involvement in longitudinal studies, skill development, and opportunities for authorship and independent project work. Candidates who commit to the full 2-year period will have the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility, including leading projects, contributing to manuscripts, and preparing for graduate or medical school applications.

About the University of Iowa & Iowa City

The University of Iowa is a leading research institution with a highly collaborative neuroscience and psychiatry community. Iowa City offers a vibrant, affordable, and family-friendly environment with strong quality of life.

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, biology, or related field (by start date)

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills

• Interest in clinical research and working with human participants

• Intention to pursue graduate or professional training

• Prior research experience


• Experience working with clinical or pediatric populations


• Familiarity with data analysis (R, Python, or similar)


• Interest in neuroimaging or computational methods