Database Administrator

About the Department

The ALBA Language Neurobiology laboratory at UCSF, led by Dr. Maria Luisa Gorno Tempini, investigates how language is structured within brain networks throughout life. As part of the UCSF Memory and Aging Center, an NIA-designated Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, the lab focuses on translating scientific research into better diagnostics and care for dementia patients, especially those with Alzheimer's and related diseases. The team combines expertise from behavioral neurology, cognitive neuroscience, speech-language pathology, neurodevelopment, and advanced neuroimaging to explore the impact of neurological disorders on language and brain function and how these adapt over time. This particular Data Analyst role centers on Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a neurodegenerative condition with declining communication abilities. Using multimodal imaging, the research aims to pinpoint biomarkers that can track disease progression and symptoms longitudinally.

Job Summary

This is a contract role expiring on March 1, 2027. The Database Administrator will manage behavioral and neuroimaging databases involving cognitive decline conditions like Alzheimer's and PPA. Under the supervision of Dr. Jet Vonk, incumbents will gain proficiency in research data management and automated speech analysis within dementia research. The role involves applying professional database management concepts, resolving procedural and technical issues, and working collaboratively across the unit. Tasks include working with medium-sized databases with multiple tables, performing performance tuning with indexing and advanced SQL, ensuring database security and integrity controls, and implementing improvements to enhance system reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply database management concepts and resolve routine technical and procedural issues aligned with departmental policies.
• Engage in database projects of moderate complexity, considering various business and technical requirements while following IT practices.
• Collaborate with internal and external team members related to database use and management.
• Maintain and optimize medium-complexity databases using fundamental design and programming methods.
• Use performance tuning methods such as indexing and advanced SQL to enhance database functionality.
• Ensure database security and maintain data integrity.
• Monitor and adhere to database management policies, procedures, and standards.
• Support implementation of system enhancements aimed at improving performance and stability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• At least one year of related experience in database systems.
• Familiarity with database management systems, their standards, and capacity planning.
• Understanding of managing unstructured data (e.g., text, images) with appropriate standards and technologies.
• Strong problem-solving skills including judgment, decision-making, and identifying measures to improve system performance.
• Good written and verbal communication abilities.
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize work.
• Basic programming capabilities in bash, R, Python, or MATLAB.
• Experience with RedCap utilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent experience in relevant area.
• Basic knowledge of automated speech analysis tools such as Whisper OpenAI and spaCy.

Additional Information

The position includes a salary range from $71,994 to $154,595 annually, with placement dependent on experience and internal equity, subject to UC policies and collective bargaining rules. UCSF promotes an inclusive and diverse work environment adhering to PRIDE values including professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity, and excellence. The university is committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of personal characteristics. For more about UCSF’s total compensation and benefits, further information is available on their compensation webpage.