Lab Manager

Department

SSD:
Psychology:
Staff and Temporary Employees-Woodward Lab

In the Woodward Lab, we study social cognition and social learning in infants and young children. Current projects investigate the origins of social categories and social bias, infants' understanding of moral and conventional behavior, and the ways in which infants' experiences in social environments (families, neighborhoods) relate to their social cognitive development.

The Lab Manager will be responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of the Infant Learning & Development Lab. This position requires a very organized individual with excellent leadership, time management, and communication skills. They must be comfortable budgeting and working with grant funds. The hired individual will work closely with the lab PI, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students, and supervise research assistants.

Essential duties include technical support activities related to scientific research projects, ensuring compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, assisting in drafting presentations on research findings, and assisting in data analysis.

• Oversee communication with interested families and schedule study participants for both in-lab and online studies; interact with families and children in-lab or via Zoom, conduct informed consent and debriefing procedures, and maintain the laboratory’s established human subject, hygiene and safety procedures.
• Handle all Institutional Review Board business, including creating and amending protocols and submitting continuing reviews.
• Manage all lab funds, including participant payments; order lab supplies; coordinate weekly lab meetings; make travel arrangements for lab members; and complete other managerial or administrative tasks as needed.
• Hire and supervise undergraduate and MAPSS research assistants, approve and submit payroll for lab employees, and handle all lab related issues to ensure smooth functioning of the lab and sufficient coverage for study needs.
• Assist with grant management, including applications, submission of annual reports, subaward payouts, and preparation of budgets.
• Provide technical and administrative support for the Laboratory’s research projects.
• Collect and enter data; assist in analyzing data; assist with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• Perform other related work as needed.

• Education:
  
  Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four‑year degree).
• Work Experience:
  
  Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2‑5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Certifications:
  
  —

Bachelor’s degree.

• Experience in psychological or developmental research preferred.
• Recent college graduates with RA experience encouraged to apply.
• Experience working with infants and children.
• Experience working with research grants and IRB’s.
• Experience working with budgets and supervising RA’s.

• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Exceptional problem‑solving, organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team comprised of research assistants, post‑docs, graduate students, administrators, and faculty.
• Strong Microsoft Office & Google Drive skills and ability to troubleshoot technology related problems.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Contact information for three (3) professional references (required)

The University of Chicago uses AI‑assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

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