Research Assistant

Overview

Research Assistant (9613C) - 84298

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty and staff. We are seeking applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice.

We encourage alignment with UC Berkeley’s guiding values, principles of community, and strategic plan.

At UC Berkeley, learning is a fundamental part of working, and we provide space for supportive colleague communities via employee resource groups. Our goal is for everyone on campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We offer professional development opportunities for full-time staff employees (at least 80 hours per year).

Responsible for assisting the Principal Investigator (a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist) and other researchers in the lab with behavioral, clinical, and neuroimaging studies that examine mechanisms underlying human emotion, motivation, and psychopathology—with a focus on substance use and eating behaviors, including mechanisms underlying treatment for psychopathology.

• Under the direction of the PI and other researchers in the lab: development, preparation, and execution of research studies in accordance with IRB protocols.
• Develop experimental materials (including stimulus generation and programming of tasks for lab and web-based studies).
• Recruit, schedule, and test participants in behavioral, fMRI, and other studies.
• Complete follow-up data collection.
• Perform transfer, backup, and quality assurance on data, as necessary.
• Preprocess and help to analyze data using Matlab, Python, and other analysis packages.
• Help develop and modify written protocols and best-practices documents based on discussions with the PI/post-docs surrounding ongoing experiments.
• Collaborate with other labs and universities working on joint projects.
• Assist with training, hiring, and coordination of lab personnel, including:
  • Train and support lab personnel in the proper execution of research protocols, including task development, participant recruitment, data collection, and analysis.
  • Assist in recruitment and evaluation of potential undergraduate student research assistants.
  • Coordinate schedules of undergraduate RAs to ensure appropriate participation and training.
• Dissemination of research findings:
  • Presentation of research in informal scientific settings (e.g., lab meetings).
  • Assistance with preparation of manuscripts and grants (including figure/table preparation and editing).
  • Opportunity to prepare and present posters at scientific conferences and author manuscripts.
• Management of general lab administrative needs:
  • Purchase and maintain supplies and equipment.
  • Obtain and oversee technical support for lab equipment (e.g., computers).
  • Administer IRB protocols (including approval, amendments, and renewals) and grants (including assistance with submission and renewal).
  • Manage lab record-keeping, including purchases, relevant grant information, IRB protocols, experiment participation, and protocols for executing and analyzing experiments (with help from lab personnel).
  • Help maintain lab website, wiki, and code/file sharing.
  • Coordinate weekly lab meetings and other lab events.

• At least one year of research experience.
• Previous research experience in a psychology or neuroscience lab.
• Experience with collection and/or analysis of human participant data.
• Good organizational and interpersonal skills; ability to work independently as well as in a team; personal accountability.
• Basic computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations).
• Some programming skills (e.g., Matlab, Python, E-prime, Inquisit).
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
• May require work during nights and weekends depending on participant schedules.
• Bachelor's degree in psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, computer science, or related field and/or equivalent…