Research Assistant

Salary Range Starting at $37,000;
Depending on Qualifications

Pay Basis Monthly

Position Status Regular full-time

Posting Open Date 09/18/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Desired Start Date 01/04/2027

The Affective Neuroimaging and Modeling for Mental Health ( AIMM ) Lab, directed by Dr. Ke Bo at the Center for Vital Longevity at The University of Texas at Dallas, is seeking a full-time Research Assistant I. The AIMM Lab studies the neural and biological mechanisms underlying emotion and emotion regulation, with a particular interest in how brain and body bioenergetic and metabolic health shape these processes and influence mental health.

Our research uses a combination of functional MRI (fMRI), EEG , behavioral experiments, computational modeling, and peripheral biospecimen measurements.

The Research Assistant will contribute to multiple ongoing and developing human-subject research projects and will play an important role in the day-to-day operation and growth of a new research lab. Responsibilities will include participant recruitment and testing, coordination of research studies, collection and management of behavioral and neuroimaging data, and assistance with data preprocessing and analysis.

The position is well suited for someone interested in gaining intensive research experience before pursuing graduate training in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, biomedical engineering, data science, or a related field.

Bachelor’s degree in one of the basic sciences or an equivalent combination of education and experience in customer service or in daily interactions in a public services environment.

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, biomedical engineering, or another related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant research experience.

Prior experience designing and conducting human-subject behavioral experiments, collecting fMRI data, or conducting related research is preferred. Strong organizational, time-management, interpersonal, and communication skills are essential. The successful candidate should be reliable, detail-oriented, comfortable interacting with research participants, and able to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Behavioral experiment programming
• Functional MRI or structural MRI data collection, preprocessing, or analysis
• Human-subject recruitment, screening, scheduling, and testing
• Research data management and quality control
• Programming or data analysis using MATLAB , Python,R or similar tools

Applicants do not need to have experience in all of these areas. Training will be provided as appropriate.

To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

• Assist with recruitment, screening, scheduling, and communication with research participants.
• Assist with informed consent, questionnaires, behavioral tasks, cognitive assessments, and other study procedures.
• Support collection of fMRI, behavioral, physiological, and other human-subject research data.
• Maintain accurate participant records, study documentation, and research databases.
• Assist with data organization, quality control,…