Research Specialist

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Job Category: Academic Staff Employment Type: Terminal (Fixed Term)
Job Profile: Research Specialist Job Summary:

The Department of Psychology is seeking a motivated, detail‑oriented individual to support the logistical and research operations of PI Guassi Moreira’s lab. The duties of this position include managing the lab’s daily administrative functions and assisting in all aspects of conducting research, including:

• Building lab infrastructure (e.g., purchasing and setting up physical infrastructure such as furniture and computers, helping create internal data storage systems and pipelines, developing lab manual and protocols)
• Conducting research (e.g., writing IRBs, recruiting participants in the metropolitan Madison area, maintaining a database of potential research participants, collecting behavioral/neuroimaging/developmental/online data, analyzing data, and sharing results through posters, presentations, and papers)
• Supporting lab research (e.g., assisting other lab members with literature searches, study design, stimuli preparation, data collection, analyses, manuscript and grant preparation)
• Building and supporting lab community (e.g., facilitating lab communication and organizing lab events)

The initial term of this appointment is 2 years, with the possibility of being extended based on funding.

• Conduct research experiments according to established research protocols with moderate impact to the project(s). Collect data and monitor test results
• Perform literature reviews and write reports
• Review, analyze, and interpret data and/or documents results for presentations and/or reporting to internal and external audiences
• Provide operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and/or student workers
• Operate, clean, and maintain organization of research equipment and research area. Track inventory levels and place replenishment orders
• Participate in the development, interpretation, and implementation of research methodology and materials

College of Letters & Science | Department of Psychology

The starting salary for this position is $44,543 - $63,697 depending on qualifications and experience. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays and paid time off; competitive insurance and saving accounts; and retirement benefits.

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with others (e.g., adult and child participants, families, other researchers)
• Highly detail oriented, strongly work ethic, motivated, efficient, and able to work independently
• Willingness to occasionally work nonstandard hours (e.g., evenings, weekends) contingent on participant availability
• Strong enthusiasm to learn new skills, concepts, methods, techniques will be best set up for success in this position. Prior experience in any of these domains is preferred, but enthusiasm and persistence are more important

• Proficiency with statistical and programming languages/software (e.g., SPSS, R, Matlab, Java, Python; preferably R or Python) strongly preferred, but not necessarily required
• Proficiency with quantitative methods and/or data management skills
• Prior experience conducting empirical research on questions related to the lab’s research focus
• Prior experience managing others and building community

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, neuroscience, computer science, anthropology, sociology, statistics, biology, or related field is the preferred minimum.

Click the "Apply" button to start the application process.

You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Qualifications/Cover Letter

Applicants should attach a letter of qualifications/cover letter and resume detailing their training and experience relating to the required and preferred qualifications referenced above. The application reviewers will be relying on written…