Research Coordinator - Psychology

Overview

The Department of Psychology at Tufts University conducts cutting‑edge interdisciplinary research aimed at understanding the causes and consequences of mental processes and behavior. The department’s primary approach is experimental, with researchers at the forefront of neuroscience; applied cognition; cognitive, clinical and affective neuroscience; social psychology; and developmental psychology.

This is a grant‑funded position and is not eligible for severance pay. This Research Coordinator position supports the project titled “Effects of Stress on Brain and Physiological Pathways to Health Disparities,” funded by an NIH Transformative Award to Drs. Aerielle Allen, Lisa Shin, and Sam Sommers. The project examines brain, physiological, and psychological responses to personal experiences with interpersonal aggression among participants with economic stress, and uses prospective smartphone‑based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methods to measure the frequency and severity of experiences as they occur in real time, permitting investigation of how these measures associate with brain, physiological, and health outcomes.

Under close supervision of the PIs, the primary responsibilities of the position are to manage day‑to‑day operations for this NIH‑funded project:

• Oversee student research assistants engaged in participant recruitment, screening, and scheduling; train, coordinate, and orient new lab personnel.
• Assist with data collection sessions, acting as a resource for visiting participants; oversee participant communications before and during data collection.
• Participate in project meetings to discuss data management, data analysis, and preparation of submissions for publication and presentation; have opportunity to contribute as a co‑author.
• Maintain inventory, order materials and supplies; ensure receipt, labeling and storage; maintain laboratory equipment, work with vendors to troubleshoot problems, assist with equipment (including computer) set‑up.
• Assist PIs with budget tracking and record‑keeping related to advertising, equipment purchases, vendor and participant payments, and other study expenditures.
• Ensure compliance with IRB protocol, including assistance with continuing review and modification applications; support compliance with NIH data sharing guidelines and progress report requirements.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Neuroscience or a related field
• Previous research experience in Psychology, Neuroscience, or a related field
• Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills and attention to detail
• Experience and interest in working with diverse populations and studying research questions related to health disparity
• Ability to promote a positive working environment for all study staff and participants

• Skills with software related to data analysis (e.g., R, SPSS) and data collection (e.g., Qualtrics, EMA platforms, BIOPAC’s Acq Knowledge)
• Experience with proactively managing teams of undergraduate research assistants and coordinating laboratory activities/operations
• Experience in an fMRI research setting

Minimum $22.50, Midpoint $26.80, Maximum $31.10. Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.