Rsch Pro -Rsch Coord-Gnrlst

About the Job

The Cognition and Neurodevelopmental Studies Lab at the University of Minnesota is currently conducting multiple NIH funded and private foundation funded research studies examining brain and behavioral development in young children between birth and 6 years of age.

We are hiring up to two positions, each primarily supporting a single study. The candidate will assist the Principal Investigators in managing/coordinating and conducting various aspects of this research. We are seeking someone with knowledge of child development theory and research who has sufficient experience to ethically recruit participants, acquire informed consent from participants, schedule participants, conduct participant assessments (e.g., semi-structured parent interviews, behavioral testing with children), acquire MRI data (learn to safely operate the scanner console), perform quality control / quality assurance procedures on behavioral and MRI data, purchase materials as needed, supervise undergraduate RAs, enter and manage data in the lab's LORIS database.

There is the option to generate scientific products (e.g., professional presentations, empirical publications). The position is for 40 hours a week and requires a minimum 2-year commitment.

• Complete Human Subjects ethics training
• Assist PI with maintaining study protocol
• Recruit, schedule, and acquire informed consent from participants
• Purchasing study materials and ensuring compliance with purchasing procedures/documentation
• Communicate regularly with local and national collaborators regarding study progress
• Organize weekly recruitment/enrollment report
• Manage organization and storage of data
• Reliably administer standardized behavioral tests on young children (e.g., Bayley Scales for Infant & Toddler Development)
• Reliably administer experimental behavioral assessments for young children (e.g., MEFS)
• Reliably administer semi-structured and standardized parent interviews (e.g., Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales)
• Perform preliminary data analyses using statistics software (Excel, SPSS, R, SAS)
• Acquire front-end functional familiarity with LORIS database, including tasks such as entering data, performing queries, examining quality control metrics, and extracting data for analyses

• Complete CMRR safety training to be able to independently operate the 3T scanner consoles
• Learn the CNS Lab developmental neuroimaging standard operating procedures well enough to train new members
• Attend MRI sessions and assist PI and other staff with the collection of MRI data
• Should plan to dedicate a up to 3 nights a week to night scanning (typically between 7-11pm)

• Attend weekly lab meetings
• Participate in the broader intellectual environment to augment professional development
• Undergraduate RA supervision (data entry, coordination of "sib-sitting", visit observation & recording)
• Supporting the broader lab team as needed
• Option to contribute to and generate scientific products

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS in Psychology, Human Development, Cognitive or Affective Neuroscience, or a related field or a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least four years.
• At least one year of experience as a research assistant or related position
• Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities
• Proficiency with computer software such in PC or Mac (i.e. Microsoft Office, Google Suite)
• Strong written and spoken language skills
• Demonstrable experience working with young children and their families
• Demonstrable interest in learning about MRI and its application to infant/toddler brain development

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with statistics software (e.g. R, SAS)
• Previous experience contributing to recruitment and data collection for child development studies
• Previous experience coordinating recruitment and data collection in longitudinal research studies
• Prior experience collecting MRI data
• Experience in managing and supervising undergraduate students or employees

Pay Range: $48, year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type:
Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer…