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Collective Lab Technician (Instructional Support Technician I)

The Collective Lab Technician plays an important role in supporting innovative behavioral and mental health research within Dr. Vargas's research program. This position provides hands-on technical and operational support for multiple research studies, assisting with participant recruitment, IRB coordination, data management, and day-to-day research operations. Working closely with faculty and research staff, the role helps ensure studies are conducted efficiently, ethically, and in compliance with university and human subjects research standards.

This is an excellent opportunity for a detail-oriented professional interested in psychology, public health, digital health, or general research focused on youth mental health and related areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate all aspects of research projects, including overseeing and tracking project progress, completing multiple tasks, complete and track project institutional administrative processes including purchasing, reimbursement, and approvals.
• Coordinate participant recruitment and study logistics using research participant pools, online platforms, and campus outreach methods.
• Support IRB processes, including protocol submissions, amendments, continuing reviews, and compliance documentation.
• Organize and maintain research datasets, participant records, and study documentation in accordance with confidentiality and data security standards.
• Coordinate and assist with data collection, entry, verification, and management using research and survey tools such as Excel, Google Sheets, and Qualtrics.
• Prepare and maintain research materials, equipment, and study supplies to support ongoing behavioral and social science research projects.
• Plan and execute logistics for in-person and virtual workshops for research studies.
• Coordinate visits to or outreach events for community partner sites.

Why Join Us?

• Contribute to meaningful research focused on behavioral health, youth mental health, and related areas.
• Gain hands-on experience with research operations, IRB processes, and data management in an academic research setting.
• Work collaboratively with faculty, research staff, and students on impactful projects.
• Develop skills using research technologies and participant management systems.
• Join a research environment committed to ethical, data-driven, and community-focused scholarship.

Position Information

This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, temporary position with an anticipated end date of six months and a day of start date, with the possibility of reappointment. This position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation. Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.

The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to two years of experience providing instructional support services for a unit or discipline, acting as a student assistant, or in producing materials or supplies related to the discipline. Or equivalent to two years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a discipline related to the area to which assigned may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Or equivalent to four years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a related discipline may be substituted for the experience.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to work in a fast paced and deeply impactful project with a lot of moving parts; requiring a high level of organization, communication and task tracking and completion.
• A collaborative and team-oriented attitude
• Experience with planning in-person workshops and events, including managing logistics, agendas, procuring vendors and clear communications with workshop participants.
• Ability to navigate complex administrative systems required at SDSU for processing purchases and reimbursements, setting up lab technology, etc.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills demonstrated…