Research associate psychology education Stanford, CA

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a conscientious, intrinsically motivated research assistant to join a unique, large‑scale, grant‑funded intervention project exploring the psychology and neuroscience of open‑mindedness in political contexts. This position is ideal for a post‑baccalaureate individual interested in social psychology, neuroscience, and the intersection of these fields with the study of social conflict. The project will investigate the psychological and neural bases of openness to differing viewpoints and apply scientific theory to address some of today’s most pressing social challenges—encouraging open‑mindedness, overcoming bias blind spots, and fostering empathy and understanding across social‑political divides.

You will work closely with Principal Investigator Geoffrey Cohen and an interdisciplinary team of renowned researchers, including Janine Dutcher, David Creswell, David Sherman, Valerie Purdie‑Greenaway, and others.

The role involves coordinating and conducting a large‑scale, in‑person research study. You will be responsible for creating behavioral stimuli, recruiting participants from both the campus and local community, coding behavioral experiments for implementation in an fMRI scanner, guiding participants through the fMRI process, managing and cleaning data, and assisting with data analysis.

While prior experience with fMRI studies is preferred, it is not required. However, you must be eager to invest the time needed to learn these skills. Additionally, you should have the necessary coding experience to program behavioral experiments.

This position is a 1‑year fixed‑term appointment based on Stanford University’s main campus. Consideration will be given to a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite work), subject to operational needs, but generally the project requires you to be physically present on campus.

• Coordinate and schedule meetings with interdisciplinary researchers
• Collaborate with a diverse team of scholars, integrating insights from psychology, neuroscience, and political science. This includes meeting one‑on‑one with project team members and incorporating their perspectives into summaries and action plans.
• Review relevant research in social psychology and neuroscience to inform design of our studies
• Run psychological and neuroscience experiments, including participant recruitment and scheduling
• Code and analyze behavioral data using Python/Matlab
• Contribute to the development and execution of novel interventions aimed at fostering open‑mindedness
• Help oversee data management and help process neuroimaging data (training available)
• Project/grant administrative tasks: writing project updates, budgetary, seeking further grant opportunities, submitting IRB updates/renewals, managing administrative and bureaucratic processes that are part of a large‑scale grant project.

• Bachelor’s degree in social psychology, cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, computer science, or a related field
• Proficiency in coding (e.g., Python, Matlab, R, or shell scripting)

• Strong interpersonal skills for participant recruitment and working with community samples
• Ability to self‑manage and handle multiple aspects of a large‑scale project
• Exceptional attention to detail and work ethic, with a strong ability to complete complex projects efficiently

• Experience with fMRI or neuroimaging data acquisition and analysis
• Familiarity with Linux OS
• Experience with academic writing and publication
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Motivated, self‑starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Knowledge of research design and statistical analysis

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Constantly perform desk‑based computer tasks.
• Frequent sitting.
• Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, kneel/crawl.

• May be exposed to blood borne pathogens.
• May be required to…