Human Research Technologist, Cognitive Neuroscience of Creativity Lab

This position is funded for 12 months; continuation past 12 months will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

The Cognitive Neuroscience of Creativity Lab, directed by Dr. Roger Beaty at Penn State, is accepting applications for a Human Research Technologist to support a grant-funded research project.

The Cognitive Neuroscience of Creativity Lab focuses on psychological research on human creativity and problem solving. Our lab uses a combination of behavioral, neuroimaging, and computational approaches to investigate the mechanisms underlying human creativity.

We create open-access tools for evaluating creative thinking and examine creativity across a variety of domains, such as music, science, and education.

The Human Research Technologist will support the day-to-day coordination of the project, including participant research, project administration, and data management.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate participant recruitment, scheduling, and data collection.
• Create computerized tasks and stimuli for experiments.
• Collect, process, and analyze behavioral, fMRI/fNIRS, and EEG data.
• Track project goals and budgets; purchase necessary study supplies.
• Oversee, train, and assign tasks to student and volunteer research assistants.
• Organize and quality-check data. Create and manage datasets; prepare data for reporting, presentations, and grant submissions.
• Support the implementation of study procedures and research tasks.
• Track project goals, timelines, meetings, and documentation.
• Support IRB compliance and coordination with collaborating research sites.

The Human Research Technologist will receive training on programming (e.g., Python), creating psychological experiments (e.g., Psycho Py), and using AI tools (e.g., large language models and AI coding agents) to assist with experiment design, data analysis, and research workflows.

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others
• Ability and willingness to learn

If filled as Human Research Technologist
- Social Sciences
- Intermediate Professional, this position requires:

Associate Degree2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Required

Certifications:

None If filled as Human Research Technologist
- Social Sciences
- Professional, this position requires:

Associate Degree No prior relevant work experience required; previous relevant work experience accepted in lieu of education.

Required

Certifications:

None

A Bachelor's degree in psychology or related field is preferred.

Visit our website to learn more about the work being done in the Cognitive Neuroscience of Creativity Lab.

The College of the Liberal Arts is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $33,504.00 - $53,532.00.

Salary Structure
- Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional…