Research Assistant II, Psychology and Human Development

Research    ·    Nashville, TN    ·   Full time

Job Category: Research
Locations: Nashville, TN, United States
Posting Date: 08/18/2021, 06:43 AM
Degree Level: Bachelor’s Degree
Job Schedule: Full time

Job Description

The Research Assistant is part of the Brain Development Laboratory in Psychology and Human Development Department at Vanderbilt University and is responsible for conducting research. This position will be supported by a grant that aims to investigate the brain basis of literacy in children who are deaf and hard of hearing. We are broadly interested in how the brain changes over development and in individual differences (including disability) in brain organization (https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/boothlab/). This position involves participant recruitment and outreach, administering cognitive testing, collecting neuroimaging data, data management and analysis, supervising research assistants, various administrative duties and assisting with reports. The position reports to the Laboratory Director.

The Department of Psychology and Human Development at Vanderbilt University is a group of scholars who work to increase understanding of basic psychological functioning and neuropsychological development in various contexts. The department offers a doctoral degree in Psychological Sciences jointly with the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Science, with concentrations in clinical science, cognition in context, cognitive neuroscience, developmental science, neuroscience, and quantitative methods. The department also offers master’s degrees in child studies and quantitative methods as well as undergraduate majors in child development and cognitive studies. The department maintains strong collaborative ties with various units on campus including Advanced Computing Center for Research and Education, Bill Wilkerson Center, Brain Institute, Institute of Imaging Science, and Kennedy Center, as well as Department of Hearing and Speech, Department of Special Education and the Department of Teaching and Learning.

Duties and Responsibilities

• PARTICIPANT SCHEDULING AND COORDINATION: Publicizing study, scheduling and consenting participants, attending various events in the community to advertise our work.
• ADMINISTERING COGNITIVE TESTING: Conducting experiments as well as standardized ability and achievement testing. Requires use of protocols for psychoeducational measures, use of specialized computer software to collect behavioral data and use of mock MRI to familiarize participants.
• COLLECTING NEUROIMAGING DATA: Coordinating participants in neuroimaging experiments and collecting Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data at imaging center.
• DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS: Data scoring and entry, data management, basic analysis and data quality checks.
• SUPERVISING RESEARCH ASSISTANTS: Hiring and evaluating temporary employees, training and coordinating assistants that aid in various lab duties, such as recruitment and data collection.
• VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES: Maintaining information technology and social media, purchasing, bookkeeping, coordinating visitors, facilitating and attending meetings.
• ASSISTING WITH REPORTS: Managing Institutional Review Board and helping with periodic review reports for granting agencies. Depending on experience, participating in writing research articles.

Supervisory Relationships

This position has supervisory responsibility managing research assistants. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Laboratory Director.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Linguistics, Neuroscience, Psychology, Special Education or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
• A Master’s degree or higher in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Linguistics, Neuroscience, Psychology, Special Education or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
• Experience in recruiting participants into studies is necessary.
• Experience interacting with children, teachers, parents and the community is necessary.
• Experience in conducting behavioral research studies is necessary.
• Experience with computer software including social media, office, and database applications is necessary.
• Experience supervising research assistants is necessary.
• Experience administering standardized testing is necessary.
• Experience in institutional review board processes is necessary.
• Willingness to work some evening and weekend is necessary.
• Experience in coordinating large scale studies in preferred.
• Experience with statistical applications is preferred.
• Experience in pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is preferred.
• Experience in American Sign Language (ASL) and/or familiarity with Deaf culture is preferred.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

About Us

Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty!

At Vanderbilt University, our work – regardless of title or role – is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:

• Working and growing together as a community of communities… we are One Vanderbilt.
• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self, while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

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Vanderbilt University has made the safety of our students, faculty and staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University recently announced that students, faculty, and staff, are required to be vaccinated against COVID. As a prospective and/or a new employee at Vanderbilt, you will be required to comply with the University’s vaccination protocol. Effective, August 1, 2021, proof of full vaccination or an approved accommodation will be required before the start of employment in order to work at Vanderbilt University.

Accommodations for medical and religious exemptions can be requested with the Equal, Opportunity and Access Office https://www.vanderbilt.edu/eoa/.

Please click here to apply.