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Research Assistant - Term

Position Summary :

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 neural basis language in children . We are broadly interested in how the brain changes over development and in individual differences (including disability) in cortical organization ( https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/boothlab/ ). This position involves leading various aspects of the project including participant recruitment and outreach, administering cognitive testing, collecting neuroimaging data, data management and analysis, supervising undergraduate assistants, various administrative duties and assisting with reports. The position reports to the Laboratory Director.

About the Work Unit :

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 cognitive psychology in context, child studies and quantitative methods as well as undergraduate majors in child development, language science 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.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

PARTICIPANT SCHEDULING AND COORDINATION: Leading the publicizing of the study, scheduling and consenting participants, attending various events in the community to advertise our work.
ADMINISTERING COGNITIVE TESTING : Leading the conduct of 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: Leading the coordination of participants in neuroimaging experiments and collecting Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data at imaging center.
DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS: Learning data scoring and entry, data management, basic analysis and data quality checks.
SUPERVISING UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANTS: Leading hiring and evaluating temporary employees, training and coordinating assistants that aid in various lab duties, such as recruitment and data collection.
VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES: Leading the maintenance of information technology and social media, purchasing, bookkeeping, coordinating visitors, facilitating and attending meetings.
ASSISTING WITH REPORTS: Leading the management of 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 undergraduate assistants. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Laboratory Director.

Education and Certifications:

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 and Skills :

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 undergraduate 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 .

Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit:

Detail-Oriented – Even small mistakes can create big issues; attention to detail work indicates care about the outcomes
Autonomous – Self-managing; self-motivated; manages time, activities and outcomes well so that progress stays on track
Creative Thinking – Goes beyond the boundaries of the job description, willingly takes on new challenges, and finds creative solutions rather than always awaiting direct instructions
Integrity – Holds oneself accountable; takes responsibility for failures as well as successes, recognizes that trust is required to hold a team together
Reliable – Does what they say they will do, when they say they will do it; shows up for work when expected; doesn’t push the burden of work volume or deadlines to others
Hard-Working – Is industrious as well as efficient (busy isn’t the same as productive); can juggle multiple competing priorities simultaneously without becoming overwhelmed
Good Communication – Provides information clearly and accurately in various settings, ensuring understanding and participation.

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