Social Sciences Research Assistant 1 (1 year term)

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $17.65 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under moderate supervision, the Social Sciences Research Assistant 1 will perform the research activities of the Language, Autism, Motor and Behavior (LAMB) Lab. Responsibilities will include assisting with recruitment, data collection and data preparation, working with families, maintaining research records, and supporting the administration of surveys and interviews across projects. This position will work directly with doctoral and undergraduate students at Case Western Reserve University as well as the principal investigator of the LAMB Lab. This is a one-year term position and may be renewed for up to two years total.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Perform research activities for assigned research projects in the LAMB Lab working closely with the lab study team. Current and future projects include investigating how cognitive and motor skills predict language abilities in children, including those with language difficulties; and examining societal perceptions of autism, aiming to improve life quality for autistic individuals and caregivers through education, stigma reduction, and culturally sensitive screening tools. Recruit and schedule participants for in-lab and online (e.g., via Zoom) studies. Collect data for ongoing and new studies with children and caregivers, in accordance with established protocols. (50%)
• Data collection: administer language and motor standardized assessments with preschool and school aged children (e.g., Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC), Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT), Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF)). Work with families on completing surveys and questionnaires. Prepare data for analysis. (20%)
• Maintain research records of assigned projects. (10%)
• Perform daily project activities as assigned including project-related communication with community partners, literature reviews, and report preparation. (20%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform other duties as assigned (i.e., lab administration). (<1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Regular (weekly) contact with the principal investigator and study team to ensure the needs of the project(s) are addressed.

University: Regular (weekly) contact with collaborators at other university departments and the staff of the department of Psychological Sciences at Case Western Reserve University to exchange information.

External: Frequent contact with participating families for recruitment.

Students: Frequent contact with undergraduate assistants and work with graduate assistants on study team to carry out research activities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees. May train new staff; direct the work of students.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 0 to 1 year of experience conducting psychological research (or closely related field) required.
Education: Bachelor's degree in psychology or similar field required (social sciences).

REQUIRED SKILLS

• High degree of interpersonal skills and assertiveness to oversee assistants and contribute to study team.
• Highly organized with strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Suite (word, access, excel), email and internet applications/systems, and some course work or job related experience with SPSS.
• Some statistical background/knowledge (e.g., SPSS) at the undergraduate level.
• Strong computing and technical skills.
• Experience programming experiments (e.g., Qualtrics, E-Prime, Eye tracking).
• Experience in effective recruiting and working with children and families of all backgrounds.
• Experience presenting research at undergraduate or professional meetings.
• Interest in psychological assessments (language, IQ, cognitive tests)
• Interest in learning statistical skills (quantitative and mixed methods).
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small team environment with team members and students.
• Ability to work under general supervision and seek out effective solutions for project-related issues.
• Ability to work closely with community-based agencies
• Ability to work independently when necessary, as well as in a group environment.
• Ability to maintain confidential information of participants, such as HIPAA and other sensitive information.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.
• Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Typical office environment. The employee will perform repetitive motion using computer mouse and keyboard to type. The employee will also be expected to work with families and children coming into the lab. May be required to attend evening and weekend meetings or events.

This is a Term position. They are treated like regular staff positions for medical and dental benefits eligibility, vacation, holidays, and sick time. Term employees are not eligible for life insurance, retirement, long term disability, short term disability, tuition assistance, layoff status, or severance pay. Staff in term positions are also subject to the performance management review process and positive corrective action when work performance or behavior is unsatisfactory or unacceptable. Term employment does not alter the employment-at-will employee status of these employees.

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This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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