Cognition and Learning Lab Manager (Laboratory Research Assistant)

PSYCHOLOGICAL & BRAIN SCIENCES (BL-PSY-IUBLA)

The core mission of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University in Bloomington is to unlock the mysteries of the human brain and behavior, and to prepare students to apply that knowledge to improve the lives of people around the globe. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as core strengths and essential elements of research, teaching, and service; and we are committed to broadening interactions among students, faculty, and staff that allow us to learn from our differences and to reexamine deeply held assumptions about ourselves and the world.

As a part of the College of Arts and Sciences (The College), we are a highly multidisciplinary department, with faculty and students carrying out research ranging from molecular neuroscience to artificial intelligence. We currently have over 70 full-time faculty, more than 30 department-serving staff members, 100 graduate students, 1,800 undergraduate majors, 750 undergraduate minors, and offer 9 different undergraduate credentials, including a BS / BA in Psychology, a BS in Neuroscience, a BS in Organizational and Business Psychology, and certificate in Clinical Science.

More information about the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University may be found here.

The College values diversity, equity, and inclusion as a core strength and essential element in the success of its educational mission. For full diversity statement, click here.

The Cognition & Learning Lab, directed by Dr. Elizabeth Gunderson, is hiring 1 full-time Lab Manager (Laboratory Research Assistant). This position presents diverse opportunities to participate in cutting-edge developmental psychology research, partly funded by the James S. McDonnell Foundation grant, "Developing Mathematical Skills and Motivation". The lab manager will be involved in a variety of research projects, including studies examining the relations between spatial and numerical skills in early childhood and the role of parent-child interactions in children's development of skills and motivation.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Recruits preschools and elementary schools to participate in research studies, including coordinating with principals and teachers
• Recruits and schedules research participants, including children and their parents
• Assists with multiple aspects of the research process, including stimulus design and creation, recruiting, scheduling, data collection, coding, analysis, grant administration, and training and supervising undergraduate researchers
• Presents findings at collaborative lab meetings
• Manages Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols
• Assists with research grant administration and accounting
• Organizes and participates in outreach activities
• Trains and supervises undergraduate research assistants
• Performs other duties as assigned

General Responsibilities

• Responsible for the initiation, monitoring, completion, and reporting of routine to moderately complex research studies
• Organizes and implements data review and analysis
• Oversees the proper handling of laboratory specimens including processes, shipping, storage, documentation, and transfer to designated central laboratories
• Conducts data quality assurance practices
• Prepares research summaries and assists in progress report development
• Maintains laboratory work areas and supply inventory

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree in science or a health-related discipline (psychology or a closely-related field preferred)

WORK EXPERIENCE

Preferred

• Experience working with preschool or elementary-school-age children as a researcher or teacher

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Highly thorough and dependable

Preferred

• Experience in psychology, human development, neuroscience, education or a related field
• Demonstrates awareness of and commitment to effectively establishing relationships and positive communications across multiple dimensions of diversity including, but not limited to race, gender, physical limitations, class, socioeconomic status, or religious perspectives
• Demonstrates computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office suite or similar spreadsheet, database, word processing, and presentation software
• Demonstrates experience with statistical software, such as R, to complete quantitative data analyses
• Some experience managing or monitoring the work of others
• Comfortable giving presentations to small groups
• Experience with computer programming (e.g., JavaScript, Python, C++, Ruby, R)
• Experience with data management software (e.g., REDCap) and stimulus presentation software (e.g., E-Prime, Gorilla)

The role regularly requires the ability to effectively communicate and the ability to travel to off-site locations that may not be accessible by public transportation. The role frequently requires the ability to move about the work environment and to position oneself to operate laboratory equipment effectively. The role requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds and will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

The minimum expected commitment to this position is 2 years, with the possibility of extension depending on performance.

There will be opportunities to be involved in the dissemination of research through conference presentations, publications, and technical reports.

This position is grant funded with expected annual renewals. Renewals are contingent on the availability of grant funds. 

Bloomington, Indiana

$18.27 - $19.24 per hour, approximately $38,000 - $40,000 per year

This position requires the ability to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends to administer study protocols as necessary.

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure .

Career Level: Intermediate

FLSA: Nonexempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Laboratory Research

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information .

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