Research Assistant - Psychology

Department
 

SSD Psychology: Staff and Temporary Employees - Khan

About the Department
 

The Cognitive Development Lab in the Department of Psychology at the University of Chicago, under the direction of Dr. Susan Levine focuses on mathematical and language development in young children, and on variations in children’s learning trajectories that relate to their experiences at home and at school. We are interested in how learning is shaped by variations in the amount and quality of early experiences. Our research ranges from naturalistic studies of parent-child and teacher-child interactions to laboratory studies examining how particular kinds of instruction impact children’s learning. Much of our research focuses on children’s mathematical and spatial learning, and examines cognitive as well as affective factors relating to achievement in these domains.

Job Summary
 

The job provides technical support activities related to scientific research projects. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings.
The Research Assistant will participate in a project that is developing a system of formative assessments and instructional methods in mathematics and literacy that will help preschool teachers tailor their instruction to individual children. The research assistant will work directly with the institutional principal investigators and the project research director to implement and test the assessment system in pre-schools, on data collection and transcription, as well as on preliminary data analysis. This position is especially appropriate for candidates who are interested in pursuing graduate studies in psychology or education.

Responsibilities

• Point of contact with testing sites.
• Collect, enter, and assist in analyzing data.
• Recruit and schedule research subjects.
• Assist with development of data collection tools and manage data files.
• Transcribe and code data
• Assist with the preparation of reports and manuscripts.
• Maintain and orders supplies.
• Provide general administrative support.
• Collects and enters data. Assists in analyzing data. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
• May assist recruiting and scheduling research subjects; assisting with developing or amending study protocols; assisting with developing data collection tools; assisting with building databases; and providing general administrative support. Is developing skills in research techniques or methods, regulatory policies and procedures, and relevant scientific field.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Bachelor's degree in the social sciences; with a concentration in psychology.

Experience:

• One year of relevant research experience.
• Prior experience working with children and in collecting experimental data.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Bi-lingual, native speaker of Spanish.

Preferred Competencies

• Basic knowledge in relevant scientific field.
• Problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail.
• Organizational skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to learn new research techniques or methods.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Research

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

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