Research Assistant

Job Title

Research Assistant

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Psychology

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Our Commitment

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & identities.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

 

Who We Are

The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is engaged in research that falls into all five graduate areas of specialization:

• Behavioral and Cellular Neuroscience

• Clinical Psychology

• Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience Psychology

• Industrial/Organizational Psychology

• Social & Personality Psychology

In addition to the Department of Psychological and Brain Science’s 5 areas of specialization, we have overlapping research interests that bridge traditional areas of psychology. These primary research themes include Affective Science; Diversity Science; Neuroscience; Personality and Individual Differences. To learn more please visit our site at https://liberalarts.tamu.edu/psychology/research/

 

What We Want

The Lifespan Cognitive and Motor Neuroimaging Laboratory at Texas A&M University directed by Dr. Jessica Bernard is seeking a full-time research assistant to direct a new externally funded project. The lab investigates the cerebellum and other brain regions with respect to aging and cognitive decline. Methods used by the lab include brain imaging (functional and structural), non-invasive brain stimulation, assessment of balance, behavioral assessments of cognition and motor function, and questionnaires.

The project will investigate the cerebellar function in aging and cognitive decline, and whether cerebellar stimulation can positively impact behavioral and brain metrics in these groups. The Research Assistant will help with the every-day operations associated with the project and will work directly with Dr. Bernard to help recruit and schedule participants, collect and analyze data, and train and manage undergraduates working in the laboratory through the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.  The position will gain hands on experience in all aspects of the research, and there will be opportunities to co-author publications or presentations at national research meetings. If this job description sounds interesting to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity.

What You Need to Know

Salary Range: Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire's experience.

 

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Neuroscience

• No required experience

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Demonstrated high attention to detail

• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

• Ability to work with different groups of people and be helpful, respectful, approachable, and team oriented

• Ability to build strong working relationships and a positive work environment

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or Neuroscience (completed by January 2024)

• Specialized coursework in cognitive neuroscience

• Research experience in cognitive neuroscience, with exposure to neuroimaging and/or non-invasive brain stimulation techniques

• Undergraduate research experience working with human subjects

• Additional research experience and training prior to applying to graduate school

Responsibilities:

• Participant Recruitment and Scheduling: Calling and scheduling potential participants.

• Participant Data Collection: Behavioral and neuroimaging data collection from participants – hands on work with community-based participants to collect project data.

• Data Processing and Analysis: Organizing collected data into spreadsheets and databases, completing initial preprocessing and data analysis.

• Training and Managing Undergraduate Research Assistants: Overseeing undergraduates working in the lab for course credit on this project and performs other duties as assigned.

Why Texas A&M University? 

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & identities.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes. 

• Health , dental , vision , life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays 

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave  and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatically enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas 

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning  training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more 

• Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time   for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application. 

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.