Research Technician Associate

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How to Apply

A brief cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume/curriculum vitae. The cover letter should address reasons for your interest in this position (including the research focus of the labs) and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. It is not necessary to have prior experience or interest in the topics studied in both labs, but please make any such connection clear if it exists. In addition, please include a resume or curriculum vitae with contact information for two references (at least one relevant to prior research experience). Lastly, please include your most recent academic transcript (college transcript if available; unofficial transcript acceptable). Application materials are required to be a in a single document format. 

Summary

The Evolutionary Social Psychology and Intergroup Relations Labs at the University of Michigan are recruiting a full time (40 hours/week) research technician associate (i.e., lab manager) to work jointly in both labs.  

The Evolutionary Social Psychology Lab , directed by Professor Joshua Ackerman, investigates a variety of psychological topics by asking why and how our ancestral histories might have influenced modern behaviors. Our current work focuses largely on the impact of infectious disease (both pre- and post-infection) and other ecological threats on decision-making and interpersonal behavior, as well as the influence of motivation on social cognition, moral judgments, and consumer behavior.

The Intergroup Relations Lab, directed by Professor Arnold Ho , uses survey and experimental methods to examine the psychological underpinnings of intergroup conflict and inequality. Currently, we are interested in identifying and understanding the core social and political motives that drive intergroup conflict, and the origins of these motives. Relatedly, we are interested in the historical conditions that led some groups and individuals to be more authoritarian or anti-egalitarian than others.

The Research Technician Associate (lab manager) will be responsible for working with Professors Ackerman and Ho, post-docs, graduate students, and undergraduates in both administrative and research capacities. This opportunity involves more than (but includes) typical research assistant capabilities, and thus will be most suited to applicants who have had prior experience conducting social psychological research and who have a strong interest in pursuing graduate school in social psychology, behavioral science, or a related field.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off, including vacation time, sick time, holiday and season days
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

In addition, LSA offers:

• Strong commitment to work/life balance
• Flexible work arrangements with respect to campus stakeholder needs
• Enhanced tuition support programs for LSA courses

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care - that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

Responsibilities*

Research Duties:

• Programming using research and recruitment software (e.g., Qualtrics, MTurk/CloudResearch, Prolific, Medialab, Sona systems)
• General project management
• Overseeing recruitment of research participants, developing novel recruitment methods, advertising participation opportunities
• Creating and pilot testing study materials
• Organizing and maintaining experimental records
• Engaging with open science materials (preregistrations, online repositories, etc.)
  

Data Analysis Duties:

• Compiling and preparing raw data for statistical analyses
• Running statistical analyses (R and SPSS preferred) 
• Acquiring and organizing public data
• Overseeing data collection and storage, in the lab and elsewhere

Administrative Duties:

• Managing online databases, lab supplies, and lab websites
• Assisting with recruiting, training, and supervising undergraduate research assistants
• Scheduling of meetings, lab sessions, etc.
• Writing and amending IRB proposals
• Assisting with manuscript preparation
• Maintaining reliable and regular contact with faculty

Required Qualifications*

• High school diploma or Associate's degree
• Experience with experimental human research (at least one-year preferred)

Desired Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, organizational behavior, or related field
• Good knowledge of experimental design
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and managerial abilities
• Experience with both PC and Mac platforms 
• Ability to function effectively in a dynamic workplace (tasks will vary frequently)
• Ability to work independently

Applicants should be extremely conscientious and organized, have excellent communication skills, and enjoy the challenges of a demanding workload involving simultaneous involvement in multiple research projects with multiple research assistants conducted in multiple locations (laboratory, online, public areas). 

Additional Information

The salary range is $31,200 to $33,900. Please note a higher salary may be offered based on equity and the selected candidate's experience.

This is a 12-month term-limited position with the possibility of renewal. The anticipated start date is August 2024, (exact start date negotiable). Continuation for a second year is a possibility, pending availability of funding and a successful performance review at the end of the first year. The position requires the lab manager to work in-person in Ann Arbor, Michigan (though some occasional remote work may be possible).

As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion in LSA, please visit lsa.umich.edu/lsa/dei.

To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. This job may be removed from the posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For full consideration, please submit by March 25th.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.