Research Assistant - Term

Please Note: This is a full-time, term position.

This research assistant position is part of the Mood, Emotion, and Development Lab housed in the Department of Psychology and Human Development at Peabody College at Vanderbilt University and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of studies of neural and physiological predictors of depression and intervention outcomes in youth and families. Responsibilities will include scheduling and running study sessions with research participants, submitting IRB protocols and reports, assisting with grant submissions, organizing and analyzing study datasets, and overseeing study administration. The research assistant will report to the lab manager and lab director and supervise students assisting with research projects.

About the Work Unit :

With a genealogy dating to a one-room Nashville schoolhouse in 1785, Peabody College today is a world-class college of education and human development. Our mission is to enhance the human condition, with a particular focus on children’s learning and development. We do this as we always have, through the preparation of teachers and leaders; through cycles of research, implementation, and refinement; through service to families, schools, and communities; and through external engagement with professionals, leaders, and policy-makers. Peabody’s focus on learning differences has helped to define the college, as has a reputation for empirical rigor in educational neuroscience; child, family, and community development; special education; the learning sciences; and educational leadership and policy. Peabody is devoted to creating opportunity in an increasingly diverse society and to solving large societal problems.

NOTE: A Term position is a staff position that exists for a period longer than six months but is not expected to last beyond one year. Although a position may exist for a specified or indefinite period, staff who accept term positions are not guaranteed employment for the entire period; they are employed for indefinite periods within the limit of the appointment. There are no guarantees of continued employment, either within the term or when the term ends.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee data entry; create and maintain REDCap surveys for study measures and clinical interview data
• Supervise scheduling of appointments with research participants and internal lab scheduling (clinical supervision, lab meetings, etc.)
• Assist with organization and analysis of datasets
• Lead study sessions with research participants (including administration of clinical interviews, questionnaires, EEG, fMRI, and cognitive assessments)
• Prepare and submit IRB applications, as well as modifications or continuing review for existing studies
• Train students in study procedures and lab expectations
• Maintain organization of lab spaces and lab servers
• Ensure all lab members are up to date on IRB and university requirements (e.g., Protection of Minors, CITI training, fingerprinting and background checks)
• Closely monitor and appropriately document all payments made to research participants

Supervisory Relationships :

This position does have supervisory responsibility over undergraduate research assistants; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Lab Director.

Qualifications

• Experience training and supervising others is preferred .
• Experience with programming in Python, Presentation, or E-Prime is preferred .
• Experience working with children is required .
• A bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive studies, or a related field is required
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office is necessary .
• Experience with and detailed knowledge of REDCap is preferred.
• Experience with EEG or fMRI methods is preferred .
• Previous research experience working with human subjects (especially an undergraduate research project or honors thesis) is required .
• Experience preparing and submitting IRB documents and/or grant applications is preferred .
• Experience working with data in SPSS, R, or other statistical software is preferred .

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville , Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice through:

• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self , while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt .
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

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