Research Assistant I Lab

Harvard University • Cambridge, MA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory for Developmental Studies in the Psychology department has a position open for a full-time research assistant. Research in the lab is focused on exploring the cognitive development of infants and children, with an emphasis on perception and knowledge of objects, numbers, places, geometry, and people. Further projects in the lab include the development of numerical, geometrical, social-cognitive, and reading abilities in preschool and elementary school-aged children, with a focus on testing interventions to enhance children's readiness for learning across such domains. The candidate will report directly to the P.I., a Professor of Cognitive Developmental Psychology, and will be responsible for managing and overseeing the daily activities of two lab spaces dedicated to running research studies with infants, toddlers, and children, and coordinating lab-wide remote testing.

Requirements

• At least one year of experience in psychology, biology, cognitive science or related field is required.
• Relevant coursework may count toward experience.
• Proficiency with Zoom, Word, Excel, and Google docs/calendar is necessary for day-to-day functioning of the lab.
• Familiarity with online research tools (e.g. Qualtrics, Lookit) and search databases (e.g. FileMaker).
• Must be confident working both independently as well as with others in a high-paced, and in an in-person and remote, research environment.
• Must demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and should possess excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, biology, or cognitive science
• Embrace the challenges of a demanding workload involving multiple research projects.
• Experience with infants and toddlers desirable, because the candidate will be called upon to confidently and professionally work with families on a daily basis.
• Familiarity with other tools and languages like HTML, JavaScript, R, and Blender is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Supervising undergraduate research assistants
• Coordinating testing spaces and study schedules
• Assisting with preparation of grant applications and progress reports
• Maintaining the lab manual
• Executing specific research experiments
• Assisting in quality data collection and management
• Ensuring compliance with all regulations regarding testing human subjects
• Acting as the primary liaison between the lab and both the Psychology Business Office and the Harvard IRB as well as lab-related courses
• Coordinating all lab purchases, applications for human subjects research approval, and updating websites
• Working actively with the Open Science Framework to register studies, methodology, and data
• Performing other related duties as well, depending on the needs of the lab, including interacting with families of participants, visiting students, and others.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including parental leave
• Medical, dental, and vision health insurance coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plans with university contributions
• Wellbeing and mental health resources
• Support for families and caregivers
• Professional development opportunities including tuition assistance and reimbursement
• Commuter benefits, discounts and campus perks

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level