Collective Lab Technician (Instructional Support Technician I)

About the role

The Collective Lab Technician plays an important role in supporting innovative behavioral and mental health research within Dr. Vargas’s research program. This position provides hands-on technical and operational support for multiple research studies, assisting with participant recruitment, IRB coordination, data management, and day-to-day research operations. Working closely with faculty and research staff, the role helps ensure studies are conducted efficiently, ethically, and in compliance with university and human subjects research standards.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate all aspects of research projects, including overseeing and tracking project progress, completing multiple tasks, complete and track project institutional administrative processes including purchasing, reimbursement, and approvals.
• Coverage of participant recruitment and study logistics using research participant pools, online platforms, and campus outreach methods.
• Support IRB processes, including protocol submissions, amendments, continuing reviews, and compliance documentation.
• Organize and maintain research datasets, participant records, and study documentation in accordance with confidentiality and data security standards.
• Coverage of data collection, entry, verification, and management using research and survey tools such as Excel, Google Sheets, and Qualtrics.
• Prepare and maintain research materials, equipment, and study supplies to support ongoing behavioral and social science research projects.
• Plan and execute logistics for in-person and virtual workshops for research studies.
• Coverage of coordination of visits to or outreach events for community partner sites.

Requirements

Equivalent to two years of experience providing instructional support services for a unit or discipline, acting as a student assistant, or in producing materials or supplies related to the discipline. OR Equivalent to two years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a discipline related to the area to which assigned may be substituted for one year of the required experience. OR Equivalent to four years of college with 16 semester units in courses involving extensive use of materials, supplies, or equipment and in a related discipline may be substituted for the experience.

Qualifications

• Ability to work in a fast paced and deeply impactful project with a lot of moving parts; requiring a high level of organization, communication and task tracking and completion.
• A collaborative and team-oriented attitude.
• Experience with planning in-person workshops and events, including managing logistics, agendas, procuring vendors and clear communications with workshop participants.
• Ability to navigate complex administrative systems required at SDSU for processing purchases and reimbursements, setting up lab technology, etc.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills demonstrated through experience with building community partner relationships, client-facing activities (e.g., in healthcare, research, or service industries) or other similar experience.
• Working knowledge of Institutional Review Board (IRB) submission processes, protocol amendments, continuing reviews, and documentation requirements for human subjects research.
• Experience coordinating participant recruitment using research participant pools, online recruitment platforms (e.g., SONA Systems), and campus outreach methods.
• Experience organizing and maintaining research datasets and study documentation in compliance with confidentiality and data security standards.
• Ability to perform accurate data entry, verification, and data file organization using spreadsheet or database software.
• Proficiency with common research data tools such as Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Qualtrics, or similar survey and data collection platforms.
• Ability to prepare and maintain research materials, equipment, and study supplies used in behavioral or social science research studies.
• Ability to maintain organized electronic and physical research files, including IRB documentation, study materials, and participant records.
• Experience working in a psychology, behavioral science, or social science research laboratory or research program is preferred.
• Master’s degree desired in psychology, public health, social work, or a related field.
• Background or interest in youth mental health, suicide prevention, crisis services, or related areas is preferred.
• Bilingual Spanish-English proficiency preferred.

Skills

Ability to work in a fast paced and deeply impactful project with a lot of moving parts; requiring a high level of organization, communication and task tracking and completion. Collaborative and team-oriented attitude. Experience with planning in-person workshops and events, including managing logistics, agendas, procuring vendors and clear communications with workshop participants. Ability to navigate complex administrative systems required at SDSU for processing purchases and reimbursements, setting up lab technology, etc. Exceptional interpersonal skills demonstrated through experience with building community partner relationships, client-facing activities (e.g., in healthcare, research, or service industries) or other similar experience. Working knowledge of Institutional Review Board (IRB) submission processes, protocol amendments, continuing reviews, and documentation requirements for human subjects research. Experience coordinating participant recruitment using research participant pools, online recruitment platforms (e.g., SONA Systems), and campus outreach methods. Experience organizing and maintaining research datasets and study documentation in compliance with confidentiality and data security standards. Ability to perform accurate data entry, verification, and data file organization using spreadsheet or database software. Proficiency with common research data tools such as Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Qualtrics, or similar survey and data collection platforms. Ability to prepare and maintain research materials, equipment, and study supplies used in behavioral or social science research studies. Ability to maintain organized electronic and physical research files, including IRB documentation, study materials, and participant records. Experience working in a psychology, behavioral science, or social science research laboratory or research program is preferred. Master’s degree desired in psychology, public health, social work, or a related field. Background or interest in youth mental health, suicide prevention, crisis services, or related areas is preferred. Bilingual Spanish-English proficiency preferred.

Benefits

Compensation and benefits package includes generous time off, retirement, health coverage, education support, and optional offerings such as FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.