TRiCAM Laboratory Research Specialist

About the Job

The Translational Research in Cognitive and Affective Mechanisms (TRiCAM) laboratory in the University of Minnesota Department of Psychology seeks to hire a Research Specialist (8351SM: Research Professional 1-Social Science-Multidisciplinary) responsible for conducting human psychological research and coordinating scholars (to include students and other scientists) affiliated with the laboratory.

Major Responsibilities

• Participant recruitment (35%): Recruit research participants and manage their progression through a research protocol, including participants who come from psychiatric populations, such as those with psychosis. Contact individuals by telephone, email, Zoom, and via online recruitment platforms like Prolific; encourage current and potential new research participants to engage in the research protocol, which may consist of the participant assessment steps described below, including clinical and cognitive assessments, behavioral and electroencephalography (EEG) testing, and follow-up of participants. Schedule participants to complete the study and arrange associated logistical support (e.g., mailings, parking, payment).
• Participant assessment (35%): Conduct clinical interviews with participants, which includes sensitive information assessing capacity to consent, assessing mental and physical health history, and gathering information on a participant’s medication, resource utilization, and other general history. Support EEG data acquisition. Aid in setting participants up for EEG data collection, including providing participants with drug tests and breathalyzer alcohol tests, performing a vision test, fitting participants with an EEG cap, and confirming that appropriate data can be collected. Track the progress of research participants through the study protocol by monitoring database reports and current participant status.
• Lab administration (20%): Assist in the management of institutional review board, federal and other regulatory compliance correspondence (10%), including adding, updating and removing study personnel, training materials, instruments, advertisements, and other recruitment materials. Annually update the IRB’s database with recruitment progress and other accomplishments from the past year. Facilitate communication between laboratory collaborators and other scientists. Attend and participate in regular lab meetings.
• Data analysis (10%): Conduct quantitative analyses of relevant raw data and database queries, including participating in inter-rater reliability meetings, and maintaining and analyzing demographic data on the sample as it is being recruited to ensure research control alignment with the participant sample. Flag issues in need of further attention by the PI or other research personnel. Prepare relevant reports, such as for internal and external scientific meetings and regulatory requirements, such as making tables of sample demographic information, or statistical tests of group differences or relationship between symptom measures and cognitive functions.

Appointment

The appointment is a 100%-time, 12-month civil-service position with possibility of reappointment annually until project aims are completed. Salary is competitive and commensurate with education and experience.

Qualifications

• Essential Qualifications: BA/BS in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience or a related area, or a combination of related education and work experience to equal 4 years. Proficiency in common computer applications, including word processing and spreadsheets; Experience in applying skills and attention to recurring tasks with an emphasis on precision and timeliness; Capacity for performing structured research-related work assignments following established procedures and guidelines under supervision, such as statistical analyses using SPSS/R or equivalent; Ideal candidates will have a demonstrated capacity for quantitative analyses, including statistical software or statistical databases; Capacity to engage respectfully with clients presenting with behavioral or mental health concerns.
• Preferred Qualifications: Coursework in Cognitive or Psychopathology; Experience administering clinical and cognitive assessments with participants; Experience in electroencephalographic (EEG) recording systems and/or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI); Experience with social media and other web-based applications.

About the Department

TRiCAM Laboratory
Dr. MacDonald's Translational Research in Cognitive and Affective Mechanisms (TRiCAM) laboratory is a research laboratory within the Department of Psychology, a division of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota. We explore the numerous problems that come from this simple question, including basic cognitive and affective studies, clinical studies, and studies that develop new scientific methods.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $23.81 to $25.00 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience
Time Appointment: 100% Appointment
Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Required application materials

• resume and cover letter.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.