Research Assistant

Job Description

The Research Assistant is a part of the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences, Division of Natural Sciences at Vanderbilt University and is a position that will help conduct behavioral, fMRI, and computationally motivated studies of human visual perception, attentional selection, object recognition, and medical image perception. The Research Tech will be responsible for helping with projects that rely on advanced techniques to characterize human vision and cognition, including visual psychophysics, high-resolution fMRI at 7 Tesla, multivariate and machine learning approaches, and deep learning approaches to characterize visual processing. Major ongoing projects include behavioral and fMRI studies of human visual perception, face and object recognition, visual attention and eye tracking, and studies of medical image perception in non-experts and expert radiologists. This position is very well suited for recent recipients of a BA/BS seeking to gain greater research experience before pursuing graduate studies or for those seeking to gain experience relevant to data science. Applicants should preferably have a background in neuroscience, psychology, computer science or engineering. Prior research experience and proficiency with computer programming (e.g., MATLAB, Python, C++) is highly preferred. The position will begin in the summer of 2024; precise start date is flexible.

About the Work Unit:

The Department of Psychology in the College of Arts & Science has faculty (both tenure and non-tenure lines) who are aligned within three specializations: clinical psychology, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, and neuroscience. We are first and foremost a research-oriented department, and our faculty comprises nationally and internationally recognized scholars in their fields of research. Our Undergraduate Program currently consists of nearly 160 undergraduate majors. Our approximately 40 Ph.D. students in the Department’s Graduate Program will join, upon graduation, alumni employed in public and private institutions and organizations, as well as in private practice.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinates research procedures, including the running of participants in behavioral, EEG and fMRI studies
• Engages in communication with participants regarding projects, including providing study information, answering questions, scheduling appointments, and following up to collect study-related information
• Drafts and aids in the development of project materials and protocols
• Prepares, submits and monitors Institutional Review Board materials
• Collects, organizes and evaluates study data
• Conducts data entry, maintenance, organization and storage of data within research platforms and project files
• Updates and organizes study-related forms, cash payment of participants, and logging of relevant participant and study information
• Prepares basic statistical, qualitative and quantitative analyses of research data, including the analysis of behavioral, EEG, and fMRI data
• Helps with modification of existing computer programs to implement studies and data analyses
• Prepare materials for Presentations, Publications and Proposals
• Conducts literature reviews
• Participates in writing sections for scientific manuscripts and grant proposals
• Develops study-related documents (consent forms, fliers, questionnaires, etc.) to ensure that they are culturally sensitive and written at an appropriate level of health literacy
• Reads professional journals and attends lab meetings, seminars, and relevant conferences
• Participates in and maintains certifications required by Vanderbilt, the department and funding sponsors
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  
  

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility. This position reports administratively to the Administrative Manager and functionally to the PI.

Education and Certifications:

A Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution of higher education is necessary. A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology, Anthropology or Primatology is preferred.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills with close attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to interact in an effective, positive and appropriate manner with diverse populations.
• Proven commitment to maintaining confidentiality of records and information and an excellent understanding of the compliance obligations associated with IRB/HIPPA.
• Proven experience with statistics (e.g. college level course) and the basics of using Excel software is preferred.
  
  
  

Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit:

Analytical and Detail Oriented

Autonomous

Creative Thinking

Honest and Transparent

Resilient

Strong Communication Skills

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 employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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.

About Us

Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty!

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:

• Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt.
• 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.
• 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.

Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University may require employees to comply with any testing or health and safety measures which the University may require.