Lab Manager (Full‑time) Position @ Infant Learning & Development Lab, University of Chicago

The Infant Learning & Development Lab at the University of Chicago is seeking a full-time Lab Manager to support laboratory-based research on infants’ and young children’s social understanding. The lab uses behavioral experimental methods, including online and in-lab paradigms such as eye-tracking and looking-time methods, to study how infants and children understand others’ intentions, perceptions, emotions, and social actions.

Job Description:

The Lab Manager will ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the Infant Learning & Development Lab. This role involves technical, administrative, regulatory, and supervisory support for scientific research projects. The Lab Manager will work closely with the PI, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, and research assistants, and will help maintain compliance with institutional, state, and federal research policies and procedures.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee communication with interested families and schedule participants for in-lab and online studies
• Interact with families and children in the lab or via Zoom, including conducting informed consent and debriefing procedures
• Maintain human subjects, hygiene, and safety procedures for laboratory research
• Manage Institutional Review Board (IRB) activities, including creating and amending protocols and submitting continuing reviews
• Manage lab funds, participant payments, supply orders, and other budget-related tasks
• Coordinate weekly lab meetings, lab member travel, and administrative operations
• Hire, supervise, and support undergraduate and MAPSS research assistants
• Approve and submit payroll for lab employees
• Assist with grant management, including application materials, annual reports, subaward payments, and budget preparation
• Provide technical and administrative support for research projects
• Collect, enter, and assist with analysis of research data
• Assist with preparation of reports, presentations, manuscripts, and other research documents
• Perform other related duties as needed

Required Qualifications:

• Vocational training, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience in a related field
• Knowledge and skills typically developed through 2–5 years of work experience in a related job discipline
• Strong organizational, leadership, time-management, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and support research operations effectively

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience in psychological and/or developmental research
• Research assistant experience; recent college graduates with RA experience are encouraged to apply
• Experience working with infants and children
• Experience working with research grants and IRB protocols
• Experience managing budgets and supervising research assistants
• Strong Microsoft Office and Google Drive skills
• Ability to troubleshoot technology-related problems
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with research assistants, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, administrators, and faculty

Salary/Compensation:

• Hourly pay range: $21.79 – $28.20
• Scheduled weekly hours: 37.5
• Benefits eligible
• Non-exempt position

Application Deadline:

• Not specified; applications reviewed on a rolling basis

How to Apply:

Click here to Apply