Lab Manager Position @ UIC

Title Research Associate II (Lab Manager) – Psychology Department

Description

The Future, Learning, And MEmory (FLAME) Lab (new to The University of Illinois Chicago as of Fall 2023, PI: Christine Coughlin) seeks a full-time Research Assistant II (Lab Manager) to ideally begin in January 2024. Lab studies will examine neurocognitive development, with a special emphasis on how children acquire the ability to flexibly form and use memories as building blocks for other abilities, including future event imagination, creative problem solving, and reasoning. The successful candidate will work closely with Dr. Christine Coughlin to support the growth of the lab. This will include carrying out a variety of research and administrative tasks to conduct developmental studies (using a combination of behavioral and neuroimaging methods) and build lab infrastructure, help train and lead undergraduate research assistants, and foster connections with the broader Chicago community. This position is ideal for those interested in applying to graduate school and/or a career in experimental psychology as it will provide hands-on training, a vibrant and diverse intellectual community within UIC’s Psychology Department, and the opportunity to present at conferences / co-author publications as appropriate.  

This position requires a minimum commitment of 1.5 years. The salary is USD 45,000 plus benefits. The successful candidate will work primarily on site and will spend some weekend/evening hours assisting with experimental sessions and outreach events. Individuals from all backgrounds are welcome to apply, and those from backgrounds unrepresented in science are especially encouraged to do so. 

Position Responsibilities

• Coordinating participant recruitment and community outreach events
• Assisting with literature reviews, study design, and stimulus construction
• Coordinating and assisting data collection from child (ages 5-12), adolescent, and adult participants (including behavioral, eye-tracking, and neuroimaging studies)  
• Training and supervising undergraduate research assistants
• Overseeing secure data management and assisting with behavioral and neuroimaging data analysis
• Collaborating on conference presentations and manuscripts
• Overseeing day-to-day lab tasks and administration, including drafting/submitting IRB materials and ensuring their compliance, maintenance of budgets, ordering and maintaining supplies, communications with other labs and community entities, and helping with website management

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social science or related field  
• Minimum of one year related research experience
• Knowledge of research concepts, practices, and procedures  

Preferred Qualifications

• A good team player committed to creating a positive lab culture
• Ability to work well independently, with other researchers, and with children and their families
• Strong multi-tasking, organizational, and verbal/written communication skills
• Knowledge of experimental methods used to study neurocognitive development
• Experience with study design, stimulus construction, data management, and/or statistical analysis (especially with respect to neuroimaging and/or eye-tracking studies)
• Strong computer skills and the presence of, or an interest in acquiring, programming experience (e.g., coding in python, matlab, or R)  

To Apply

Please submit an online application at the UIC Job Board (https://uic.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/6808?c=uic) and upload a cover letter (1-page maximum explaining why you are interested in the position and why you think you would be a good fit), CV, and the names/email addresses of three references for possible contact. Applications are due by Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 5 PM (Central Time). Applications received after this date will only be reviewed if a successful candidate was not identified during the first review period. Application questions can be directed to ccoughli@uic.edu. See the following websites for more information about the lab’s research, the Psychology Department, and UIC:

• Research Website of Dr. Christine Coughlin (https://christinecoughlin.com/)
• Psychology Department Website (https://psch.uic.edu/)
• University of Illinois Chicago website (https://www.uic.edu/)

University Pre-Employment Information

The University of Illinois Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or disability status. The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, see the HR website.