Research Assistant Position @ American University, Washington DC

 The Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory at American University, located in Washington DC and directed by Dr. Laurie Bayet (https://www.bayetlab.com/), is currently accepting applications for a full-time, benefits-eligible Research Assistant position to assist on NSF and foundation-funded funded projects investigating infant visual cognition and social communication (e.g., NSF award # 2122961). The lab uses electro-encephalography (EEG), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), behavioral measures, and machine learning. The position is ideal for an individual seeking to deepen their research experience in preparation for graduate study.

Responsibilities:

• Data Management: Assisting with data collection in adherence with study protocols, such as: informed consent, EEG, fNIRS, and/or eye-tracking measurements, transferring research data files to the lab server. 
• Participant Recruitment and Support: Outreach, recruitment, and communication with families who participate in the research, such as: designing and implementing outreach/recruitment materials, assessing study eligibility, scheduling study visits, maintaining contact with participating families.
• Data Entry and Processing: Conduct data entry, data pre-processing, video coding, and data management, in adherence with study protocols.
• Personnel: Onboarding and supervision of undergraduate research assistants.
• Study General Support: Assisting with designing and implementing experimental procedures, such as: creating and validating stimuli, surveys, and/or paradigms; monitoring materials and supplies.
• Compliance: Develop and monitor IRB protocols for approval, modification, or renewal.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor. Opportunity to contribute to conference presentations and/or manuscript writing, if desired.

Qualifications:

Minimum

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1-3 years' relevant experience, such as undergraduate research experience, is required.
• Demonstrated interest in developmental psychology, cognitive science, and/or cognitive neuroscience required, such as from undergraduate coursework or research experience.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills are required, including initiative, self-motivation, rigor, attention to details, ability to work independently on multiple tasks, ability to learn new skills in a fast-paced environment, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required, including comfort interacting professionally with families, infants, and undergraduate students, and ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Prior experience in developmental research (e.g., with infants/children) and/or human neuroimaging research (e.g., EEG, MEG, fNIRS) which may include undergraduate research experience (strongly preferred, but not strictly required if has some other relevant research experience).
• Flexibility to adapt to changing hours, such as the ability to run study visits with families during weekends, or occasionally during the evening, is required.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology or Neuroscience or closely related field preferred.
• Computational skills and programming experience in Matlab, R, and/or Python preferred, but not strictly required.
• Relevant experience with neuroscience/psychology research tools (e.g., NetStation, Psychtoolbox, Datavyu, Children Helping Science, EEGLAB, Homer, BIDS), data analysis, data processing, manuscript preparation, and/or social media or community outreach a plus.
• The ability to start as early as January 2025 and the intention to make a 2-years commitment are strongly preferred.

Click here to Apply