The COMPARE Lab, directed by Dr. Erica Cartmill, is hiring 1 full-time Lab Manager (Laboratory Research Assistant). This position presents diverse opportunities to participate in cutting-edge cognitive science and developmental psychology research. The COMPARE Lab studies social cognition and communication in children, companion dogs, and zoo-housed great apes. The lab manager will manage the activities of the lab space on IU Bloomington campus, which include studies with children and dogs.
The lab manager will be involved in a variety of research projects on children and dogs, including studies examining understanding of others surprise, the impact positive affect has on cognition, attribution of mental states to other species, and the role of parent-child or caretaker-dog interactions on early cognitive development. The lab manager may also have opportunities to become involved in research on zoo-housed great apes if they are interested.
There will be opportunities to be involved in the dissemination of research through conference presentations, publications, and technical reports.
Job Summary
Department-Specific Responsibilities
Recruits families and dog owners to participate in research studies, including coordinating with preschool directors.
Recruits and schedules research participants, involving direct contact with parents and dog owners.
Assists with multiple aspects of the research process, including stimulus design and creation, recruiting, scheduling, data collection, coding, and analysis.
Organizes and participates in outreach activities.
Presents findings at collaborative lab meetings.
Manages IRB protocols.
Assists with research grant administration and accounting.
Organizes and participates in outreach activities.
Trains and supervises undergraduate research assistants.
Performs other duties as assigned.
General Responsibilities
Responsible for the initiation, monitoring, completion, and reporting of routine to moderately complex research studies.
Organizes and implements data review and analysis.
Oversees the proper handling of laboratory specimens including processes, shipping, storage, and documentation and transfer to designated central laboratories.
Conducts data quality assurance practices.
Prepares research summaries and assists in progress report development.
Maintains laboratory work areas and supply inventory.
Qualifications
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.
EDUCATION
Required
Bachelor's degree in science or health-related discipline (preferably in Psychology or Cognitive Science)
Preferred
Master's degree in related discipline
WORK EXPERIENCE
Preferred
1 year of research or teaching experience with children or animals (or equivalent experience)
Some Laboratory experience
Experience working with preschool or elementary-school-age children as a researcher or teacher
SKILLS
Required
Proficient communication skills
Maintains a high degree of professionalism
Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
Highly thorough and dependable
Preferred
Regularly requires the ability to effectively communicate
Ability to travel to off-site locations that may not be accessible by public transportation
Ability to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends to administer study protocols as necessary
Demonstrated experience with statistical software, such as R, to complete quantitative data analyses
Experience with computer programming (e.g., JavaScript, Python, C++, Ruby, R)
Working Conditions / Demands
The role regularly requires the ability to effectively communicate.
The role frequently requires the ability to move about the work environment and to position oneself to operate laboratory equipment effectively. The role requires the ability to move objects weighing up to 25 pounds and will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
Ability to travel to off-site locations that may not be accessible by public transportation.
Ability to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends to administer study protocols as necessary.
Additional Information
The minimum expected commitment is 2 years, with the possibility of extension depending on performance.
Work Location
Bloomington, Indiana
Advertised Salary
$18.26 to $19.23 per hour
Benefits Overview
For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
Health savings account with generous IU contributions
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
Basic group life insurance paid by IU
Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
Generous paid time off plans
Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
Employee assistance program (EAP)
Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.
Job Classification
Career Level: Intermediate
FLSA: Nonexempt
Job Function: Research
Job Family: Laboratory Research
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Posting Disclaimer
This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
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