The Medina Lab in the Department of Psychology at Emory University studies how we represent our bodies and the space around us. The lab uses a variety of cognitive neuroscientific techniques, including detailed cognitive examinations of individuals with brain damage, experiments with neurologically intact individuals, and non-invasive brain stimulation (transcranial magnetic stimulation). This position is ideal for someone who wants to gain research experience before entering graduate school and someone who is keenly interested in cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology, cognitive psychology and/or brain stimulation. We do quite a bit of research with interesting perceptual illusions, embodiment, and case studies – if that interests you, apply!

Please provide a cover letter, CV, and contact information for 3 references. Apply here.

A detailed job description is below.

Under the general direction of the Principal Investigator, the Research Specialist will oversee the day-to-day activities of the lab. These responsibilities include ensuring that all research protocols are adhered to, recruiting, scheduling and testing participants, obtaining brain scans, and recording, analyzing, and interpreting research data. The Research Specialist is also responsible for the supervision of the undergraduate researchers involved in the lab.

Responsibilities:

• Uses scientific training and independent judgment to plan, schedule, and carry out day-to-day activities, procedures and research studies, ensuring efficient workflow and adequate care and treatment of research participants.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of protocols, procedures, and techniques relating to all aspects of research.
  Uses computer-based statistical and graphic programs and techniques to analyze and interpret data. Provides initial analyses of results to the Principal Investigator.
• Makes suggestions for improvements in techniques and interpretation, as appropriate. Keeps all lab data properly recorded, organized and stored for easy retrieval by researcher and research/accounting auditors, and to ensure data integrity, quality control, and protocol compliance.
• Establishes and adheres to appropriate data collection systems and procedures, according to pre-established research protocol; coordinates and monitors the collection, processing, and recording of data, as required by established study protocol.
• Manages compliance with human subject protocols. Coordinates participant visits. Explains all procedures to participants in accordance with University and federal protocol for working with human research participants and obtains their written consent to participate. Maintains strong working relationships with participating individuals.
• Oversees fiscal management by managing payments to study participants and monitoring supply inventories. Coordinates and assists in organizing lab events and outreach.
• Provides specialized training and supervises undergraduate research assistants on all areas of the research. Delegates work according to the individuals’ skills, knowledge, and abilities.
• Clearly explains work assignments. Establishes and communicates fully successful performance criteria. Provides timely and specific feedback. Serves as collaborator in the preparation of co-authored manuscripts and conference presentations. Contacts area hospitals, stroke support groups, and other sources to recruit brain-damaged individuals. Coordinates with other departments at Emory University that also work with brain-damaged individuals. Maintains a lab website and wiki.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, computer science, or related field with at least one year related experience working or volunteering in a psychology or neuroscience lab; or any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved.
• Knowledge and understanding of experimental procedure, data collection, and analysis.
  Ability to analyze research methodology, protocol and procedures and make recommendations for improvements and modifications.
• Ability to develop and follow research methodology and protocol. Ability to adapt standard procedures, facilities and/or equipment to meet specific operational needs. Ability to make decisions in the field and/or at professional conferences without direct supervisor oversight, when appropriate.
• Effective communication, human relations, and listening skills. Ability to collaborate with students, faculty and/or staff in a team environment. Ability to supervise and train staff, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments preferred.
• Ability to use computer applications to design and implement cognitive psychological studies.
  Ability to use statistical software packages to analyze data. Experience with SPSS, R, or other statistical software packages.
• Skill in the use of computer applications for writing papers, making presentations, and designing figures (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop).