Please note: This is a full-time, term position.

The Children’s Learning Lab (CLL) and the Stress and Early Adversity (SEA) Lab are looking for a full time Research Assistant. For the CCL, the RA is a key member managing the day-to-day functioning in the lab and reports directly to Dr. Bethany Rittle-Johnson, the Director of CLL. The RA will supervise the progress of ongoing research, manage undergraduate research assistant recruitment and supervision, establish and maintain new partnerships with partners on campus and beyond, collect cognitive and behavioral data with children, oversee data management, and analyze data. The RA will keep track of the daily details that are necessary for successful progress in all of the research studies conducted by lab members. These data collection efforts take place both in our research lab on campus and in the Nashville area. These research efforts include recruiting, interviewing, and training the undergraduate RAs needed to support all aspects of the research. In addition, the RA will assist with IRB and data management, data analysis, and writing up the research findings.

For the SEA Lab, under the supervision of Dr. Humphreys, the individual in this position will be involved in leading participant data collection activities for multiple longitudinal research studies. Data collection for these studies involves acquisition of MRI data, laboratory-based parent–child interactions, home visits, in addition to interviews to assess mental health and exposure to stress and adversity. Additional duties may include supporting recruitment efforts, helping to schedule study visits, overseeing undergraduate and masters students, quality checking and auditing data collection, and providing administrative support for the study. This position will require work during the evenings and over the weekends to complete study visits and accommodate participant schedules. Experience gained in this position will be particularly useful for those hoping to continue working in a research environment, including pursuing a graduate degree.

About the Work Unit:

With a genealogy dating to a one-room Nashville schoolhouse in 1785, Peabody College today is a world-class college of education and human development. Our mission is to enhance the human condition, with a particular focus on children’s learning and development. We do this as we always have, through the preparation of teachers and leaders; through cycles of research, implementation, and refinement; through service to families, schools, and communities; and through external engagement with professionals, leaders, and policy-makers. Peabody’s focus on learning differences has helped to define the college, as has a reputation for empirical rigor in educational neuroscience; child, family, and community development; special education; the learning sciences; and educational leadership and policy. Peabody is devoted to creating opportunity in an increasingly diverse society and to solving large societal problems.

NOTE: A Term position is a staff position that exists for a period longer than six months but is not expected to last beyond one year. Although a position may exist for a specified or indefinite period, staff who accept term positions are not guaranteed employment for the entire period; they are employed for indefinite periods within the limit of the appointment. There are no guarantees of continued employment, either within the term or when the term ends.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Children’s Learning Lab:

• Maintain and file forms and documents, including consent forms and master study logs.
• Maintain IRB approval and monitor human subjects (CITI training) and Protection of Minors training for undergraduate Ras.
• Assist with the screening, recruiting, and obtaining consent of study participants.
• Ensure laboratory is prepared for experiments (maintain inventories, prepare correspondence, and documents for different studies).
• Maintain the lab website.
• Prepare, distribute, administer, and process behavioral and cognitive tests with children ages 3-16, score test measurements and questionnaires, and code data.
• Organize, review and verify accuracy of database information and assist in making necessary corrections according to specific guidelines.
• Process study compensation payments and thank you letters to subjects upon completion of study activities, and assist with any post-study activities, as needed.

Stress and Early Adversity Lab: 

• Lead study visits and data collection with children and caregivers in studies involving neuroimaging, clinical interviews, proximity and auditory in-home assessments, home visits, stress/adversity and mental health assessments, specimen collection.
• Ensure completion of study questionnaires and procedures, including follow up reminders for participants.
• Monitor participant communication ensuring a timely response 
• Support community engagement activities related to research studies
• Assist with recruitment and screening of participants
• Assist with scheduling for multiple complex (and multi-part) studies
• Plan and oversee training of undergraduate and masters-level research assistants, as needed
• Assist with transportation for study devices, as needed
• Perform general administrative duties to maintain the workings of the laboratory

Supervisory Relationships

This position does have supervisory responsibility: the RA supervises the work of the undergraduate RAs. This position reports administratively and functionally to Dr. Bethany Rittle-Johnson (CCL) and Dr. Kathryn Humphreys (SEA Lab).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a related discipline from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary
• Ability to learn quickly and work independently, with general guidance is necessary.
• Experience working with young children is necessary.
• Highly efficient and organized approach to work, with strong attention to detail and thoroughness is necessary.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks; exceptional time management skills is necessary.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communicative skills, including the ability to function effectively as a team member and team leader is necessary.
• Experience working in a team environment, requiring participatory decision-making and cooperative interactions among undergraduate RAs is necessary.
• 1-2 years of research experience in a psychology lab or related field is strongly preferred.
• Experience with R and Redcap is preferred.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. 

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.