What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Technician Associate position at University of Michigan?
How to Apply
A detailed cover letter is required for consideration when applying for this position and should be uploaded via the UM Careers website as the first page(s) of a single, electronic document of application materials that also includes your CV or resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline your skills and experience that directly relate to the duties described below.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Job Summary
The Social Minds Lab, directed by Prof. Felix Warneken, and the Cognitive Evolution Group, directed by Dr. Alexandra Rosati, are hiring a full-time Research Technician Associate to work in both labs on research projects in developmental and comparative psychology (50% Social Minds Lab, 50% Cognitive Evolution Group). Responsibilities include but are not limited to: child and adult participant recruitment and scheduling on site; testing human participants in the lab, museums, and online; testing primates at off-campus research sites; using advanced video coding technology; managing animal and human subject ethics protocols; and active participation in research with children, adults, and nonhuman primates. The position also requires supervising undergraduate assistants in research and working closely with graduate students and postdocs. For more information on the two labs, located in a joint research space on campus, please visit this website: https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/warneken/ and https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/cognitive-evolution/
Responsibilities*
Benefits
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
The salary range is $31,200 to $33,900. Please note a higher salary may be offered based on equity and the selected candidate's experience. This is a 12-month term-limited position with the possibility of renewal. The anticipated start date is June 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Questions about this position can be directed to [email protected]
As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit https://lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.
A detailed cover letter is required for consideration when applying for this position and should be uploaded via the UM Careers website as the first page(s) of a single, electronic document of application materials that also includes your CV or resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline your skills and experience that directly relate to the duties described below.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Job Summary
The Social Minds Lab, directed by Prof. Felix Warneken, and the Cognitive Evolution Group, directed by Dr. Alexandra Rosati, are hiring a full-time Research Technician Associate to work in both labs on research projects in developmental and comparative psychology (50% Social Minds Lab, 50% Cognitive Evolution Group). Responsibilities include but are not limited to: child and adult participant recruitment and scheduling on site; testing human participants in the lab, museums, and online; testing primates at off-campus research sites; using advanced video coding technology; managing animal and human subject ethics protocols; and active participation in research with children, adults, and nonhuman primates. The position also requires supervising undergraduate assistants in research and working closely with graduate students and postdocs. For more information on the two labs, located in a joint research space on campus, please visit this website: https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/warneken/ and https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/cognitive-evolution/
Responsibilities*
- Active research, Preparing and running child and adult studies
- Assisting in nonhuman-primate research and data collection in field contexts
- Using video coding technology according to established lab protocols to score human or nonhuman-primate behavior
- Administratively managing animal and human subjects research ethics protocols (IACUC and IRB) by adding new researchers/students to approved protocols
- Supervising/training new lab members, including undergraduate Assistants in Research, on research and coding protocols in the lab
- Building and maintaining infrastructure, recruitment of families; maintaining a child database; maintaining a primate database; communications with other labs
- Working as an assistant according to established research protocols with students, postdoctoral researchers, or the PI at several national and international primate field sites
- High school diploma or Associate's degree
- At least 1 year of research experience
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
- Some experience conducting behavioral research with children or animals
- Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Anthropology, Biology, or a related field
- Ability to use or learn essential software for research, including statistical software, Microsoft Office, the behavioral coding software INTERACT, and the data management software FileMakerPro, and video editing.
- Experience working with parents and children.
- Experience with animal cognition research or observational/behavioral research, including in field conditions
Benefits
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off, including vacation time, sick time, holiday and season days
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
- Strong commitment to work/life balance
- Flexible work arrangements with respect to campus stakeholder needs
- Enhanced tuition support programs for LSA courses
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
The salary range is $31,200 to $33,900. Please note a higher salary may be offered based on equity and the selected candidate's experience. This is a 12-month term-limited position with the possibility of renewal. The anticipated start date is June 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Questions about this position can be directed to [email protected]
As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit https://lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Salary : $31,200 - $33,900