Research associate psychology education at Stanford University Stanford, CA
Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
POSITION SUMMARY
We are seeking a conscientious, intrinsically motivated research assistant to join a unique, large‑scale, grant‑funded intervention project exploring the psychology and neuroscience of open‑mindedness in political contexts. This position is ideal for a post‑baccalaureate individual interested in social psychology, neuroscience, and the intersection of these fields with the study of social conflict. The project will investigate the psychological and neural bases of openness to differing viewpoints and apply scientific theory to address some of today’s most pressing social challenges—encouraging open‑mindedness, overcoming bias blind spots, and fostering empathy and understanding across social‑political divides.
You will work closely with Principal Investigator Geoffrey Cohen and an interdisciplinary team of renowned researchers, including Janine Dutcher, David Creswell, David Sherman, Valerie Purdie‑Greenaway, and others.
The role involves coordinating and conducting a large‑scale, in‑person research study. You will be responsible for creating behavioral stimuli, recruiting participants from both the campus and local community, coding behavioral experiments for implementation in an fMRI scanner, guiding participants through the fMRI process, managing and cleaning data, and assisting with data analysis.
While prior experience with fMRI studies is preferred, it is not required. However, you must be eager to invest the time needed to learn these skills. Additionally, you should have the necessary coding experience to program behavioral experiments.
This position is a 1‑year fixed‑term appointment based on Stanford University’s main campus. Consideration will be given to a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite work), subject to operational needs, but generally the project requires you to be physically present on campus.
CORE DUTIES:
Coordinate and schedule meetings with interdisciplinary researchers
Collaborate with a diverse team of scholars, integrating insights from psychology, neuroscience, and political science. This includes meeting one‑on‑one with project team members and incorporating their perspectives into summaries and action plans.
Review relevant research in social psychology and neuroscience to inform design of our studies
Run psychological and neuroscience experiments, including participant recruitment and scheduling
Code and analyze behavioral data using Python/Matlab
Contribute to the development and execution of novel interventions aimed at fostering open‑mindedness
Help oversee data management and help process neuroimaging data (training available)
Project/grant administrative tasks: writing project updates, budgetary, seeking further grant opportunities, submitting IRB updates/renewals, managing administrative and bureaucratic processes that are part of a large‑scale grant project.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in social psychology, cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, computer science, or a related field
Proficiency in coding (e.g., Python, Matlab, R, or shell scripting)
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Strong interpersonal skills for participant recruitment and working with community samples
Ability to self‑manage and handle multiple aspects of a large‑scale project
Exceptional attention to detail and work ethic, with a strong ability to complete complex projects efficiently
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience with fMRI or neuroimaging data acquisition and analysis
Familiarity with Linux OS
Experience with academic writing and publication
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Motivated, self‑starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a team
Knowledge of research design and statistical analysis
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Constantly perform desk‑based computer tasks.
Frequent sitting.
Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, kneel/crawl.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
May be exposed to blood borne pathogens.
May be required to work non‑standard, extended or weekend hours in support of research work.
WORK STANDARDS:
Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide.
PLEASE NOTE:
We are not able to provide sponsorship or relocation for this position.
Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to working at Stanford University.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the US. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
The expected pay range for this position is
$31.40 - $33.65
per hour. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at stanfordelr@stanford.edu. For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and 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, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
We are seeking a conscientious, intrinsically motivated research assistant to join a unique, large‑scale, grant‑funded intervention project exploring the psychology and neuroscience of open‑mindedness in political contexts. This position is ideal for a post‑baccalaureate individual interested in social psychology, neuroscience, and the intersection of these fields with the study of social conflict. The project will investigate the psychological and neural bases of openness to differing viewpoints and apply scientific theory to address some of today’s most pressing social challenges—encouraging open‑mindedness, overcoming bias blind spots, and fostering empathy and understanding across social‑political divides.
You will work closely with Principal Investigator Geoffrey Cohen and an interdisciplinary team of renowned researchers, including Janine Dutcher, David Creswell, David Sherman, Valerie Purdie‑Greenaway, and others.
The role involves coordinating and conducting a large‑scale, in‑person research study. You will be responsible for creating behavioral stimuli, recruiting participants from both the campus and local community, coding behavioral experiments for implementation in an fMRI scanner, guiding participants through the fMRI process, managing and cleaning data, and assisting with data analysis.
While prior experience with fMRI studies is preferred, it is not required. However, you must be eager to invest the time needed to learn these skills. Additionally, you should have the necessary coding experience to program behavioral experiments.
This position is a 1‑year fixed‑term appointment based on Stanford University’s main campus. Consideration will be given to a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite work), subject to operational needs, but generally the project requires you to be physically present on campus.
CORE DUTIES:
Coordinate and schedule meetings with interdisciplinary researchers
Collaborate with a diverse team of scholars, integrating insights from psychology, neuroscience, and political science. This includes meeting one‑on‑one with project team members and incorporating their perspectives into summaries and action plans.
Review relevant research in social psychology and neuroscience to inform design of our studies
Run psychological and neuroscience experiments, including participant recruitment and scheduling
Code and analyze behavioral data using Python/Matlab
Contribute to the development and execution of novel interventions aimed at fostering open‑mindedness
Help oversee data management and help process neuroimaging data (training available)
Project/grant administrative tasks: writing project updates, budgetary, seeking further grant opportunities, submitting IRB updates/renewals, managing administrative and bureaucratic processes that are part of a large‑scale grant project.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in social psychology, cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, computer science, or a related field
Proficiency in coding (e.g., Python, Matlab, R, or shell scripting)
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Strong interpersonal skills for participant recruitment and working with community samples
Ability to self‑manage and handle multiple aspects of a large‑scale project
Exceptional attention to detail and work ethic, with a strong ability to complete complex projects efficiently
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience with fMRI or neuroimaging data acquisition and analysis
Familiarity with Linux OS
Experience with academic writing and publication
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Motivated, self‑starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a team
Knowledge of research design and statistical analysis
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Constantly perform desk‑based computer tasks.
Frequent sitting.
Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, kneel/crawl.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
May be exposed to blood borne pathogens.
May be required to work non‑standard, extended or weekend hours in support of research work.
WORK STANDARDS:
Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide.
PLEASE NOTE:
We are not able to provide sponsorship or relocation for this position.
Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to working at Stanford University.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the US. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
The expected pay range for this position is
$31.40 - $33.65
per hour. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at stanfordelr@stanford.edu. For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and 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, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr