This position includes actively supporting a NIH funded project on personal space regulation in psychosis-spectrum conditions. The responsibilities include general psychological lab management including IRB applications, subject recruitment, data management, psychological testing and collecting data on experimental tasks.  Tasks may also include serving as the contact person for collaborating laboratories and supervising undergraduate students. Reporting directly to the Principal Investigator, the Research Assistant will be a contact person for the laboratory. This is an excellent position for those who would like to gain research experiences prior to applying to graduate or medical schools.

About the Work Unit: 

The internationally renowned Department of Psychology houses several award-winning professors who are distinguished scholars in their respective fields and who are dedicated to providing world-class education and training to our undergraduate and graduate students. While our course curriculum encompasses all of the sub-disciplines of Psychology, the research of our faculty centers around three major areas: Clinical Science, Cognition and Cognitive Neurosciences, and Neuroscience. 

Key Functions and Expected Performance: 

Position Description 

Job responsibilities listed herein are intended to be a thorough representation of the duties, responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications for this specific role at the time of hire but should not be considered all-encompassing as actual responsibilities may evolve to include additional duties as assigned based on organizational and operational needs. 

• Active recruitment of participants
• Schedule participants 
• Manage participant payments
• Conduct psychological tests after training.
• Collect data on experimental tasks
• Manage IRB
• Organizing the lab's computers and software 
• Demonstrate an understanding of methods and techniques. 
• Provide appropriate written documentation of laboratory procedures. 
• Serve as the contact person for collaborating labs at Vanderbilt.
• Willingness to work some weekends, some holidays, and overtime if needed (with overtime pay) as some participants may not be available during the week. 

Supervisory Relationships: 

This position will require some supervision of undergraduate students in the lab (e.g. overseeing their work schedule, assigning tasks)

Education and Certifications: 

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience or related fields

Experience and Skills: 

Knowledge of experimental psychology, knowledge of some coding (e.g. Matlab, Python or other), some experience with clinical science would be helpful but not required. 

Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit: 

Analytical & Detail Oriented; flexibility; social skills & empathy; Honest and Transparent; motivated and hardworking;  excellent writing  and communication skills

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.