Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The primary purpose of the Psychology and Neuroscience Department is to provide excellent education, research and service in the field. This goal breaks down into four important components: 1) to teach psychology and neuroscience to undergraduates in a manner that will introduce them vigorously to its broad scope; 2) to offer scientific and professional training to graduate students in the areas of behavioral and integrative neuroscience, clinical, cognitive, developmental, quantitative, and social psychology; 3) to carry out cutting-edge research in these areas, and 4) to provide consulting and administrative support services to the science and profession of psychology as well as to the university, the community, the state, and the nation.
The Department consists of six programs: behavioral and integrative neuroscience; clinical psychology; cognitive psychology; developmental psychology; quantitative psychology, and social psychology. Each program is designed to acquaint the student thoroughly with the theoretical and research content of the specialty and to provide training in the research skills needed to become a competent and creative investigator. In addition, the programs focus on the development of appropriate professional skills.
The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience ranks 2nd in the College in grant funding with over $12 million annually in grant expenditures and approximately $20 million annually in expenditures from all funds. The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience has the largest undergraduate major in the College of Arts and Sciences with approximately 1500 majors, and one of the largest graduate Ph.D. programs with approximately 120 graduate students. The Department is also home to four community clinics which generate fee revenue (Adult Clinic, Anxiety Clinic, Child and Family Clinic, Couples Clinic), known collectively as the UNC Psychology and Neuroscience Community Clinic (the Clinic).
Position Summary
This position is located in the Psychology and Neuroscience Department within the College of Arts and Science. The primary purpose of this position is to advance the funded research of Dr. Margaret Sheridan and assist in lab management. Specifically, this position will manage two federally-funded projects, the Wellness, Health, and Life Experiences (WHALE) study, and the Study of Toddler to Teenage Aversity and Resilience (STTAR).
The purpose of the WHALE study is to identify mechanisms through which adversity comes to impact risk for psychopathology in early childhood. The objective of the STTAR project is to follow a group of individuals currently in adolescence and early adulthood who were originally recruited when they were between 2-5 years of age.
The Research Specialist will plan, organize, conduct, and evaluate research related to Dr. Sheridan’s two funded projects in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience through lab organization, data collection, documentation, and analysis. Responsibilities for the position will include, but are not limited to, providing support to research assistants in the administration of ongoing study procedures, assisting with research protocol development, data collection, data management, participant retention, and coordination of the laboratory’s undergraduate research assistants (including instruction and training). This position is responsible for carrying out human subjects-related research tasks following established procedures and must have the ability to plan and coordinate methods and techniques to meet research and project objectives, including project resources and methodology of data collection. In addition, the person with this job will maintain, amend, and monitor the IRBs for all the studies in the lab. They will be the primary point person for all research assistants with regards to IRB amendments, purchasing, and renumerating participants.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the field assigned and one year of related training or experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
This position will require some prior job experience conducting human subjects research involving face-to-face interactions with participants in a laboratory setting; excellent professionalism, organizational, and customer service skills; and excellent interpersonal, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The candidate must be comfortable using modern technology platforms for communication and collaboration (e.g., Zoom, Webex, Microsoft Office products, email, social media, Qualtrics).
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Prior experience conducting human subject research with children and/or young adults is preferred. Preferred qualifications also include one to two years’ experience in a research/project coordinator role.
Required Licenses/Certifications
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Position/Schedule Requirements