Lab Coordinator - Term

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of Dr. Brown-Schmidt, the Lab Coordinator is part of the Conversation Laboratory in Psychology and Human Development Department at Vanderbilt University and is responsible for coordinating and overseeing laboratory research. The Lab Coordinator will assist in supervising research assistants, stimulus development, experimental design, data collection and analysis, initial interpretation of results, preparation of publications, as well as other administrative tasks. The Lab Coordinator will be responsible for making sure the equipment in the lab is up to date and running correctly and will assist in coordination with the Dr. Duff Lab (at VUMC) once experiments have been prepared for running on patients and comparisons. The coordinator is a key contributor responsible for every aspect of research in the lab including recruiting participants, running participants, coding and analyzing data, supervising undergraduate assistants, and purchasing and maintaining lab equipment.

 

About the Work Unit:

The Peabody Department of Psychology and Human Development is a group of scholars who work to increase understanding of basic psychological functioning and neuropsychological development in family, school, and other social contexts.

 

Several programs, which are included in the Psychological Sciences major offered jointly with the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Science, include clinical science, cognitive and cognitive neuroscience, developmental science, neuroscience, and quantitative methods and evaluation. 

 

The department also is the home of Master of Science programs in Cognitive Psychology in Context and Quantitative Methods as well as undergraduate majors in Language Sciences, Cognitive Studies, and Child Studies. The research efforts of the department are focused on increasing understanding of basic psychological processes in different contexts. 

 

Department faculty are accomplished and nationally known. Many serve as editors of psychological journals, members of national review panels, and leaders in national organizations. All are authors of numerous scientific articles and chapters. While faculty members in Psychology share a common interest in psychological processes and their development, our specific interests and expertise are diverse. Some are committed to increasing understanding of basic psychological processes, while others emphasize implications for clinical, social, and educational issues. All are committed to building a diverse and inclusive department. 

 

The Conversation Lab in the Department of Psychology and Human Development investigates the cognitive and neural underpinnings of everyday language use including ongoing projects on conversation, language, perspective-taking, and the impact of brain damage on these processes.  The lab uses a variety of methods, including referential communication tasks, eye-tracking and visual world paradigms, research with patient populations, brain imaging, and reading experiments.

 

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT AND OUTREACH: Publicizing study, scheduling and consenting participants, attending various events in the community to disseminate our work. 


• ADMINISTERING COGNITIVE TESTING: Administering experiments as well as standardized cognitive tests. May require use of specialized computer software. 


• DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS: Data scoring and entry, data management, analyzing behavioral performance, and data quality checks. 


• SUPERVISING RESEARCH ASSISTANTS: Hiring new assistants, training and coordinating assistants that aid in various lab duties, such as administering experiments and coding. 


• VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES: Maintaining information technology, website, purchasing, cash advances and bookkeeping, coordinating visitors, facilitating and attending lab meetings. 


• ASSISTING WITH REPORTS: Helping with periodic review reports for Institutional Review Board and for granting agencies. Assist in preparation of research papers for publication. 


• Recruiting and running participants for studies in the lab.

• Coding and analyzing data

• Supervising undergraduate assistants

• Purchasing and maintaining lab equipment.

• Organizing lab resources including:

• Managing research assistant hours, lab meetings and the laboratory experimental schedule. 

• Managing IRB compliance forms and consent form paperwork.

• Helping to design studies and prepare stimuli.

• Assisting in grant and manuscript preparation.

• Keeping inventory of supplies and computer equipment.

 

Supervisory Relationships:

This position has supervisory responsibility managing undergraduate students who work in the lab. This position reports functionally to Sarah Brown-Schmidt and Melissa Duff at VUMC.

 

Education and Certifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.

 

Experience and Skills:

• Experience in coordinating behavioral research studies is necessary. 


• Experience with computer software including media, office, database and basic statistical applications is necessary. 


• Experience working in a research lab in Psychology or a related field is necessary. 

• Experience supervising research assistants is preferred. 


• Experience in institutional review board processes is preferred. 


• Experience overseeing personnel, excellent organizational and interpersonal skills is preferred.

• Skills in computer programming are preferred.

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.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity 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.