Research Assistant, FACE Lab

About the Role

Research Assistant for an NIH-funded project at the FACE Lab at Emerson College. The project aims to identify language and communication markers that can predict conversational success and satisfaction among autistic and non-autistic adolescents. This is a grant-funded position with a minimum commitment of two years. Future commitments beyond the initial two years are contingent on continuation of grant funding.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment and data collection with autistic and non-autistic individuals and their families.
• Participate in regular meetings with partner labs at CHOP and UConn to provide status updates and adjust research task priorities.
• Implement data processing methods, priorities, and timelines established by the research team.
• Create online surveys, implement data processing or exporting pipelines, and create associated documentation.
• Organize and maintain data, IRB protocols, backup systems, and documentation.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of student research assistants and maintain the lab schedule.
• Provide general administrative support for the project.
• Support day-to-day operations of the project, including interactions with partners at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Connecticut (UConn).
• Acquire expertise in software programs, including ELAN.
• Manage student research assistants and support all aspects of data collection and processing.
• Provide administrative, logistical, and scheduling support to the Lab Director and Post-Doctoral Fellow.
• Coordinate activities and communication with partners at CHOP and UConn.
• Perform other miscellaneous duties as assigned.
• Growth opportunities in writing abstracts and presenting research at conferences.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Minimum commitment: Two years.
• Experience using statistical and other research software, such as R/R Studio, Redcap, and Qualtrics or QuestionPro strongly preferred.
• Expertise in ELAN.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Child Development, Cognitive Science, Communication Disorders, or a related field required.
• 1-3 years of previous experience working with children with autism or other developmental disorders strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• High level of emotional intelligence.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills.
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills required.

Physical Abilities

• Generally sedentary in nature, with movement throughout the area required from time to time.
• Ability to have continuous oral and written communication with co-workers and supervisors is essential.
• Repetitive movements, occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds, reaching, lifting, stooping, and the ability to read a computer screen, detect color-coding, and read fine print.

Work Environment

• General office conditions.
• Exposed to moderate noise levels.

Compensation

• Hiring range: $22.85 - $27.40, commensurate with experience.