Please note: This is a part-time, term position.

The Children’s Learning Lab (CLL) is a highly supportive research group seeking a part-time Research Assistant (RA) to join our growing team. The RA is a key member managing the day-to-day functioning in the lab and reports directly to Dr. Bethany Rittle-Johnson, the Director of CLL and Professor in the Department of Psychology and Human Development. The RA will supervise the progress of ongoing research, manage undergraduate research assistant recruitment and supervision, establish and maintain new partnerships with partners on campus and beyond, collect cognitive and behavioral data with children, oversee data management, and analyze data. The RA will keep track of the daily details that are necessary for successful progress in all of the research studies conducted by lab members. These data collection efforts take place both in our research lab on campus and in the Nashville area. These research efforts include recruiting, interviewing, and training the undergraduate RAs needed to support all aspects of the research. In addition, the RA will assist with IRB and data management, data analysis, and writing up the research findings. Anticipate hiring someone for 20 hours per week, working 2.5 days a week.

About the Work Unit :

With a genealogy dating to a one-room Nashville schoolhouse in 1785, Peabody College today is a world-class college of education and human development. Our mission is to enhance the human condition, with a particular focus on children’s learning and development. We do this as we always have, through the preparation of teachers and leaders; through cycles of research, implementation, and refinement; through service to families, schools, and communities; and through external engagement with professionals, leaders, and policy-makers. Peabody’s focus on learning differences has helped to define the college, as has a reputation for empirical rigor in educational neuroscience; child, family, and community development; special education; the learning sciences; and educational leadership and policy. Peabody is devoted to creating opportunity in an increasingly diverse society and to solving large societal problems.

NOTE: A Term position is a staff position that exists for a period longer than six months but is not expected to last beyond one year. Although a position may exist for a specified or indefinite period, staff who accept term positions are not guaranteed employment for the entire period; they are employed for indefinite periods within the limit of the appointment. There are no guarantees of continued employment, either within the term or when the term ends.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain and file forms and documents, including consent forms and master study logs.
• Maintain IRB approval and monitor human subjects (CITI training) and Protection of Minors training for undergraduate Ras.
• Assist with the screening, recruiting, and obtaining consent of study participants.
• Ensure laboratory is prepared for experiments (maintain inventories, prepare correspondence, and documents for different studies).
• Maintain the lab website.
• Prepare, distribute, administer, and process behavioral and cognitive tests with children ages 3-16, score test measurements and questionnaires, and code data.
• Organize, review and verify accuracy of database information and assist in making necessary corrections according to specific guidelines.
Process study compensation payments and thank you letters to subjects upon completion of study activities, and assist with any post-study activities, as needed.

Supervisory Relationships

This position does have supervisory responsibility: the RA supervises the work of the undergraduate RAs. This position reports administratively and functionally to Dr. Bethany Rittle-Johnson.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a related discipline from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary
• Ability to learn quickly and work independently, with general guidance is necessary .
• Experience working with young children is necessary .
• Highly efficient and organized approach to work, with strong attention to detail and thoroughness is necessary .
• Ability to manage multiple tasks; exceptional time management skills is necessary .
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communicative skills, including the ability to function effectively as a team member and team leader is necessary .
• Experience working in a team environment, requiring participatory decision-making and cooperative interactions among undergraduate RAs is necessary .
• 1-2 years of research experience in a psychology lab or related field is strongly preferred.
Experience with R and Redcap is preferred .

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, 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, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

Vanderbilt is a community of talented and diverse staff & faculty!

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 through:

• Working and growing together as a community of communities... we are One Vanderbilt .
• Providing a work environment where every staff and faculty member can be their authentic and best self , while providing the resources and opportunities to learn and grow.
• Encouraging development, collaboration, and partnership both internally and externally while fostering the value that every member of the Vanderbilt community can lead and grow regardless of title or position.

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.

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Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University may require employees to comply with any testing or health and safety measures which the University may require.