The Psychology department at the University of Denver is a highly collaborative, research-oriented department that values interdisciplinary perspectives (see www.du.edu/psychology for more information). The University of Denver is guided by a vision to be a great private university dedicated to the public good. DU values inclusive excellence, recognizing that its success is dependent on how well it values, engages and includes the rich diversity of constituents (to learn more, please visit http://www.du.edu/cme/ie_du.html). Students and faculty in the Psychology Department actively contribute to these goals through scholarship, teaching, and service. DU is situated in the Denver metro area, a vibrant and diverse urban center in the Rocky Mountain region that is home to nearly 2.6 million people. DUs urban location supports faculty collaboration across a number of local universities. DU is comprised of approximately 5000 undergraduates, 6500 graduate students, and more than 600 full-time faculty.
Position Summary
The position will be shared between the labs of Dr. Kamilah Legette and Dr. Erika Manczak (The Biology, Environments, and Mood Studies (BEAMS) Lab; http://www.du.edu/ahss/psychology/beams-lab) at the University of Denver. Dr. Legette’s lab conducts research regarding teachers’ beliefs and emotions related to race and associations with school disparities (e.g., discipline) and student outcomes (e.g, identity). The BEAMS lab conducts research regarding social and biological contributors to mental health in children and families, with an emphasis on understanding depressive symptoms in adolescents and parents and considering biological processes associated with the immune system. The main purpose of this position is to provide research and logistical support to both labs by assisting at a high level in research projects. This will include collecting and analyzing data using observational, behavioral, biological, and clinical techniques (including phlebotomy and clinical interviewing), managing and analyzing datasets, and recruiting and screening study participants. The ideal applicant should enjoy problem-solving, organization, and the implementation of efficient, long-term solutions. As this position is shared between two labs, applicants should be comfortable managing multiple simultaneous projects and competing priorities to effectively complete tasks in a timely manner.
This is a full-time position that comes with DU’s full benefits package. The schedule requires the ability to work with availability during business hours as well as occasional evening/weekend availability. Initial contract will be for one year, with additional years possible pending mutual agreement and funding. This position is ideal for candidates with interests in applying to graduate school in the future, although the depth or breadth of this involvement will be in accordance with the employee’s long-term career goals and abilities. This position is for one year, with continuation contingent on continued faculty and /or grant funding, need, and performance.
Essential Functions
Coordinating, overseeing, and assisting with data collection, administering laboratory tasks in-person and remotely using online platforms related to emotion and teachers’ discipline practices, ; conducting psychosocial assessments (e.g., questionnaires and interviews); hiring and managing undergraduate research assistants; setting up and overseeing lab facilities including Mac and PC workstations, installing software, setting up hardware, and troubleshooting computer-related issues; gathering, organizing and maintaining centralized laboratory information, including lab websites; and assisting with IRB, training, and financial management. Applicants should have prior experience conducting psychological research, including in participant recruitment, data collection, data storage and cleaning, and basic data analysis to provide support for these activities and to independently perform them. The person in this role will also engage in in-person data collection with children, adolescents, and adults, including participant recruitment (e.g., attending school board meetings and school events), collecting and preparing biological samples (e.g., blood), physiological assessments (e.g., heart rate and blood pressure) and qualitative interviewing and coding. The ideal applicant should enjoy problem-solving, organization, and the implementation of efficient, long-term solutions. As this position is shared between two labs, applicants should be comfortable managing multiple simultaneous projects to effectively complete tasks in a timely manner. In addition, the research coordinator will have the opportunity to substantially contribute to new research projects. The depth or breadth of this involvement will be in accordance with the employee’s long-term career goals and abilities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Fluency in English.
- Basic statistical knowledge required related to cleaning and managing data; ability to perform basic statistical analyses
- Excellent reasoning ability, both in the abstract (e.g. managing multiple goals & responsibilities) and the concrete (e.g. prioritizing multiple simultaneous tasks and managing time independently).
- Good interpersonal skills; readiness to work with others as part of a research team, help fix technological or scheduling issues.
- Comfort with talking about race-related issues with school district officials, teachers, parents, and participants.
- Ability to work well with children, adolescents, and adults and to sensitively handle issues relating to mental and physical health (e.g., depression, suicidality, child abuse).
- Tolerance for being interrupted while working to deal with an immediate issue.
- Willingness to collect and prepare blood samples; good fine motor skills for performing these tasks.
- Ability to travel to elementary schools within the Denver/Aurora area for participant recruitment (e.g., staff meetings, parent conference nights).
- Strong attention to detail; ability to follow protocols and manage multiple simultaneous tasks.
Required Qualifications
- B.A. or B.S. degree.
- Experience with Mac and PC systems.
- Experience conducting and assisting with psychological or medical research projects.
Preferred Qualifications
- B.A. or B.S. degree with major focus in Psychology, Neuroscience, or other health fields.
- Excellent GPA.
- Experience collecting and preparing blood samples (or willingness to complete phlebotomy training).
- Experience working with children and adolescents.
- Experience working with teachers or in schools.
- Experience working with clinical populations (either psychological or medical).
- Excellent interpersonal and managerial skills.
- Advanced statistical knowledge.
- Desire to implement long-lasting organizational systems.
- Excitement to work with, teach, and learn from others in the laboratories.
Work Schedule
This is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week. Hours may vary.
Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.
Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
Salary Grade Number
The salary grade for the position is 6.
Hourly Range
The hourly range for the position is $17.85 - $21.50.
The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.
Benefits
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.
Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter (Please limit to one page)
The University of Denver is committed to enhancing the diversity of its faculty and staff. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military/ veteran status or any other status protected by law.
All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.
