Job Description
Job Posting Title:
Social Science/Humanities Research Associate II, de Barbaro Lab
Hiring Department:
Department of Psychology
Position Open To:
All Applicants
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Earliest Start Date:
Immediately
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Oct 15, 2026
Location:
UT MAIN CAMPUS
Job Details:
The Daily Activity Lab is hiring a full-time lab manager to launch an NIH-funded research study to develop algorithms that use data from wearable sensors to assess the quality of early mother‑infant interactions objectively, automatically, and remotely in natural home environments. Our ultimate goal is to use these tools to facilitate identification and prevention of early risks for substance use disorders. Our lab uses wearable audio, motion, and physiology recordings to characterize the processes of infant social‑emotional development in everyday home settings. We are an interdisciplinary team bridging developmental science, clinical psychology, computer science, and electrical engineering. This would be an excellent position for recent college graduates interested in gaining research training and mentoring before pursuing graduate studies in affective science, clinical psychology or developmental science, or for those who are interested in working in the field of human‑centered technology. The project will include women with a history of childhood maltreatment as participants.
The position will be initially funded for one year, but subsequent years may be available.
Purpose
To assist the Daily Activity Lab in launching an NIH-funded research study to develop algorithms that use data from wearable sensors to assess the quality of early mother‑infant interactions objectively, automatically, and remotely in natural home environments.
Responsibilities
The lab manager will be expected to coordinate the day‑to‑day operation and management of the research projects occurring in the Daily Activity Lab, including:
Recruiting and scheduling research study participants
Coordinating testing logistics and running sessions at participants’ homes and at UT
Supervising and training research assistants to assist with study data collection including running sessions as well as offline video and audio annotation
Managing study files, lab expenses, and departmental paperwork including IRB compliance documents
Attending scientific meetings
There is a possibility to contribute to technical aspects of the project (e.g., developing data processing pipelines in R or MATLAB) and/or data analysis and preparation of publications
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in Psychology or related field or Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of relevant research experience.
Ability to use effective time management to ensure the tasks and goals for multiple projects are completed in order of priority.
Demonstrated attention to detail.
Outstanding interpersonal communication.
Ability to travel to sessions at participants’ homes
Must be eligible to work in the United States on a full‑time basis for any employer without sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English. Experience with clinical research populations.
Experience working with infants or young children.
Experience with statistics software (R, SPSS), Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Experience with or interest in expanding computational skills (e.g., R or MATLAB).
Salary Range
$35,000+ depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
May work around standard office conditions
Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
Use of manual dexterity
Climbing of stairs
Lifting and moving
Required Materials
Resume/CV
3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
Letter of interest
Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University‑Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I‑9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
E‑Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin uses E‑Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E‑Verify is 854197. For more information about E‑Verify, please see the following:
E‑Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and be notified. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP‑3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
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Job Tags
Full time, For contractors, Work at office, Immediate start, Remote work,