This project is in collaboration with Dr. Rebecca Spencer at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. See www.ncdl.umd.edu for more details about the study and lab. Please note: the official payroll title at UMD for this position is “Faculty Assistant.”
Responsibilities:
-conducting experiments with young children (including: recruiting, scheduling, and collection of polysomnography (PSG), and neuroimaging (MRI/fMRI) data
-preprocessing and analyzing data
-training and supervising undergraduate research assistants
-performing general administrative duties, including data management, lab web pages and participant recruiting systems
-programming scientific experiments and developing experimental stimuli
-assisting with IRB protocol creation and compliance
-conducting library searches and literature reviews to assist in manuscript preparation
-providing general support for the PI and other researchers in the laboratory including, but not limited to, purchasing and maintaining lab equipment
-preprocessing and analyzing data
-training and supervising undergraduate research assistants
-performing general administrative duties, including data management, lab web pages and participant recruiting systems
-programming scientific experiments and developing experimental stimuli
-assisting with IRB protocol creation and compliance
-conducting library searches and literature reviews to assist in manuscript preparation
-providing general support for the PI and other researchers in the laboratory including, but not limited to, purchasing and maintaining lab equipment
Required background and skills include:
-a bachelor’s degree in a related scientific field (e.g., psychology or neuroscience)
-reliable transportation
-previous research experience with human participants (preferably with children and/or using fMRI, EEG, or PSG)
-the ability to work independently
-keen attention to detail
-the ability to interact warmly and professionally with parents and children
-Strong computational, organizational, managerial, problem-solving, and analytic skills
The position is set to begin as soon as possible. A 2-year commitment is required; third year is possible dependent on available funding. Review of applications will begin January 26, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.
-reliable transportation
-previous research experience with human participants (preferably with children and/or using fMRI, EEG, or PSG)
-the ability to work independently
-keen attention to detail
-the ability to interact warmly and professionally with parents and children
-Strong computational, organizational, managerial, problem-solving, and analytic skills
How To Apply:
Interested individuals should email a cover letter describing their background and future goals, CV, and names and contact information of 3 references to Tracy Riggins at riggins@umd.edu. Please include all documents in a single pdf file and include your last name in the file (i.e., “LASTNAME.pdf”).
