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We are hiring a Research Assistant for a newly NIH-funded project at the FACE Lab at Emerson College. The project’s aims are to identify facial expressions and other non-verbal behavior that can predict conversational success and satisfaction among autistic and non-autistic adolescents. The Research Assistant will report to the FACE Lab Director and will support day-to-day operations of the project, including interactions with our partners on this grant at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The primary research focus at the FACE Lab will be coding and analyzing facial and other non-verbal expressions within social context, while our partners at CHOP will focus on computer-driven analyses of the same expressions. The RA will acquire expertise in several software programs, including ELAN, manage student research assistants, and support all aspects of data processing. The RA will provide a full range of administrative, logistical, and scheduling support to the Lab Director and Post-Doctoral Fellow, as well as coordinate activities and communication with our partners at CHOP. This is an important role that requires high organizational ability, strong communication and technological skills, as well as a high level of emotional intelligence. Minimum commitment is two years.

The FACE Lab is a small, collegial environment dedicated to engaging in high quality, relevant, and ecologically valid research on social communication through respectful, honest, and open communication. We aim to collaborate with and be informed by the autism and autism research communities and remain accountable to all stakeholders, including providing active mentorship and growth opportunities to all lab members.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Participate in regular meetings between FACE Lab and partner lab at CHOP to provide status updates and adjust priority list of research tasks
• 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
• Lead recruitment and data collection with autistic and non-autistic individuals and their families
• 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 project
• Assist with logistics and scheduling
• Perform other miscellaneous duties as assigned
• Growth opportunities in writing abstracts and presenting research at conferences

QUALIFICATIONS – Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to effectively perform job.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Child Development, Cognitive Science, Communication Disorders, or a related field required
• Experience using statistical and other research software, such as R/R Studio, Redcap, and Qualtrics or QuestionPro strongly preferred
• 1-3 years of previous experience working with autistic individuals preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job. 

• High level of emotional intelligence and the 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, as well as strong communication skills required

PHYSICAL ABILITIES – Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• This position is generally sedentary in nature, movement throughout the area is 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 will be expected.

WORK ENVIRONMENT – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• General office conditions. Exposed to moderate noise levels

Grade of Position: 23-05NE

Employment Category: Grant Funded (Fixed Term)

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Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week. 

Emerson Employment Categories influence work schedules, benefits eligibility, and time off policies. Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits, such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings, are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.