Human Research Technologist: Development, Risk, and Resilience Lab and the REPEAT Lab

Penn State University; University Park (TX); On-site; USD 34,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

75% tuition discount

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Penn State University seeks a full-time Human Research Technologist to support an NIH-funded longitudinal study on maternal pre-postnatal substance use and parent-adolescent outcomes. The role focuses on data collection, scheduling, and coordinating logic with families across developmental stages.

The position requires experience with family-based research, strong communication, and the ability to work evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• At least one year of relevant experience in research with families and/or adolescents/young adults/parents.
• Experience with parent and adolescent interviews and observational data collection is preferred.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills are required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Recruiting, scheduling appointments for, and maintaining contact with parents and adolescents/young adults through email, text messages, and phone calls
• Conducting data collection activities on Zoom with adolescents and parents
• Conducting Timeline Follow Back interviews with adolescents and parents
• Collect and process EMA surveys
• Track EMA survey compliance of all enrolled participants
• Code observational assessments of parent-adolescent interactions

Skills

Research with families

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal communication

Flexible schedule

R, SPSS, Excel, Word, PowerPoint

Education

Associate Degree

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or related field

Tools

R

SPSS

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

This position is funded for 12 months; continuation past 12 months will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.

POSITION SPECIFICS

The Development, Risk and Resilience Lab, headed by Dr. Rina D. Eiden, and the REPEAT lab, headed by Dr. Emily Ansell, are seeking a full-time Human Research Technologist.

The Human Research Technologist will work on an NIH-funded longitudinal study on the role of maternal pre-postnatal substance use and co-occurring risks on parent-adolescent relationships and adolescent/young adult outcomes.

This is a continuation of a multi-method, longitudinal study of tobacco-and cannabis-exposed children and their mothers recruited in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.

The current phase of the study will examine social and emotional outcomes in adolescence/young adulthood including health experiences and risk behaviors, the parent-child relationship, social skills, and peer relationships.

Assessments will take place with families at multiple developmental stages, from early adolescence through young adulthood.

This work will take advantage of the University’s broad resources, including the Child Study Center.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Recruiting, scheduling appointments for, and maintaining contact with parents and adolescents/young adults through email, text messages, and phone calls
• Conducting data collection activities on Zoom with adolescents and parents
• Conducting Timeline Follow Back interviews with adolescents and parents
• Collect and process EMA (ecological momentary assessment) surveys
• Tracking EMA survey compliance of all enrolled participants
• Coding observational assessments of parent-adolescent interactions

Data collection methods include observational assessments and online surveys, observational and physiological data, and ecological momentary assessments with young adults.

After training, various software and applications will be utilized. This includes Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; R; and SPSS.

Important Note: This position requires a flexible schedule to include working some evenings and weekends, primarily to accommodate the availability of participating families.

Qualifications

It is highly preferred that candidates have at least one year of relevant experience in research with families and/or adolescents/young adults/parents.

Additional Preferred Qualifications (one or more)

• Research experience with family-based assessments
• Experience with parent and adolescent interviews
• Experience with observational data collection
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills

Minimum Education, Work Experience & Required Certifications

Associate Degree No prior relevant work experience required; previous relevant work experience accepted in lieu of education. Required Certifications: None

A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or related field is also preferred.

Questions regarding the position may be addressed to Dr. Rina Eiden at [e-mail]

The College of the Liberal Arts is supportive of flexible work arrangements when aligned with the ability to meet the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Background Checks/Clearances

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.

Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $33,504.00 - $48,552.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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