Lab Assistant

University of California, Riverside; California (MO); On-site; USD 23,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

University of California, Riverside’s Department of Psychology invites applications for a part-time Lab Assistant with the IMPACTO research team. The role supports immigrant and BIPOC youth well-being through literature reviews, data coding, and coordination of undergraduate researchers.

Expected up to 28.13 per hour, with a broader range offered up to 32.31 per hour. The position is a one-year appointment with potential renewal based on funding, lab needs, and performance.

Qualifications

• Strong written and verbal communication required.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to think critically and solve problems.
• Bachelor's degree in psychology or related field; high school diploma or GED accepted for consideration.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and interview undergraduate researchers; manage assistants.
• Handle IRB submissions, data agreements, and security protocols.
• Maintain data storage systems and scheduling; place orders.
• Co-author conference posters and manuscripts; assist with literature reviews and data preparation.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Critical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related field

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Matlab

SPSS

R

Dedoose

NVivo

Job description

Position Information Dr. M. Alejandra Arce is seeking a part‑time Lab Assistant to begin in September 2026 with the IMPACTO research team in the Department of Psychology at UC Riverside. This is a one‑year position with the potential for renewal based on funding, lab needs, and performance. At IMPACTO (impacto.ucr.edu), we use science to advocate for and advance the well‑being of immigrant and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) youth and families. Our research identifies and promotes factors that foster resilience and resistance against oppression using strengths‑based, community‑engaged approaches to directly benefit these communities. The Lab Assistant will support research and community projects focused on immigrant and BIPOC youth development and well‑being. Key administrative responsibilities include recruiting, interviewing, and managing undergraduate research assistants; handling IRB submissions, material transfer agreements, data user agreements, and security protocols; maintaining data storage systems; managing scheduling and ordering; and fostering an inclusive lab culture. Research responsibilities include conducting literature reviews, managing data entry and coding, preparing data for analysis, ensuring rigor and reproducibility, and co‑authoring conference posters and manuscripts. This position is ideal for a highly motivated individual planning to pursue an advanced degree in psychology or a related field with a commitment to immigrant and BIPOC well‑being and justice. The full salary range for the Lab Assistant is $27.04 - 32.31 per hour. However, the expected pay scale for this position is up to $28.13 per hour. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs. Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, we are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff. As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Requirements

Educational Requirements

Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma.

Bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 1 year of laboratory experience or two years of college courses in the natural, physical or social sciences and laboratory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledge and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
• Undergraduate level statistics course and experience with statistical analysis packages (e.g. Matlab, SPSS, R, etc.).
• Experience with qualitative data coding software (e.g. Dedoose, NVivo).
• Experience managing teams of research assistants.
• Experience with maintaining data security and IRB protocols.
• Experience conducting independent research in psychology.
• Experience with managing sensitive datasets.
• Experience working with community partners, participating in community service, or supporting community‑engaged initiatives.

Minimum Requirements

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated background and passion for research experience in psychology or related fields
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills

Additional Information

In the Heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park‑like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel.

UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud.

• UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings.
• UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020
• UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.
• Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019
• Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings
• UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview.