Lab Manager

Zymtronix Catalytic Systems Inc; City of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits eligible

Job summary

Cornell University’s Wells Lab in Ithaca, NY seeks two full-time Lab Managers to support a longitudinal dementia caregiver study. Responsibilities include recruitment, data collection, scheduling, and regulatory compliance, with opportunities for conference presentations and co-authored publications.

In-person on-site work, with a one-year term and potential renewal. The role emphasizes collaboration, training of undergraduate researchers, and meticulous data management in a multi-method

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree plus 2–4 years relevant research experience or equivalent.
• Experience conducting psychological/behavioral research.

Responsibilities

• Assist with participant recruitment and scheduling for RSV studies.
• Oversee data collection, data management, and quality assurance.
• Ensure IRB compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Train and supervise undergraduate research assistants.
• Coordinate daily lab operations and communication within the team.

Skills

Research coordination

Participant recruitment

IRB compliance

Data management

Team supervision

Communication

Education

Associate’s degree in psychology or related field

Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field

Tools

Qualtrics

R

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Lab Managers needed for an NIH-funded (R01) study of dementia caregiver-care recipient dyads across rural and urban sites, involving in-person and video-based assessment visits, psychophysiological and eye-tracking measures, and questionnaires. The Lab Managers will work closely with Dr. Wells to manage daily lab operations and support the research process, including participant recruitment and scheduling, data collection, data management and quality assurance, IRB and regulatory compliance, and training and supervision of undergraduate research assistants. These positions are well suited to individuals seeking hands‑on experience in longitudinal, dyadic, and multi‑method research in preparation for graduate study in psychology, gerontology, public health, or a related field. There will be opportunities to contribute to conference presentations and co‑authored publications.

Dr. Jenna Wells's research examines how emotion in close relationships shapes mental and physical health across the life course, with a focus on late life and family caregiving for people with dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Her lab identifies what makes caregivers vulnerable or resilient to adverse outcomes, and studies how positive interpersonal processes support long‑term health and well‑being in individuals and dyads.

Because two Lab Managers are being hired to work alongside each other, strong collaboration and communication skills, along with the ability to divide and coordinate shared responsibilities, are essential.

This is a full‑time, benefits eligible, one‑year term position with the possibility of renewal contingent upon funding, available work, and successful performance. This is an in‑person, on‑site position with the location being the Ithaca campus.

No visa sponsorship or relocation assistance are provided for this position.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s degree in psychology, human development, gerontology, public health, or a related field and 2 to 4 years of relevant research experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience conducting or assisting with psychological or behavioral research.
• Excellent technical, analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills; written, interpersonal, and oral communications skills; ability to work both independently and as part of a research team.
• Strong attention to detail, excellent time management, goal and detail‑oriented work style, meticulous and consistent follow‑through on research projects.
• Ability to sometimes work nonstandard hours (e.g., evenings, weekends), depending on participant availability.
• Ability to work sensitively and professionally with families affected by dementia, including households with children.
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, human development, gerontology, public health, or a related field.
• Experience working with older adults or clinical populations.
• Experience with eye‑tracking, psychophysiological, and/or behavioral coding methods.
• Experience with Qualtrics.
• Proficiency with statistical or programming software (e.g., R, Python, MATLAB).
• Experience training or supervising others (e.g., undergraduate research assistants).
• Interest in pursuing graduate study in clinical psychology, gerontology, or a related field.

REWARDS & BENEFITS

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award‑winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.