Lab Manager and Research Assistant

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia seeks a Lab Manager and Research Assistant to support two social psychology labs. The role splits time between professors' labs, administering studies in lab and field, and preparing datasets with preliminary analyses.

Ideal candidates are organized, independent, and able to supervise undergraduates. This on-site role is based in Charlottesville, VA, and involves coordinating stimuli and research materials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, data science, public policy, or related field by July 2026.
• Two years of behavioral laboratory experience or work as a research assistant.
• Familiarity with social psychology/behavioral science research methods and IRB management.
• Experience administering studies in Qualtrics.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Excel and an additional statistical program such as R, SPSS, SAS, STATA.
• Able to occasionally work nonstandard hours (e.g., evenings, weekends).

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day activities of multiple research projects across two labs.
• Split time equally between two professors' social psychology labs.
• Administer behavioral studies in lab and field settings; prepare datasets and conduct preliminary analyses.
• Collaborate on producing and programming experimental materials and stimuli.
• Train and supervise undergraduate research assistants; coordinate data collection.
• Handle lab administration: tracking expenses, ordering equipment, leading lab meetings.
• Meet with principal investigators and graduate students regularly about progress and goals.

Skills

Entrepreneurial mindset

Independent work

Interpersonal communication

Written communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree in psychology, data science, public policy or related field

Tools

Qualtrics

Excel

R

SPSS

SAS

STATA

Job description

The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia seeks a Lab Manager and Research Assistant to work with Professors Benjamin Converse and Abigail Scholer.

The Lab Manager will be responsible for day-to-day management of multiple research projects, splitting their time equally each week between two professors' social psychology and behavioral science labs. This will involve administering behavioral studies in the lab and in field settings; preparing datasets and conducting preliminary analyses; and collaborating to produce and program experimental materials and stimuli. The Lab Manager will provide training and supervision of undergraduate research assistants and coordinate data collection. The Lab Manager will also be involved in lab administration tasks: tracking expenses, ordering equipment or materials for studies, leading lab meetings, and meeting with the principal investigators and graduate students regularly about progress and goal-setting and other duties as assigned.

The position is an excellent opportunity to gain multidisciplinary research experience in preparation for graduate study in social psychology, organizational behavior, or a related field. The ideal candidate will have an entrepreneurial mindset, ability to work independently, and a willingness to take initiative and find creative solutions to problems. They should be highly organized and attentive to detail. This is not a remote position.

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in psychology, data science,public policy,or a related field by July 2026.

• Two years of behavioral laboratory experienceor work as a research assistant;experience gained over four academic semesters (or equivalent) as a student will be considered.

• Familiarity with social psychology/behavioral scienceresearch methodsand IRB management.

• Experienceadministering studies in Qualtrics.

• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

• Proficient inExcel and an additional statistical program such asR,SPSS, SAS, STATA.

• Able to occasionally work nonstandard hours (e.g., evenings, weekends), depending on data-collection needs.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience working semi-independently on an original behavioral science research project (e.g., undergraduate honors thesis).

• Experience with platforms that manage human subject pools (e.g., SONA).

• Prior experience with data science methods (e.g., web scraping, data cleaning and manipulation)

• Demonstrated interest in computerprogramming (e.g.,Javascript, Python, JSON) and/or assisted coding using GenerativeAI platforms (e.g., Claude Code).

This position will remain open until filled. This is a non-exempt level, benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.This position is located in Charlottesville, VA.

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.