Onsite Human-Robot Research Assistant

Wealth Recruitment; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Wealth Recruitment is seeking a Research Assistant for the Human Aware Interaction Learning (HAIL) team to advance how humans and robots interact in real-world settings. This onsite Cambridge, MA role blends human-subject research, robotics, experimental design, and data analysis with hands-on work alongside participants and robots.

The position involves designing studies, recruiting participants, operating robotic systems, collecting and analyzing data using Python or R, and reporting findings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Human Factors, HRI, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Robotics, or related field.
• Hands-on experience participating in or conducting at least one in-person human-subject research study.
• Experience collecting, managing, or analyzing quantitative research data.
• Proficiency with Python or experience using another analytical language such as R or SPSS with willingness to learn Python.
• Experience working in an academic research or laboratory environment.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and participant-facing skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical equipment or systems independently during live experiments.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple research activities.

Responsibilities

• Design, prepare, and execute in-person human-robot interaction experiments.
• Conduct user studies in office, laboratory, and field environments.
• Coordinate study schedules, participant recruitment, research materials, and daily logistics.
• Develop research protocols, questionnaires, interviews, and experimental materials.
• Create research stimuli, including videos, animations, and physical mockups.
• Set up and operate robotic systems during live research studies.
• Support experiments involving mobile robots, robotic arms, and other robotic platforms.
• Troubleshoot technical issues independently to keep experiments on track.
• Adapt quickly to unexpected challenges in dynamic research environments.
• Guide participants through experiments, surveys, and interviews.
• Create a welcoming, comfortable, and professional research experience.
• Communicate clearly with participants from diverse backgrounds, including older adults.
• Ensure research protocols are followed while maintaining accurate study documentation.
• Collect, organize, and analyze quantitative research data using Python, R, SPSS, or similar tools.
• Identify patterns, interpret findings, and help translate research results into actionable insights.
• Support qualitative data coding and categorization.
• Conduct literature reviews and contribute to research reports.
• Maintain organized research records, datasets, and study documentation.

Skills

Hands-on research

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Troubleshooting

Organizational skills

Participant-facing

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Human Factors, HRI, Cognitive Science, Psychology, Robotics

Tools

Python

R

SPSS

Job description

Wealth Recruitment is seeking a Research Assistant for the Human Aware Interaction Learning (HAIL) team to advance how humans and robots interact in real-world settings. This onsite Cambridge, MA role blends human-subject research, robotics, experimental design, and data analysis with hands-on work alongside participants and robots.

The position involves designing studies, recruiting participants, operating robotic systems, collecting and analyzing data using Python or R, and reporting findings.