Research Assistant

Texas A&M University System; United States; On-site; USD 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas A&M University System is seeking a Research Assistant in the Department of Psychology on the College Station campus. The role supports MAClab projects focusing on emotion and cognition in health and psychiatric conditions, with involvement in data collection, participant screening, and administrative lab tasks.

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology or related fields, have access to an employee vehicle for campus MRI visits, and demonstrate strong organizational

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology or related field.
• Ability to travel independently to MRI scanner on campus (10-minute drive).
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Support and coordinate research projects in MAClab.
• Collect psychophysiological and fMRI data from human participants.
• Supervise undergraduate researchers and coordinate data collection.
• Prepare IRB applications, grant documents, and reports to funders.
• Recruit and screen research participants for eligibility.
• Assist with EEG and fMRI studies and related data collection.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology

Master’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology, or related field (completed by Fall 2026) or equivalent

Job description

Job Title
Research Assistant

Agency
Texas A&M University

Department
Psychology

Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate

Job Location
College Station, Texas

Job Type
Staff

Job Description

Here’s a Glimpse of the Job

The Research Assistant will support and coordinate research projects within Dr. MacNamara’s Multimethod Affect and Cognition Lab (MAClab) in the Department of Psychology. The selected candidate will contribute to research examining emotion and cognition in health and psychiatric conditions, particularly anxiety and depression, while supporting treatment-related research.

Opportunities to Contribute

• Collects psychophysiological and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from human research participants.
• Supervises and supports undergraduate research assistants in data collection procedures.
• Conducts phone screenings and interviews with participants experiencing anxiety and/or depression.
• Provides administrative tasks related to grants and projects in the lab, including but not limited to preparation of IRBs and reports to funders.
• Recruits and screens potential research participants to determine eligibility.
• Assists with EEG and fMRI research studies and related data collection procedures.
• Prepares IRB applications, grant documents, and other research materials.
• Assists with additional research and laboratory tasks as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to travel independently in employee-owned vehicle to MRI scanner on campus (10-minute drive from main campus).

A well-qualified candidate for this position will also possess:

• Prior experience working in psychology, psychiatry (or related field) research lab.
• Prior experience with emotion-focused psychophysiology research.
• Master’s degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Biology, or related field (completed by Fall 2026) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Statistical expertise.
• Ability to work independently, multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to positively and professionally interact with research participants and other lab members.
• Working knowledge of office software; strong computer skills.

Salary: $45,000 - $50,000 Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire’s experience.
Special Note: This position is funded by grant and/or contract funding, which is renewed through provisions of the grantor of the contract. Therefore, continuation of this position will be reviewed annually and is contingent upon continuation of funding from these grants and/or contracts, as well as satisfactory job performance.

Why Texas A&M University?

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences. Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is engaged in research that falls into all five graduate areas of specialization:

• Behavioral and Cellular Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology
• Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience Psychology
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• Social & Personality Psychology

In addition to the Department of Psychological and Brain Science’s 5 areas of specialization, we have overlapping research interests that bridge traditional areas of psychology. These primary research themes include Affective Science; Neuroscience; Personality and Individual Differences. To learn more please visit our site at https://artsci.tamu.edu/psychological-brain-sciences/index.html

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration. Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you. Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes.

• Medical, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/medical/) prescription drug, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/prescriptions-express-scripts/) dental, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/dental/) vision, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/vision-insurance/) life and AD&D, (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/life-add/) flexible spending accounts (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/flexible-spending-accounts/), and long-term disability insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/long-term-disability/) with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums.
• 12-15 days (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/index.html) of annual paid holidays.
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/sick.html)and at leasteight hours of paid vacation (https://employees.tamu.edu/employee-relations/leave/paid/vacation.html)each month.
• Automatic enrollment in theTeacher Retirement System of Texas (https://www.trs.texas.gov/Pages/Homepage.aspx)
• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time (https://flourish.tamu.edu/wellness-release-time/)
• Professional Development: All employees have access to freeLinkedIn Learning (https://linkedinlearning.tamu.edu/)training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more.
• Educational release time and tuition assistance (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/employee-tuition-assistance)for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee.
• Living Well, (https://livingwell.tamu.edu/) a program at Texas A&M that has been built by employees, for employees.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.