Research Assistant I

The University of Texas at Dallas

Dallas (TX)

Hybrid

USD 34,000 - 40,000

Full time

31 hours ago

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Job summary

The University of Texas at Dallas seeks a full-time Research Assistant I for the AIMM Lab, led by Dr. Ke Bo in the Center for Vital Longevity. The role focuses on emotion regulation research using fMRI, EEG, behavioral studies, and computational methods.

The incumbent will recruit and test participants, manage data, and assist with preprocessing and analysis, gaining intensive research experience before graduate training in related fields.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in one of the basic sciences or an equivalent combination of education and experience in customer service or routine public interactions.
Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, biomedical engineering, or related field, or equivalent research experience.

Responsibilities

Assist with recruitment, screening, scheduling, and communication with participants.
Assist with informed consent, questionnaires, behavioral tasks, cognitive assessments, and study procedures.
Support collection of fMRI, behavioral, physiological, and other research data.
Maintain accurate participant records and study documentation.
Assist with data organization, preprocessing, and analysis.
Coordinate with undergraduate research assistants and other team members.
Participate in regular lab meetings and contribute to a collaborative environment.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in basic sciences

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, biomedical engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Salary Range Starting at $37,000; Depending on Qualifications

Pay Basis

Pay Basis Monthly

Position Status

Position Status Regular full-time

Location

Position End Date (if temporary)

Posting Open Date

Posting Open Date 09/18/2026

Posting Close Date

Open Until Filled

Open Until Filled Yes

Desired Start Date

Desired Start Date 01/04/2027

Job Summary

The Affective Neuroimaging and Modeling for Mental Health ( AIMM ) Lab, directed by Dr. Ke Bo at the Center for Vital Longevity at The University of Texas at Dallas, is seeking a full-time Research Assistant I. The AIMM Lab studies the neural and biological mechanisms underlying emotion and emotion regulation, with a particular interest in how brain and body bioenergetic and metabolic health shape these processes and influence mental health. Our research uses a combination of functional MRI (fMRI), EEG , behavioral experiments, computational modeling, and peripheral biospecimen measurements.

The Research Assistant will contribute to multiple ongoing and developing human-subject research projects and will play an important role in the day-to-day operation and growth of a new research lab. Responsibilities will include participant recruitment and testing, coordination of research studies, collection and management of behavioral and neuroimaging data, and assistance with data preprocessing and analysis.

The position is well suited for someone interested in gaining intensive research experience before pursuing graduate training in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, biomedical engineering, data science, or a related field.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in one of the basic sciences or an equivalent combination of education and experience in customer service or in daily interactions in a public services environment.

Preferred Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, biomedical engineering, or another related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant research experience.

Prior experience designing and conducting human-subject behavioral experiments, collecting fMRI data, or conducting related research is preferred. Strong organizational, time-management, interpersonal, and communication skills are essential. The successful candidate should be reliable, detail-oriented, comfortable interacting with research participants, and able to work both independently and collaboratively.

Experience with one or more of the following is desirable but not required:

Behavioral experiment programming
Functional MRI or structural MRI data collection, preprocessing, or analysis
Human-subject recruitment, screening, scheduling, and testing
Research data management and quality control
Programming or data analysis using MATLAB , Python,R or similar tools

Applicants do not need to have experience in all of these areas. Training will be provided as appropriate.

Other Qualifications

To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Assist with recruitment, screening, scheduling, and communication with research participants.
Assist with informed consent, questionnaires, behavioral tasks, cognitive assessments, and other study procedures.
Support collection of fMRI, behavioral, physiological, and other human-subject research data.
Maintain accurate participant records, study documentation, and research databases.
Assist with data organization, quality control, preprocessing, and analysis.
Assist with programming and testing behavioral or experimental tasks when needed.
Support IRB documentation, study protocols, and other research administration activities.
Coordinate with undergraduate research assistants and other members of the research team.
Participate in regular lab meetings and contribute to a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment.
Assist with other research and laboratory responsibilities as needed.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Physical Activities

Working Conditions

Additional Information

The preferred start date is Spring 2027, although the exact start date is negotiable.

A minimum one-year commitment is strongly preferred. Extension for multiple years can be negotiated.

The position will be based primarily at the Center for Vital Longevity in Dallas, Texas, with research activities potentially taking place at other UT Dallas research facilities or affiliated imaging locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Some scheduling flexibility may occasionally be needed to accommodate participant availability.

Remote work is not available for this position.

Visa sponsorship is not eligible for this position.

Special Instructions Summary

All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public.

The University is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator.

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