Social Science/Humanities Research Associate I

University of Texas; Utah; On-site; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Social Science/Humanities Research Associate I to support daily lab operations under the PI and lab team. You will help collect and manage data, recruit and schedule infants and young children, and assist with experimental setups.

This role offers hands-on experience in cognition and learning research and opportunities to co-author publications. This is a one-year fixed term position, with anticipated start in September 2026 and potential for

Qualifications

• BA or BS in psychology, cognitive science, or related field.
• Experience working with infants and young children.
• Highly motivated to learn new technology, including computer programming and sensing device setup.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong communication, organization and multitasking skills in a collaborative research environment.
• Interest in development and learning.
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Collecting data through complex laboratory/scientific experiments, techniques, and procedures.
• Managing, coding, and analyzing video and time series data.
• Coordinating, training, and working with undergraduate research assistants.
• Recruiting and scheduling infants and young children.
• Assisting with new experimental setups.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Multitasking skills

Interest in development

Learning new technology

Experience with infants

Education

BA/BS in psychology or related field

Tools

Head-Mounted Eye Tracking

MATLAB

Eye-tracking data annotation

Job description

Job Posting Title: Social Science/Humanities Research Associate I ---- Hiring Department: Department of Psychology ---- Position Open To: All Applicants ---- Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40 ---- FLSA Status: Non-Exempt from FLSA ---- Earliest Start Date: Sep 01, 2026 ---- Position Duration: Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2027 ---- Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details: General Notes The Social Science/Humanities Research Associate I will work closely with the PI and lab group to coordinate day-to-day lab operations. The position provides a unique opportunity to obtain hands-on experiences on using cutting-edge technology to study human cognition and learning. There are also opportunities to co-author research publications and presentations. This position is ideal for highly motivated individuals who are interested in preparing for a graduate career. This is a one-year fixed term position.

Purpose The Social Science/Humanities Research Associate I will work closely with the PI and lab group to coordinate day-to-day lab operations.

Responsibilities:

• Collecting data through complex laboratory/scientific experiments, techniques, and procedures.
• Managing, coding, and analyzing video and time series data
• Coordinating, training, and working with undergraduate research assistants.
• Recruiting and scheduling infants and young children.
• Assisting with new experimental setups.

Required Qualifications:

• BA or BS in psychology, cognitive science, or related field
• Experience working with infants and young children
• Highly motivated to learn new technology, including computer programming and sensing device setup
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong communication, organization and multitasking skills in a collaborative research environment
• Interest in development and learning
• Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using Head-Mounted Eye tracking system (Enter Preferred Qualifications here)
• Experience with MATLAB
• Experience with eye-tracking data annotation
• Experience with experimental studies with young children.

Salary Range $36,000

Required Materials Resume/CV 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility: Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks: A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency: The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification: If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify: The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following: E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF] Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance: Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and other federal, state, and local regulations. If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

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