Departmental Assistant - Affect and Social Cognition Lab

Agency: 

UMass Amherst

Location: 

Amherst MA

Date Posted: 

August 5, 2021

Description: 

Departmental Assistant - Isbell Lab

Apply now Job no: 509510
Work type: Hourly
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Psychology and Brain Sci
Union: Non-Benefited
Categories: Temporary Non-Benefited

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Departmental Assistant function as the Lab Manager working closely with Dr. Linda Isbell’s Affect and Social Cognition Team within the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at UMass Amherst. In addition to coordinating and managing various studies and lab logistics, the Lab Manager will be responsible for overseeing key aspects of a federally funded grant project examining the influence of emergency medicine providers’ emotions and patient mental illness on diagnostic reasoning and patient care as part of the research team.

Essential Functions

  • Coordinate project logistics, including scheduling, recruiting, and communicating with research team members, collaborators, and participants.
  • Develop research materials for studies investigating emotions, mental illness, and diagnostic reasoning, including developing studies in Qualtrics.
  • Assist in data collection by performing informed consent procedures, serving as a contact person for potential participants. maintaining participant records, and overseeing participant recruitment and compensation.
  • Arrange lab schedules, order research supplies, access IT and software support.
  • Assist in data analysis and contribute to writing of manuscripts reporting results of research.
  • Train RA staff to conduct tasks relevant to federally funded research project.

Other Functions

  • Work collaboratively and effectively to promote teamwork, diversity, equality and inclusiveness. 
  • Work in partnership with colleagues within the CNS community and across the campus to support the Dean’s strategic priorities.
  • Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of the College of Natural Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Knowledge of psychological research methods.
  • Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, etc.).
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Very detail-oriented.
  • Must be able to work independently as well as collaboratively with laboratory members, physicians, nurses, and patients.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or related field preferred

Qualifications Acquired on the Job

  • Experience conducting social psychological and healthcare research
  • Grant management, data analysis, and academic writing skills
  • Knowledge of research on patient safety, clinical decision-making, and emotion
  • Experience conducting research with diverse populations

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment

Work Schedule

20 hours a week, Monday – Friday

Salary Information

$15.50 hourly rate

Term of employment will be for one year.

As part of a commitment to their own multicultural community, CNS seeks an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. In addition to application materials above, candidates will need to submit a Statement of Contribution to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The Diversity Statement should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarships, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities. (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion)

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.