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Interdisciplinary Research Associate (Psychology, Neuroscience & Education)

Graduate School of Education, Stanford, California, United States

Research

Post Date Apr 08, 2025

Requisition # 106225

About Us

TheStanford Graduate School of Education (GSE)is dedicated to solving education's greatest challenges. Through rigorous research, model training programs and partnerships with educators worldwide, we're pursuing equitable, accessible and effective learning for all. The GSE is a top-ranked school of education, known for its prestigious faculty, rigorous graduate degree programs, and its impact on the quality of education across the world. The GSE is committed to developing leaders in education research, practice and policy. Our community includesover60faculty,400students,230staff,14,000alumniandcountlessindividualsfrom the local and global communities that we work with and impact.

Position Summary

We are seeking a conscientious, intrinsically motivated research assistant to join a unique, large-scale, grant-funded intervention project exploring the psychology and neuroscience of open-mindednessinpoliticalcontexts.Thispositionisidealforapost-baccalaureateindividualinterestedinsocialpsychology,neuroscience,andtheintersectionofthesefieldswith thestudy of socialconflict. The project will investigate thepsychological and neural basesof openness to differing viewpoints and apply scientific theory to address some of today's most pressing social challenges—encouraging open-mindedness, overcoming bias blind spots, and fostering empathy and understanding across social-political divides.

YouwillworkcloselywithPrincipalInvestigatorGeoffreyCohenandaninterdisciplinaryteam of renowned researchers, including Janine Dutcher, David Creswell, David Sherman, Valerie Purdie-Greenaway, and others.

The role involves coordinating and conducting a large-scale, in-person research study. You will beresponsibleforcreatingbehavioralstimuli,recruitingparticipantsfromboththecampusand local community, coding behavioral experiments for implementation in an fMRI scanner, guiding participants through the fMRI process, managing and cleaning data, and assisting with data analysis.

WhilepriorexperiencewithfMRIstudiesispreferred,itisnotrequired.However,youmustbe eager to invest the time needed to learn these skills. Additionally, you should have the necessary coding experience to program behavioral experiments.

This position is a 1-year fixed term appointment based on Stanford University’s main campus. Consideration will be given to a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite work), subject to operational needs, but generally the project requires you to be physically present on campus . Interested candidates should include a resume, cover letter describing why they are interested in this position at this stage in their career and contact information for three professional references for consideration.

Core Duties

• Coordinateandschedulemeetingswithinterdisciplinaryresearchers
• Collaborate with a diverse team of scholars, integrating insights from psychology, neuroscience,andpoliticalscience.Thisincludesmeetingone-on-onewithprojectteam members and incorporating their perspectives into summaries and action plans.
• Reviewrelevantresearchinsocialpsychologyandneurosciencetoinform designofourstudies
• Runpsychologicalandneuroscienceexperiments,includingparticipantrecruitmentandscheduling
• CodeandanalyzebehavioraldatausingPython/Matlab
• Contributetothedevelopmentandexecutionofnovelinterventionsaimedatfosteringopen-mindedness
• Helpoverseedatamanagementandhelpprocessneuroimagingdata(trainingavailable)
• Project/grantadministrativetasks:writingprojectupdates,budgetary,seekingfurther grant opportunities, submitting IRB updates/renewals, managing administrative and bureaucratic processes that are part of a large-scale grant project.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’sdegreeinsocialpsychology,cognitivescience,psychology,neuroscience, computer science, or a related field
• Proficiencyincoding(e.g.,Python,Matlab,R,orshellscripting)
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Stronginterpersonalskillsforparticipantrecruitmentandworkingwith communitysamples
• Abilitytoself-manageandhandlemultipleaspectsofalarge-scaleproject
• Exceptionalattentiontodetailandworkethic,witha strongabilitytocompletecomplex projects efficiently
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• ExperiencewithfMRIorneuroimagingdataacquisitionandanalysis
• Familiaritywith LinuxOS
• Experiencewithacademicwritingandpublication
• Strongorganizationalskillsandattentiontodetail
• Motivated,self-starterwiththeabilitytoworkindependentlyandaspartof ateam
• Knowledgeofresearchdesignandstatisticalanalysis
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Constantlyperformdesk-basedcomputertasks.
• Frequentsitting.
• Occasionallystand/walk,reach/workaboveshoulders,grasplightly/finemanipulation, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Rarelytwist/bend/stoop/squat,kneel/crawl.
  
  

Working Conditions

• Maybeexposedtobloodbornepathogens.
• Mayberequiredtoworknon-standard,extendedorweekendhoursinsupportof research work.
  
  

Work Standards

• InterpersonalSkills:DemonstratestheabilitytoworkwellwithStanfordcolleaguesand clients and with external organizations.
• PromoteCultureofSafety:Demonstratescommitmenttopersonalresponsibilityand value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures,includingbutnotlimitedtothepersonnelpoliciesandotherpoliciesfound in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu .
  
  

Please Note

• We are not able to provide sponsorship or relocation for this position.
• Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to working at Stanford University.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the US. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
  
  

The expected pay range for this position is $31.40 - $33.65 per hour. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website ( https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards ) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

WHY STANFORD IS FOR YOU

Education

Stanford’s dedicated 16,000+ staff, who come from diverse educational and career backgrounds. We are a collaborative environment that thrives on innovation and continuous improvement.AtStanford,weseektalentcommittedtoexcellence,driventoimpactthefuture of our legacy, and improve lives on a global scale. We provide market competitive salaries, excellenthealthcare andretirementplans,and agenerousvacationpolicy,includingadditional time off during our winter closure. Ourunique perksalign with what matters to you:

• Freedom to grow. Asoneofthegreatestintellectualhubsintheworld,takeadvantage of development programs, tuition reimbursement plus $800 you receive annually towardsskill-buildingclasses,orauditaStanfordcourse.JoinaTedTalk,filmscreening, or listen to a renowned author or leader discuss global issues.
• A caring culture. Weunderstandtheimportanceofyourpersonalandfamilytimeand provide you access to wellness programs, child-care resources, parent education and consultation, elder care and caregiving support.
• A healthier you. Wemakewellnessaprioritybyprovidingaccesstoworld-classexercise facilities. Climb our rock wall, or participate in one of hundreds of health or fitnessclasses.
• Discovery and fun. Strollthroughhistoricsculptures,trails,andmuseums.Createan avatar and participate in virtual reality adventures or join one with fellow staff on Stanford vacations!
• Enviable resources. Weofferfreecommuterprogramsandridesharingincentives.Enjoy discounts for computing, cell phones, outdoor recreation, travel, entertainment, andmore.
  
  

Weprideourselvesinbeingaculturethatencouragesandempowersyou.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at stanfordelr@stanford.edu . For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form .

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time
• Job Code: 4234
• Employee Status: Fixed-Term
• Grade: E
• Requisition ID: 106225
• Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible