Research Lab Technician II

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university a great place to work.  

As a community of Dornsife College “we are committed to the creation, preservation, and communication of fundamental knowledge in all its forms…as well as a lifelong passion for learning and a commitment to the betterment of society.”  The academic mission of Dornsife College can only be realized to its fullest potential when we build and protect a representative, equitable, inclusive culture of scholarship for students, faculty, and staff.  This is not done through initiatives but by embedding these values into the everyday interactions, relationships, policies, and practices of the College.  What is required is a seamless integration of the tenets of equity and inclusivity into every facet of academic life.  If we want our scholars, staff, and students to be able to give their very best, we must create an academic environment that portends success.  

Success is possible when every member of the Dornsife community owns their role as a steward of the culture in which we learn, research, and work; when we believe that it is because of who we are that we are able to do what we do: achieve excellence, together. 

Achieving a robust and inclusive academic culture requires more than just the completion of a task, but includes that person’s capacity to contribute positively to the relationships and culture of their office or department.  Therefore, any applicant seeking to advance the mission of Dornsife College should also be assessed on their capacities beyond the technical elements of their work, and demonstrate an understanding of their impact on others, and to articulate how they contribute positively to those around them.

Seeking Full-Time Research Lab Tech II

University of Southern California

Department of Psychology

USC’s Brain, Emotion, and Attention Development Lab is looking for a full-time research assistant (Research Lab Tech II) to provide research-related supervision and oversight of the activities in the lab.

The research assistant will work on existing and new studies investigating behavioral and neural correlates of self-regulation and other attentional processes. The studies examine the impact of early risk factors such as temperament and early environmental factors (e.g., perinatal exposures, SES, and parenting) on social and emotional development (e.g., internalizing and externalizing problems). For more details on these projects see: https://dornsife.usc.edu/labs/bead/

This position will begin January 2025 and continue through summer 2026 with possibility of extension, based on performance and grant funding.

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to: 

Project Management:

• Helping with administrative tasks
• Coordinating Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions
  • Completing new submissions
  • Making amendments to protocol templates
  • Submitting continuing review forms
• Coordinating data collection, including participant recruitment, screening, assessments, and participant payment
• Conducting literature reviews and compiling references for manuscript publication, conference presentations, and grant submissions
• Managing undergraduate research assistants  
• Identifying community organizations to establish partnerships
• Facilitating and maintaining community partnerships

Requirements for the lab coordinator position:

• Advanced technical skills e.g., R, Matlab, Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Word.
• Fluency in spoken and written Spanish is highly desirable.
• Excellent writing skills, organization skills, and careful attention to detail 
• Ability to take on leadership for assigned work related tasks, both independently and as part of a team
• Coursework in quantitative, qualitative mixed and/or advanced research methods 
• Ability to manage one’s time and complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner
• Ability to work successfully under strict deadlines
• Understand and follow policies and procedures, including handling confidential materials with discretion
• Experience with Zotero, Qualtrics, and RedCap is preferred
• Grant writing experience and knowledge of grant submission process is also preferred

Timeline:  Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Priority will be given to candidates who apply by December 1st. The candidate can expect to start around January 1st, 2025.

Hourly range: The hourly rate range for this position is $24 - $27. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

This is a grant funded position.

Required Documents and Additional Information:

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file).
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer that Values Diversity.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.  

Minimum Education: Associate's degree, Specialized/technical training, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Working knowledge of laboratory equipment and research protocols. Knowledge of computer analysis techniques and ability to provide routine analysis and interpretation of research data.