Lab Manager Position in Harvard Lab for Developmental Studies

Duties & Responsibilities

The Laboratory for Developmental Studies in the Department of Psychology has a position open for a full-time research assistant in Dr. Elizabeth Spelke’s lab. Research in the lab is focused on exploring the cognitive development of infants and toddlers, with an emphasis on perception and knowledge of objects and people. Other projects in the lab focus on the development of numerical and geometrical abilities in preschool- and elementary school-aged children, with a focus on testing interventions to enhance the readiness of disadvantaged children for learning school mathematics. The candidate will report directly to the P.I., a Professor of Developmental Psychology, and will be responsible for managing and overseeing the daily activities of two lab spaces dedicated to running research studies with infants, toddlers, and children. Responsibilities including hiring and supervising undergraduate research assistants, coordinating testing spaces and study schedules, assisting with preparation of grant applications and progress reports, maintaining the lab manual, executing specific research experiments, and assisting in the collection of data. In addition, the candidate will act as the primary liaison between the lab and both the Psychology Business Office and the Harvard IRB, coordinating all lab purchases as well as applications for human subjects research approval. Further, the candidate will work actively with the Open Science Framework to register studies, methodology, and data. The candidate will perform related duties as requested.

This is a two-year position.

Basic Qualifications

• At least one year equivalent work experience (relevant course work in psychology, linguistics, or cognitive science may count towards experience).
• Experience with Word, Excel and Google docs/calendar required, for day-to-day functioning of the lab, as is familiarity with online research tools and search databases.

Additional Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and will embrace the challenges of a demanding workload involving multiple research projects.
• At least one year related experience is required, preferably in a lab that conducts research with infants and children.
• Highly desirable: experience conducting infant studies, experience with training studies for school-aged children, knowledge about field studies.
• Must demonstrate an ability to pay close attention to detail and should possess excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be confident working both independently as well as with others in a high-paced research environment.

Additional Information

• All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.
• This is a two-year, grant-funded term position, starting April-May timeframe, with renewal dependent upon continuation of grant funding.
• Interested applicants should apply as an external candidate, for Requisition # 45016BR via the following link: https://hr.harvard.edu/search-jobs

Please upload both a cover letter and CV.

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