Research Tech II - Social Science - Psychological & Brain Sciences

Scheduled Hours
37.5

Position Summary
The Research Tech II will work for a research lab housed within the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences: the Well-Being and Morality Lab (the “WAM” Lab) directed by Dr. Jessie Sun. You can learn more about the WAM lab’s research at https://jessiesun.me/#research. This is a full time, 37.5 hour per week, benefits eligible, position. The start date is between July 1 and August 1, 2025 and the anticipated end date is July 31, 2026. This is a 12-month position that is intended as a bridging position for a postbacc researcher who will apply to graduate school in psychology (or a related field) in Fall 2025 (and therefore start graduate school in Fall 2026).
Primary responsibilities involve contributing to all aspects of projects relating to social interactions and well-being. These include: Conducting literature searches and summarizing relevant literature, creating and managing surveys using survey software such as Qualtrics, collecting new data, creating and updating data dictionaries, conducting statistical analyses in R, and writing manuscripts. The Research Tech will have the opportunity to lead or co-author conference presentation(s) and/or manuscript(s).
In addition, the Research Tech will provide research assistance with other ongoing research projects in the lab. Tasks may include: Recruiting and scheduling research participants, coding qualitative responses, interacting with participants in laboratory or online sessions, and supervising undergraduate research assistants.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Contribute to data management and statistical analyses for research projects on social interactions and well-being under the supervision of Dr. Sun.
• Contribute to and/or lead conference presentations and manuscripts for research projects on social interactions and well-being under the supervision of Dr. Sun.
• Provide general research assistance with ongoing research projects in the lab, including: Recruiting and scheduling research participants; corresponding with participants; running participants in laboratory sessions; paying participants; coding qualitative responses; interviewing and supervising part-time undergraduate research assistants. Assisting with purchasing, reimbursements, and budgets; corresponding with administrative staff.
• Contribute to IRB applications, study design, and data collection, for research projects on social interactions and well-being under the supervision of Dr. Sun
• Conduct literature searches and summarize relevant literature for research projects on social interactions and well-being.
• Professional development activities to increase research skills and experience (e.g., journal club and departmental talk attendance)
• Responsible for providing compensation to research participants as specified in the research protocol and for processing some lab purchases and submitting reimbursements.
• Assist overseeing part-time undergraduate research assistants who perform data entry, recruit research participants, and run laboratory and online sessions.
• Weekly meetings with Dr. Sun to discuss research, recruitment progress and issues, data storage and analysis, plus regular email contact within working hours as needed.

Working Conditions:

Job Location/Working Conditions

• The employee will have a work area in the Somers Family Building.
• Must have ability to travel to various on- and off-campus locations.

Physical Effort:

• Typically working at desk or table.
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.

Equipment

• Office equipment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree

Certifications:

No specific certification is required for this position.

Work Experience:

No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Applications received before April 12, 2025 will be given full consideration, but we will continue accepting application on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please submit a CV, a cover letter that details your motivation for applying for this position and addresses how you meet each of the criteria listed under the preferred qualifications section, and contact information for two references.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications:

No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.

Skills:

Not Applicable

Grade
R06-H

Salary Range
$16.92 - $26.44 / Hourly

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ .

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu  or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.