Full-time Research Assistant Position in Computational Cognitive Neuroscience at UC Irvine
About the position
A full-time research assistant / lab manager position is available in the Department of Cognitive Sciences at the University of California, Irvine, working with Dr. Megan Peters (https://faculty.sites.uci.edu/cnclab/).
Our work investigates the neural and computational correlates of perceptual decision-making, metacognition, and conscious awareness, mostly in humans. We use computational modeling (signal detection theory, Bayesian inference), machine learning, and psychophysics coupled with neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, EEG) to understand how we make sense of our perceptual experiences, integrate information in meaningful ways, feel confident in our perceptions, and become aware of our environment through our senses.
The job entails both administrative and research responsibilities. Administrative duties include updating IRB protocols, recruiting participants, maintaining participant records (e.g., consent forms, screening forms), maintaining the lab website, documenting lab procedures, ordering lab supplies and maintaining petty cash records, and day-to-day organizational tasks – generally, being the “point person” for lab operations. Research duties include assisting PI Peters and current lab members with ongoing projects, including recruiting participants, running behavioral experiments in the lab, collecting fMRI data (including real-time fMRI/decoded neurofeedback), and assisting with data cleaning and analysis. We also hope that the research assistant will take on at least one independent project of their own, such as: implementing behavioral experiments in the lab or at large scale (web-based), reanalyzing publicly available or previously acquired data using new analyses or computational models, and devising new tasks to test the core hypotheses of the lab.
This is a one-year position with strong expectation of renewal for a second year, and possibility of further renewals. This is a “Junior Specialist” position (Step I) which pays $51,300 (with cost of living adjustments to follow annually), and includes a comprehensive benefits package. See here for salary scales and projected increases.
Qualifications
More than anything else, we are looking for someone who is organized, dependable, collegial, and curious. Beyond that, there are certain specific requirements and desired skills:
Required qualifications:
Preferred qualifications:
Is this job right for me?
This position is ideal for someone who is considering a PhD in cognitive sciences, psychology, or neuroscience. You will gain hands-on experience with nearly every aspect of the scientific process. You will work on projects that aim to produce scientific publications in a short period of time. At UC Irvine you will be immersed in an extremely vibrant research community, including regular contact with researchers in Cognitive Sciences, Neurobiology, Computer Science, Philosophy, Engineering, and Statistics.
Applying
Please apply via this link: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF07861. The cover letter should be addressed to Dr. Megan Peters. Please do not email materials, as we can only consider applicants who apply through the above link. The application closes June 30, 2023.
Review of applications will start July 1, 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.
Start date is ideally on or before September 1, 2023.
A note on international applicants:
UCI can in principle sponsor visas for international applicants. We hope to have someone start in this position by September 1, so if the visa process would take 1-2 months that could work in principle. If your visa application/approval process would take 6 months, however, that would be too long as we need someone to start in this position by the beginning of the fall.
We plan to review all the applications as soon as possible after the deadline and hope to conduct interviews for shortlisted applicants in early July. Please check with the UCI International Office and visa/international offices in your home country for estimated timelines, and base your decision to apply on the information you receive from these resources.