Department: Tx Inst Measure, Eval & Stat
Salary: Minimum $ 38,100.00 Middle $ 47,600.00
Description:
Provides expertise in support of research projects in social science, behavioral science, or humanities, including psychology, sociology, education, etc. Performs advanced testing procedures, data collection, and analysis. Prepares reports. May work with human subjects and contribute to grant proposal development. Ensures experiments are performed according to specifications. Understands and applies fundamental theoretical concepts. Develops understanding of advanced theoretical concepts.
1. Work is varied and somewhat difficult.
2. Originality and ingenuity is required.
3. Receives direct supervision referring complex situation to higher levels.
4. May make recommendations to changes in procedure, processes, or experimental design.
5. May prepare and/or edit research papers, proposals and reports.
MQ: Education: Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job-related 4 year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed. Experience: Requires a minimum of one (1) year of directly job-related experience.
The Laboratory of Early Experience and Development (LEED), directed by Dr. Johanna Bick at the University of Houston, invites applications for a full-time Post-Baccalaureate Research Coordinator to support a newly funded NICHD R01 examining whether a scalable parenting intervention can improve early brain development and socioemotional functioning in infants born preterm. This longitudinal randomized controlled trial (RCT) follows infants from early infancy through the first two years of life using MRI, EEG, autonomic physiology, and behavioral assessments to investigate how supportive caregiving influences developing brain systems that underlie social development, emotion regulation, and mental health. The project combines a rigorous intervention trial with cutting-edge multimodal neuroimaging and provides an outstanding opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing graduate training in developmental psychology, neuroscience, medicine, or related fields.
The Research Coordinator will serve as the primary coordinator of the study and will work closely with investigators, graduate students, research assistants, clinical collaborators, and participating families to ensure successful implementation of this large NIH-funded project.
Position Responsibilities
The Research Coordinator will play a central role in the day-to-day management of the project. Responsibilities include:
- Coordinate all aspects of a longitudinal NICHD R01 randomized controlled trial.
- Recruit and enroll families and maintain regular communication with participants.
- Schedule research visits, including infant MRI, EEG, intervention, and behavioral assessments.
- Coordinate with collaborators across the University of Houston and Texas Medical Center.
- Supervise and coordinate undergraduate research assistants.
- Manage participant tracking, scheduling, and study databases.
- Assist with regulatory activities, including IRB submissions and study documentation.
- Oversee data organization, quality control, and study records.
- Assist with behavioral coding, EEG and MRI data management, and data preprocessing.
- Assist with general laboratory operations, including maintaining study materials and equipment, ordering supplies, organizing laboratory resources, coordinating meetings, and supporting day-to-day laboratory administration.
- Assist with laboratory communications, including maintaining the laboratory website, coordinating social media and outreach activities, and helping disseminate research findings.
- Support manuscript preparation, conference presentations, and grant activities.
- Participate in weekly lab meetings and an active interdisciplinary research environment.
This position offers extensive mentorship and research experience for individuals planning careers in developmental science, neuroscience, clinical psychology, medicine, or related disciplines.
Qualifications
Required qualifications include:
- BA or MA degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Biology, Public Health, or a related field.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while managing multiple responsibilities.
- Interest in infant development, developmental neuroscience, or clinical research.
- Willingness to work evenings or weekends to accommodate family schedules.
Preferred qualifications include experience with one or more of the following:
- Research with infants, young children, or families.
- Participant recruitment and longitudinal study coordination.
- Behavioral observation or developmental assessments.
- REDCap or other research databases.
- Proficiency with spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets) for data organization, tracking, and quality control.
- Programming experience (R, Python, MATLAB).
- Experience supervising undergraduate research assistants.
Research Environment
The LEED Lab studies how early experiences shape brain development and mental health across infancy and early childhood using multimodal neuroimaging, psychophysiology, behavioral observation, intervention research, and longitudinal developmental methods.
Current projects include:
- Infant structural, diffusion, and functional MRI.
- EEG and neural markers of emotion regulation.
- Parenting interventions and early brain plasticity.
- Prematurity and early brain development.
- Caregiving, adversity, and resilience.
- Early predictors of developmental and mental health outcomes.
The Research Coordinator will work alongside developmental psychologists, neuroscientists, pediatricians, neonatologists, and imaging scientists while gaining broad exposure to developmental research methods and clinical research practices.
Appointment
This is a full-time benefits-eligible position with an initial one-year appointment and the possibility of renewal based on performance and continued funding. The anticipated start date is Fall 2026, although a flexible start date is possible. Application
Applicants should submit:
- Curriculum vitae or résumé.
- Cover letter describing research interests, career goals, and relevant experience.
- Contact information for three professional references.
Applications will be reviewed beginning immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.
The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.
