Research Specialist I - Neuroscience of Education Research on Development (NERD) Lab

Hiring Department

Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences- College of
Health Sciences

Job Description

Dr. Laura M. Morett’s Neuroscience of Education Research on
Development (NERD) Lab in the College of Health Sciences –
Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at the
University of Missouri – Columbia is seeking applicants for a
full-time Research Specialist I. The lab conducts research on the
cognitive and neural bases of typical and disordered language
processing and acquisition, focusing in particular on hand gesture.
A variety of methods, including electroencephalography (EEG),
functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and eye-tracking are
used to examine language and gesture across the lifespan in typical
development and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Job Description Summary:

The Research Specialist I will handle multiple organizational and
administrative details of assigned projects, including but not
limited to the recruitment, screening, and scheduling of study
participants and conducting online and telephone interviews. The
Research Specialist I will also coordinate the follow-up of study
participants with some oversight of day-to-day operation of the
project; develop, program, and test experimental paradigms; assist
in the preparation of IRB applications, progress reports and other
summary materials; and perform literature searches. Additional
responsibilities include ordering materials, tracking research
related supplies, detailed record-keeping, filing, assisting with
the supervision and training of research assistants, the sending
and receiving of study equipment, the cleaning and offloading of
data from study devices (e.g., EEG, fNIRS, and eye-tracking), study
participant payments, and other duties as assigned. The Research
Specialist I will assist in the preparation of manuscripts for
publication, conference presentations, and grant proposals. There
will be opportunities to lead and/or collaborate on papers,
posters, and presentations for scientific meetings. The Research
Specailist I will work independently and collaboratively with other
team members to fulfill the goals of the projects.

Job Responsibilities:

• Focuses on completing work effectively, efficiently, and in a

timely fashion

• Understands how own assigned duties relate to others in the

team and how the team integrates with others

• May assist staff, faculty, students and/or general public with

the basic operation of equipment and/or with production
activities

• Uses existing procedures to solve routine problems and perform

a range/variety of tasks/activities

• Recognizes and solves typical problems that can occur in own

work area without supervisory approval; evaluates and selects
solutions from established options

• Provides recommendations to supervisor as needed and/or

requested

• Impacts the quality of own work
• Communicates basic technical information with team members
• Provides information to and exchanges information with

appropriate and/or various parties

• Other job-related duties as necessary and job development

Shift

Monday – Friday

8:00am – 5:00pm

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and
relevant experience and at least 1 year of experience from which
comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences or a
related discipline (e.g., psychology, linguistics, neuroscience);
familiarity with EEG, fNIRS, and/or eye-tracking and relevant data
collection and analysis software (e.g., PsychoPy, R, Matlab);
experience working with individuals with ASD; experience conducting
experimental research on cognition, cognitive neuroscience, and/or
language processing.

Anticipated Hiring Range

This position is grant funded. Employment is contingent upon
available grant funding.

Anticipated Hiring Range: $17.40 – $30.30 per hour

Grade: GGS 007

University Title: Research Specialist I

Internal applicants can determine their current grade and
university title by accessing the Job Information page through the
Additional Employee Info tile in myHR.

Application Materials

Completed online application, cover letter, and resume are
required.

Applications must be submitted on-line through the University of
Missouri website: https://hr.missouri.edu/job-openings ( search
for Job Opening 61473 ).

Application Deadline

Applications will be reviewed until well-qualified applicants are
identified to advance to the interview process.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this
position.

Other Information

At the Mizzou College of Health Sciences https://healthsciences.missouri.edu/about/ , we work
every day to improve the health and well-being of individuals and
communities.

As the home of the most popular major on campus, we teach Mizzou
students who care about health and are dedicated to serving others.
In addition to learning in the classroom, our students spend more
than 80,150 hours helping patients every year.

Our faculty are driven to solve real-world problems. They lead the
way by conducting research that has power and purpose. From
expanding the use of technology in health care to improving mental
health and learning in schools, we are discovering ways to make
life better for everyone.

Through clinics and community outreach programs, we provide vital
services to members of our community and training for our students.
We are proud to serve Missourians today while preparing the
workforce of tomorrow.

Community Information

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and
a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests.
Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its
location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and
travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia
is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple
hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone
County’s largest population center offering big-city culture,
activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is
home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts
more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your
career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire,
Columbia is a good place to be!

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your
total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits
package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,
paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental
leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all
four UM System campuses. For additional information on University
benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at

https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an
Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of
Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

61473