Job Description

ABOUT US

The Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) is dedicated to solving education's greatest challenges. Through rigorous research, model training programs and partnerships with educators worldwide, we're pursuing equitable, accessible and effective learning for all. The GSE is a top-ranked school of education, known for its prestigious faculty, rigorous graduate degree programs, and its impact on the quality of education across the world. The GSE is committed to developing leaders in education research, practice and policy. Our community includes over 60 faculty, 400 students, 230 staff, 14,000 alumni and countless individuals from the local and global communities that we work with and impact.

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a conscientious, intrinsically motivated research assistant to join a unique, large-scale, grant-funded intervention project exploring the psychology and neuroscience of open-mindedness in political contexts. This position is ideal for a post-baccalaureate individual interested in social psychology, neuroscience, and the intersection of these fields with the study of social conflict. The project will investigate the psychological and neural bases of openness to differing viewpoints and apply scientific theory to address some of today's most pressing social challenges—encouraging open-mindedness, overcoming bias blind spots, and fostering empathy and understanding across social-political divides.

You will work closely with Principal Investigator Geoffrey Cohen and an interdisciplinary team of renowned researchers, including Janine Dutcher, David Creswell, David Sherman, Valerie Purdie-Greenaway, and others.

The role involves coordinating and conducting a large-scale, in-person research study. You will be responsible for creating behavioral stimuli, recruiting participants from both the campus and local community, coding behavioral experiments for implementation in an fMRI scanner, guiding participants through the fMRI process, managing and cleaning data, and assisting with data analysis.

While prior experience with fMRI studies is preferred, it is not required. However, you must be eager to invest the time needed to learn these skills. Additionally, you should have the necessary coding experience to program behavioral experiments.

This position is a 1-year fixed term appointment based on Stanford University’s main campus. Consideration will be given to a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite work), subject to operational needs, but generally the project requires you to be physically present on campus . Interested candidates should include a resume, cover letter describing why they are interested in this position at this stage in their career and contact information for three professional references for consideration.

CORE DUTIES:

• Coordinate and schedule meetings with interdisciplinary researchers
• Collaborate with a diverse team of scholars, integrating insights from psychology, neuroscience, and political science. This includes meeting one-on-one with project team members and incorporating their perspectives into summaries and action plans.
• Review relevant research in social psychology and neuroscience to inform design of our studies
• Run psychological and neuroscience experiments, including participant recruitment and scheduling
• Code and analyze behavioral data using Python/Matlab
• Contribute to the development and execution of novel interventions aimed at fostering open-mindedness
• Help oversee data management and help process neuroimaging data (training available)
• Project/grant administrative tasks: writing project updates, budgetary, seeking further grant opportunities, submitting IRB updates/renewals, managing administrative and bureaucratic processes that are part of a large-scale grant project.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in social psychology, cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, computer science, or a related field
• Proficiency in coding (e.g., Python, Matlab, R, or shell scripting)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills for participant recruitment and working with community samples

• Ability to self-manage and handle multiple aspects of a large-scale project

• Exceptional attention to detail and work ethic, with a strong ability to complete complex projects efficiently

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with fMRI or neuroimaging data acquisition and analysis
• Familiarity with Linux OS
• Experience with academic writing and publication
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Motivated, self-starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Knowledge of research design and statistical analysis

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequent sitting.
• Occasionally stand/walk, reach/work above shoulders, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, use a telephone, sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat, kneel/crawl.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• May be exposed to blood borne pathogens.
• May be required to work non-standard, extended or weekend hours in support of research work.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, .

PLEASE NOTE:

• We are not able to provide sponsorship or relocation for this position.
• Successful candidates will be required to complete a background check prior to working at Stanford University.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the US. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

The expected pay range for this position is $31.40 - $33.65 per hour. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website ( provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

WHY STANFORD IS FOR YOU

Stanford’s dedicated 16,000+ staff, who come from diverse educational and career backgrounds. We are a collaborative environment that thrives on innovation and continuous improvement. At Stanford, we seek talent committed to excellence, driven to impact the future of our legacy, and improve lives on a global scale. We provide market competitive salaries, excellent health care and retirement plans, and a generous vacation policy, including additional time off during our winter closure. Our unique perks align with what matters to you:

• Freedom to grow. As one of the greatest intellectual hubs in the world, take advantage of development programs, tuition reimbursement plus $800 you receive annually towards skill-building classes, or audit a Stanford course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or leader discuss global issues.
• A caring culture. We understand the importance of your personal and family time and provide you access to wellness programs, child-care resources, parent education and consultation, elder care and caregiving support.
• A healthier you. We make wellness a priority by providing access to world-class exercise facilities. Climb our rock wall, or participate in one of hundreds of health or fitness classes.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums. Create an avatar and participate in virtual reality adventures or join one with fellow staff on Stanford vacations!
• Enviable resources. We offer free commuter programs and ridesharing incentives. Enjoy discounts for computing, cell phones, outdoor recreation, travel, entertainment, and more.

We pride ourselves in being a culture that encourages and empowers you.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at stanfordelr@stanford.edu. For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form.

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

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Full time, Fixed term contract, Local area, Remote job, Worldwide, Relocation, Outdoor, Weekend work,

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