JobForProf
UCSD

Staff Research Associate I

The University of California, San Diego

COGNITIVE SCIENCEPosted October 7, 2026Job ID: 141636

About this position

Position Description

The Department of Cognitive Science promotes the study of learning, perception, action, and interaction in the physical, material, social, and cultural world. The approach is inter-disciplinary employing ideas and techniques from a number of contributing disciplines, including anthropology, communications, computer science, ethology, electrical engineering, linguistics, neurology, neurosciences, philosophy, psychology, rhetoric, and sociology. The interdisciplinary cognitive science community on campus is integral to cognitive science as practiced at UCSD. The department offers an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in addition to the departmental Ph.D., with participation by members of the Departments of Anthropology, Biology, Cognitive Science, Communication, Computer Science and Engineering, Linguistics, Music, Neuroscience, Philosophy, Psychiatry, Psychology, and Sociology. The Staff Research Associate I, will join the Greene Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience lab to assist the PI (Dr. Deanna Greene) and other lab members in a research project aimed at examining the brain mechanisms underlying symptoms of children with Tourette syndrome. Primary duties and responsibilities will include interacting with participants and their families, recruiting, screening, and scheduling participants, and assisting with neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI), cognitive, and clinical data collection and management. The position will also assist with scoring, processing, and analyses of behavioral, clinical, and fMRI data, managing IRB protocols, participant payment, imaging costs, and entering/managing databases. The incumbent will join a collaborative research team that studies typical and atypical brain development, bringing together perspectives from cognitive science, psychology, clinical psychology, neuroscience, and computational neuroscience. Work Schedule: Variable. Flexible schedule to accommodate child participants and their families' schedules.

Qualifications

Experience working with children, preferably in a research setting. Background and experience in administering cognitive and clinical tests. Knowledge of MRI methods for research in cognitive neuroscience. Knowledge of statistics and research methodology. Experience in using various computing operating systems and software. Theoretical knowledge in psychology, neuroscience, and biology or biomedical areas. Ability to work independently, use good judgement and make decisions. Ability to develop, follow, and troubleshoot established lab protocols and lab procedures. Excellent, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. Ability to usetact, diplomacy, discretion and flexibility with diverse personalities and situation. Ability to effectively work as part of a research team, and interact effectively with collaborating labs and others in scientific community. Ability to maintain electronic filing systems. Demonstrated organizational skills.