Research Technician Associate - Zahodne Lab

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How to Apply

1) Resume, cover letter describing interest in position and relevant previous experience, 2) Names of 3 individuals who can provide letters of recommendation upon request 3) Undergraduate transcript.

Documents should be uploaded via the UM Careers website as a single, electronic document of application materials that also includes your CV or resume.

Job Summary

The laboratory of Dr. Laura Zahodne in the Department of Psychology seeks to hire a full-time Research Technician Associate. This lab uses the methods of clinical neuropsychology, neuroimaging, and epidemiology to examine psychosocial influences on cognitive and brain aging in diverse older adults. Primary research questions include: What social and environmental mechanisms underlie racial/ethnic disparities in Alzheimer's disease? What social and environmental resources might buffer against the cognitive impact of brain pathology in older adults?

Training will be provided in multiple methods, including neuropsychological testing, clinical interviewing, magnetic resonance imaging, phlebotomy, and data management. Opportunities for co-authorship on presentations and publications are available for highly motivated candidates. The successful candidate will be highly organized, reliable, conscientious, and able to work with minimal supervision in a team setting. (S)he will also possess excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, show rapid learning, and demonstrate cultural competence and the desire to work with racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse older adults with and without cognitive impairment in the community.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

  • Generous time off, including vacation time, sick time, holiday and season days
  • A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
  • Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Long-term disability coverage
  • Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

In addition, LSA offers:

  • Strong commitment to work/life balance
  • Flexible work arrangements with respect to campus stakeholder needs
  • Enhanced tuition support programs for LSA courses

As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.

Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care - that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

Responsibilities*

The Research Associate will play an integral role in the functioning of the lab by fulfilling research, administrative, and supervisory responsibilities.

  • Participant-oriented research tasks 
    • Recruiting participants
    • Running participants through neuropsychological and/or biomarker protocols on the University of Michigan campus, Detroit Center, and/or participants' homes in Washtenaw and Wayne counties
    • Transporting participants to/from their homes and research locations
  • Research administration tasks 
    • Writing and maintaining Institutional Review Board protocols
    • Managing participant incentives
    • Refining data collection procedures and materials
    • Creating project manuals and code books
    • Entering, processing, managing, and analyzing behavioral and MRI data
  • Supervisory tasks 
    • Training Assistants in Research (temporary positions)
    • Overseeing and supporting Assistants in Research assignments (e.g., data collection, coding, and entry)

Required Qualifications*

  • High school diploma or Associate's degree
  • At least 1 year of research experience
  • Excellent organizational, problem-solving, writing, and computing skills
  • Cultural competence and excellent interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work well independently and as part of a team
  • Attentive to details and able to manage simultaneous projects
  • Must be able to travel to and from work locations

Desired Qualifications*

  • Bachelor's degree in Psychology, neuroscience, or a related field
  • Experiencing working with older adults
  • Experience working with cognitively impaired individuals
  • Experience in community-based research
  • Experience with or an eagerness to learn MRI methods, programming, and phlebotomy
  • Familiarity with REDCap or similar software
  • Research interests in cognitive aging and/or dementia disparities

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

The salary range is $31,200 - $33,900. Please note a  higher salary may be possible for well-qualified applicants.


This is a 12-month term-limited position with the possibility of renewal. The start date is negotiable.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.