"Research Assistant I or II"

Dr. Elena Luchkina is hiring a full-time Research Assistant I or II for the Early Cognition and Communication Lab in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas. The lab investigates how language is learned and used for communication, with a particular focus on discussing information that is not directly observable, such as hidden objects, abstract ideas, or others' thoughts.

Current and upcoming projects address the following questions:

• How do adults and infants recognize when a novel signal is communicative?
• How do individuals begin linking words to unseen objects or abstract concepts?
• How do early interactions with AI influence language development, and what concerns do they raise for social development?

Our research bridges developmental and cognitive science to examine how early social interactions, communicative cues, and emerging technologies shape learning and cognition. The lab integrates behavioral, eye-tracking, and computational methods to study learning and communication.

We are seeking a motivated and organized researcher to oversee daily lab operations. Responsibilities include participant recruitment and database management; IRB coordination; administration of behavioral and eye-tracking experiments; data analysis (experience with R is highly valued); coordination with collaborators and contractors; and contributions to presentations and manuscripts.

This position is ideal for individuals interested in strengthening their research skills prior to applying to graduate school in the coming years. The role offers opportunities for in-depth multidisciplinary research training, development of data analysis skills, authorship on publications, conference attendance, and collaboration with a wide range of research groups.

The appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal contingent upon continued funding and satisfactory performance.

Posted: 17-Jan-26

Location: Richardson, Texas

Categories: Research - Laboratory/Non-Laboratory, Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 31107

Posting Number: S06824P