About the Job

This position supports research conducted at the Cognition and Neurodevelopmental Studies (CNS) Lab at the University of Minnesota. The CNS lab is a multiple PI-led research lab focused on brain and behavioral development in neurodevelopmental disabilities with a significant grant funding portfolio across multiple departments (Pediatrics, Institute of Child Development) housed at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. This position will support Project MAPLE: Mapping Autism with Precision in Language and Expression, a landmark $34.7M grant from Aligning Research to Impact Autism (ARIA) that will use advanced brain imaging, clinical assessment, and real-world tracking to better understand how language develops in children with autism.

The Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB) is dedicated to fostering healthy brain function across the lifespan through early neurobehavioral and mental health assessment, innovative targeted interventions, informed policy-making, compassionate child-advocacy, and community education. The MIDB’s mission of basic and clinical research in the field of neurobehavioral development is supported by a M Health Fairview multi-specialty clinic and multiple research service hubs including: Analytics, Informatics, Neuroimaging, Center for Neurobehavioral Development, Translational Neuroscience, Neuromodulation, TeleOutreach, Community Engagement and Education, and Clinic-Research Integration.

Meghan Swanson, PhD and Jed Elison, PhD are co-Directors of the CNS Lab, Casey Burrows, PhD is the Lab Director of Clinical Training, and Shanna Mliner is the Program Director of Project MAPLE. We are seeking a research coordinator with laboratory/clinical research and early childhood experience to assist with this research project. Responsibilities for these research coordinator positions include research study coordination, participant recruitment, consent, and data acquisition, training and supervision, and laboratory support. We are seeking candidates with knowledge of child development theory and research who have sufficient experience to ethically recruit, acquire informed consent, schedule appointments, conduct assessments (e.g., semi-structured parent interviews, behavioral testing with children), and acquire MRI data (learn to safely operate the scanner console) with child participants.

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week), prefers a minimum 2-year commitment, and will continue upon availability of funds and performance. Work will primarily be conducted in person at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain, engaging directly with families, participants, and a large team of staff members. This position offers an excellent opportunity for professional growth and training in developmental and behavioral assessment and brain imaging with MRI within a collaborative research environment.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. Your application will not be considered until all components are complete. Review of applications is ongoing, and the position(s) will remain open until the posting is removed. This research coordinator position will report directly to Shanna Mliner, Program Director.

Job Responsibilities:

Research Study Coordination (40%)

Responsible for research coordination of the research study from conception to completion, assisting the managers, director, and PIs to ensure timely progress and high-quality outcomes

Assist with the development and adhere to the research protocol and study procedures

Coordinate the day-to-day research operations

Communicate problems and assist in identifying solutions to fulfill research objectives

Provide regular recruitment/enrollment reports

Assist with storage and management of study data and supplies

Acquire front-end functional familiarity with databases, including tasks such as entering data, performing queries, examining quality control metrics, and extracting data for analyses

Participant Recruitment/Scheduling/Consent/Data Acquisition (40%)

Complete trainings to ethically recruit and acquire informed consent from participants
Schedule assessment and MRI scan research appointments with participants
Reliably administer participant assessments (e.g., structured parent interviews, behavioral, neurocognitive, language, developmental testing with children)
Learn the CNS Lab developmental neuroimaging standard operating procedures
Complete Center for Magnetic Resonance Research (CMRR) safety training to be able to operate the 3T & 7T scanner consoles
Assist with the collection of MRI data, which will require occasional night (7-11pm) or weekend daytime session hours
Adhere to all approved ethics and protocol procedures relating to participant privacy/ confidentiality and data integrity

Training and Supervision (10%)

Supervise, train, and direct work of undergraduate research assistants

Laboratory Support & Professional Development (10%)

Attend lab and/or project meetings
Support the broader lab team as needed
Assist with purchasing study materials and comply with purchasing procedures/documentation
Manage organization and inventorying of study supplies and equipment upkeep
Participate in the broader intellectual environment to augment professional development
Option to contribute to and generate scientific products (e.g., professional presentations, empirical publications)

Qualifications

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials

Required Qualifications:

BA/BS in Psychology, Human Development, Cognitive or Affective Neuroscience, or a related field or a combination of education and relevant work experience to equal at least four years
At least one year of experience as a research assistant or related position
Ability to collaborate effectively with people from a variety of communities, backgrounds, and identities
Proficiency with computer software on PC or Mac (i.e. Microsoft Office, Google Suite)
Strong written and spoken language skills
Demonstrable experience and expertise working with young children and their families
Demonstrable interest in learning about MRI, its application to brain development, and functional communication

Preferred Qualifications:

Two or more years experience working with children and families
Previous experience coordinating recruitment and data collection in longitudinal child development research
Experience in training and supervising undergraduate research assistants
Prior experience collecting MRI data
Ability to plan, problem-solve, and set goals while managing multiple tasks on a daily basis
Skillful with technology, assessments, statistical analysis, and document creation on iPad/Mac/PC (e.g. REDCap, Qualtrics, SPSS, R, SAS, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Adobe, email, online calendar, video conferencing tools)
Ability to communicate in multiple languages

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $51,000 - $56,000/year; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type : Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
University HSA contributions
Disability and employer-paid life insurance
Employee wellbeing program
Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
Financial counseling services
Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.

The University of Minnesota Medical School

Committed to innovation and diversity, the Medical School educates physicians, scientists, and health professionals; generates knowledge and treatments; and cares for patients and communities with compassion and respect. We value excellence, inclusiveness, collaboration, and discovery.
The mission of the regional campus located in Duluth is to be a national leader in improving healthcare access and outcomes in rural Minnesota and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. In partnership with CentraCare, the regional campus in St. Cloud offers a wide range of patient experiences throughout students’ education in Greater Minnesota and prepares them to become exceptional clinicians and leaders for rural and immigrant populations.

Founded in 1888, the University of Minnesota Medical School has three campuses. A four-year MD program and the MD/PhD program are located on the Twin Cities campus in addition to MD programs at regional campuses in Duluth and St. Cloud.

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Research Coordinator