"Research Specialist, Department of Surgery"

This role provides critical analytical and operational support to research faculty by ensuring the reliability and integrity of experimental data collection tools, coordinating digital assessments, and maintaining documentation for multi-site studies. The technician collaborates with faculty and research teams to refine experimental protocols, supports implementation of behavioral and psychological assessments, and ensures fidelity of data collection across technology-enhanced platforms. While the position requires technical fluency (e.g., Unity for research task development), its primary focus is research facilitation, data readiness, and methodological alignment with project goals.

This work enables the lab to conduct rigorous, high-impact behavioral and public health research. The technician’s contributions ensure research tools are scientifically sound, scalable, and aligned with the strategic and operational goals of the funded projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting experimental task design and human-subjects research protocols
• Ensuring consistency and integrity in data collection processes across study sites
• Collaborating with faculty to adapt research instruments for digital and field-based implementation
• Managing research software builds and tools that directly inform data outputs for analysis
• Documenting and maintaining standard operating procedures, version tracking, and deployment planning to support reproducibility and cross-study alignment

This is a restricted position with no set end date; continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Public Health, Human-Computer Interaction, Data Science, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
• Demonstrated experience supporting data-driven research projects, particularly those involving behavioral or psychological outcomes.
• Familiarity with data collection methods and tools used in human subjects research, including digital survey platforms, experimental task software, and mobile-based assessments.
• Experience contributing to the development and refinement of study instruments and data collection workflows (e.g., VR-based tasks, mobile assessments), with an emphasis on ensuring data integrity and consistency
• Ability to manage multiple studies simultaneously, apply structured feedback, and work both independently and collaboratively with research teams
• Understanding of documentation and version control best practices for research instruments (e.g., tracking task versions, documenting protocol changes)
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Experience:

• Prior work in academic or clinical research settings focused on behavioral health, mental health, or violence prevention
• Experience analyzing or preparing datasets for analysis in programs such as SPSS, R, or Python
• Exposure to integrating and interpreting data from biometric devices (e.g., heart rate variability monitors, eye tracking) to support psychosocial research
• Experience supporting the deployment of digital data collection tools in field-based or community settings (e.g., schools, clinics, community organizations)