Research Specialist I - Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

Research/Lab Technician I
Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
College of Health Sciences
University of Missouri - Columbia

Dr. Robin Karlin’s Neural Substrates of Speech and Timing (NeSST) Lab in the College of Health Sciences – Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at the University of Missouri – Columbia is seeking applicants for a full-time Research/Lab Technician I.

Job Description Summary:

The Research Technician will support research in the NeSST Lab (PI: Robin Karlin). The NeSST Lab conducts research on the cognitive and neural bases of typical and disordered speech production, using a range of behavioral methodologies including electromagnetic articulography (EMA), acoustic production studies, and perception studies.

This position will be responsible for performing data collection and analysis, oversight of participant recruitment, scheduling, and onboarding, coordination of lab finances (purchases, reimbursements, etc.), and additional administrative responsibilities. Depending on experience, the position may include opportunities to lead and/or collaborate on papers, posters, and presentations for scientific meetings. The Research Technician will work independently and collaboratively with other team members to fulfill the goals of the projects.

Job Responsibilities:

• (70%) Support and implement research
  • Conduct behavioral and neuroimaging experiments with research participants
  • Create and manage surveys and questionnaires through Qualtrics
  • Collect and analyze data using MATLAB, E-Prime, SMASH, standardized assessments, and/or functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
  • Write and review MATLAB code for data collection and analysis
  • Recruit participants and schedule testing sessions
  • Manage participant and project database through Ripplescience
• (30%) Lab management
  • Handle IRB requests (prepare consent forms, attend to project amendments, support preparation and submission of new protocols, document reportable events)
  • Coordinate with College fiscal, HR, and admin team on lab finances including purchases and grant budgeting
  • Train and oversee undergraduate and/or graduate student hourly employees on data collection and analysis procedures
  • Ordering materials, tracking research-related supplies, detailed record-keeping, filing
  • Maintain lab documentation and website content

40 hours per week, including occasional evening and weekend availability when needed.

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience and at least 1 year of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences or a related discipline (e.g., psychology, linguistics, neuroscience); familiarity with speech acoustics and/or kinematics; familiarity with relevant data collection and analysis (e.g. E-Prime, R, MATLAB, standardized language/cognitive assessments); experience working with individuals with speech and/or language disorders; experience conducting experimental research on cognition, cognitive neuroscience, and/or language processing.

Salary Range: $16.72 - $22.91 per hour
Grade: GGS 007
University Title: Research/Lab Technician I
Internal applicants can determine their current grade and university title by accessing the Job Information page through the Additional Employee Info tile in myHR.

Completed online application, cover letter, and resume are required.
Applications must be submitted on-line through the University of Missouri website: https://hr.missouri.edu/job-openings (search for Job Opening 55327).

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled, with a targeted start date of June 1, 2025.

At the Mizzou College of Health Sciences https://healthsciences.missouri.edu/about/, we work every day to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities.

As the home of the most popular major on campus, we teach Mizzou students who care about health and are dedicated to serving others. In addition to learning in the classroom, our students spend more than 80,150 hours helping patients every year.

Our faculty are driven to solve real-world problems. They lead the way by conducting research that has power and purpose. From expanding the use of technology in health care to improving mental health and learning in schools, we are discovering ways to make life better for everyone.

Through clinics and community outreach programs, we provide vital services to members of our community and training for our students. We are proud to serve Missourians today while preparing the workforce of tomorrow.

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.