Research Assistant

California Institute of Technology
vision insurance, parental leave, paid time off, sick time, tuition reimbursement
United States, California, Pasadena
Dec 02, 2024
Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community. Job Summary The Chen Center for Social and Decision Neuroscience (SDN) is seeking up to three full-time "pre-doc" Research Assistants. The successful candidates will have an interest in pursuing a Ph.D. program and subsequent research career in human social and decision neuroscience. The Research Assistants will work in a fast-paced, supportive research environment and learn to work independently and in collaboration. They will be introduced to active research life, enabled to do and publish high-quality science and prepared for admission to, and success at, high-quality Ph.D. programs. The Caltech SDN faculty is small but our collective research interests cover much ground. There is a wide range of affiliated faculty across different Chen Centers (see https://neuroscience.caltech.edu/people/affiliated-faculty1). We are interested in cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience, systems neuroscience, non-human animal studies, and how behaviors studied in social science (political judgment, consumer choice, strategic thinking, emotion, etc.) are implemented in the brain (see https://neuroscience.caltech.edu/about/research-centers/tc-chen-center-social-and-decision-neuroscience for details). At the end of one year, Research Assistants will give a formal research presentation open to the entire Caltech neuroscience community. The Research Assistants will conduct research in a Caltech lab group, supervised by an experienced senior faculty member (PI). Based upon the information provided in the statements of research, a matching algorithm will be used to match selected individuals with faculty (supervision by two or more faculty members is possible). The deadline to submit an application is March 1, 2025. Although flexible, the anticipated start date would be June 1 - September 1, 2025. Essential Job Duties Design and construct experiments. Collect and analyze data. Conduct presentations of the analyzed data. Attend regular lab science meetings and fully participate in lab activities. Basic Qualifications Bachelor's degree in a STEM field from a four-year accredited university by the start of the assignment. Prior research experience. Familiarity with R, Python, SPM or FSL (fMRI analysis), Overleaf. Have strong university academic records. Required Documents Resume. Two names of individuals who may be contacted for references. Statements of research interest. The research interest statements should indicate what type of research you would like to do at Caltech (750-word limit). Rank up to three (3) Caltech social and decision neuroscience faculty whose groups you would be most interested in joining (tied ranks are allowed; add 100 words about your motivation for ranking each person). A description of how this work experience will help you reach your academic and long-term career goals (500-word limit). Hiring Range $18.50 - $22.00 Per Hour The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks. EEO Statement We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. To read more Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) go to eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf. Disability Accommodations If you would like to request an accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Caltech Recruiting at employment@caltech.edu.