RESEARCH SPECIALIST I

The Department of Psychological Sciences in the College of Arts & Science

Do you have experience working with young children and research experience? Would you like to gain experience working on a large, longitudinal study investigating children's early number understanding? Join the MU Math Study team in the Department of Psychological Sciences and become part of a collaborative research lab led by Professor David C. Geary. Our NIH-funded project explores how young children develop cognitive and math skills, following them over time through rich, in-person data collection.

This is an ideal position for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual looking to gain more research experience on topics related to early math learning, child development, and parental influences before pursuing a PhD in a related field.

As a Research Specialist I, you'll play a key role in coordinating and conducting research activities in homes, schools, and on the MU campus. You'll be part of a dynamic team that includes faculty, staff, and student researchers, all working together to uncover insights that can inform future intervention studies to improve education practices.

This position has an anticipated start date in late July and is 30 hours/week.

Key Responsibilities:

Support & Communication

• Schedule home and school visits with participating families and field teams
• Maintain clear, consistent communication with families, schools, and your research team
• Facilitate team meetings to plan, align, and troubleshoot logistics
• Support the onboarding and training of undergraduate researchers for data collection

Conduct Fieldwork

• Complete training to lead structured home visits and preschool assessments
• Use personal vehicle to travel to schools and homes, sometimes transporting a partner. You will receive mileage reimbursement.
• Administer interviews, observations, and cognitive tasks - capturing meaningful parent-child and classroom interactions
• Ensure all assessments follow established research protocols with high fidelity and reliability

Manage Data

• Process, score, and code research data with precision
• Support other lab members with data archiving and organization (paper and digital)
• Gather, track, and summarize project data
• Use Microsoft 365 tools to manage scheduling, communication, and documentation
• Collaborate on reports, summaries, and planning activities with the Lab Manager and Principal Investigator

What You Bring

This is a great opportunity to contribute to meaningful, real-world research while growing your skills in data collection, analysis, and collaborative teamwork. Plus, you'll enjoy the benefits of working at the University of Missouri, including health care coverage and PTO days for eligible employees.

Generally, schedule is Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Some evening and weekend hours will be required. This is a 30 hours/week appointment.

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.

• Research with Human Subjects certification from the MU Institutional Research Board (IRB) is required within 14 days of hire
• A valid driver's license is required
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Psychology, Education, Human Development and Family Science, or a related social science field
• Prior experience withing with young children in educational, research, or caregiving setting
• Experience teaching or training groups, with the ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team
• Comfortable working with structured processes and protocols, with a strong attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel, Work, and Teams

Salary Range: $18.00 - $22.00/hour

Grade: GGS - 007

University Title: Research Specialist I

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume detailing their interest and experience.

Visa Sponsorship Information:
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

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 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.