Junior Specialist- Beck Lab

Position overview

Salary range: A reasonable estimate for this position is $55,000 at Step 1.

Open date: January 30, 2026

Next review date: Monday, Feb 16, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Friday, May 29, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

The Junior Specialist must possess a bachelor s degree (or equivalent degree) completed prior to the start date, or equivalent research experience in psychology, social science research methods, or related fields. In accordance with APM 330, this position is intended for individuals at the baccalaureate level who are actively engaged in research; it is generally not appropriate for individuals who hold a master s or doctoral degree in the relevant discipline.

Reporting Relationship

The Junior Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Emorie Beck, in the Beck Personality Lab.

Research (Required)

The Junior Specialist will be actively and significantly involved in publishable research of scholarly quality and significance. The incumbent will contribute to two federally funded ecological momentary assessment (EMA) projects examining (1) personalized assessment and prediction of psychological processes and (2) social and cognitive health dynamics in middle-aged and older adults using a measurement burst design.

Specific research duties include:

• Assisting the PI with study design, protocol development, and refinement of EMA and longitudinal research methods.
• Coordinating and supporting participant recruitment, enrollment, and retention for intensive longitudinal studies. Managing and overseeing day-to-day data collection procedures, including mobile assessment platforms and survey software.
• Monitoring data quality, ensuring protocol adherence, and troubleshooting data collection issues as they arise.
• Conducting scientific literature reviews relevant to personality processes, cognition, aging, and intensive longitudinal methods.
• Preparing, cleaning, and documenting datasets to support statistical analysis and reproducible research workflows.
• Contributing intellectually to data interpretation and the development of future study aims and analytic plans.
• Assisting with the preparation, writing, and revision of scholarly manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals, with the expectation that contributions may result in authorship or acknowledgment as appropriate.
• Presenting research findings in lab meetings and, as opportunities arise, at regional or national scientific conferences.

Through these activities, the Junior Specialist will demonstrate effective planning and execution of research projects and make creative scholarly contributions that extend beyond routine or technical research support.

Professional Competence (Optional at Junior Rank)

The Junior Specialist will be encouraged to develop professional competence through activities such as:

• Attending and participating in relevant scientific conferences, workshops, or training sessions in psychology, personality research, aging, or quantitative methods.
• Engaging with appropriate professional or technical societies related to psychological science.
• Pursuing additional training in statistical programming, intensive longitudinal data analysis, or research ethics as relevant to the lab s work.

University and Public Service

University and public service expectations at the Junior Specialist rank will be modest and may include:

• Mentoring and training undergraduate research assistants in research protocols and responsible conduct of research.
• Contributing to lab-related service activities such as maintaining shared research resources or assisting with research-related events, contingent on funding and project needs.

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

• Bachelor s degree
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Experience working in a lab/research setting
• Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Excel & Word, Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Drive)

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Authorization to Release Information Form - This form is required for all applicants applying to academic recruitments. Please see the Employment Disclosure Requirements webpage for more information. Download, complete, sign, and upload the form.

Reference requirements

• 2-3 letters of reference required

Apply link: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./JPF
07477

Help contact: ycpersonnel

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being…