Research Assistant I in Palo Alto, California at Palo Alto University
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Job Description
Palo Alto University (PAU), a private, non-profit university, founded in 1975 and located in the heart of Northern California’s Silicon Valley, is a community grounded in values of social justice, dedicated to addressing pressing and emerging issues in the fields of psychology and counseling that meets the needs of today’s diverse society. The students at PAU reflect the diversity of the region, are engaged in their education, and committed to improving the lives of others. The University sees diversity in its staff and faculty as very important to serving its diverse student body (or synonymous with inclusive excellence). PAU offers undergraduate and graduate programs with online, hybrid and residential options. PAU has an engaged faculty who make significant contributions to their fields and prepare future leaders who make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. When you put all of this together, PAU creates a legacy of confident, competent, and compassionate professionals who are at the forefront of psychology and counseling and who move ahead in life by moving lives ahead.
Position Description
Job Title: Research Assistant I
Department: Counseling
Reports To: Susan Branco
Location: Remote via Zoom
Date: September 10, 2026 through June 30, 2027
Employment Status: Part Time; approximately 10 hours per week
*Please note that position is partially funded by Research Start-up funding as part of this faculty’s negotiated contract as follows: 2026-2027-$3800; 2027-2028-$3800
Overview
- Lab Operations Manager for the Critical Adoption Studies Research Lab (CASRL): Organizing research files, managing timelines, and coordinating the lab’s team of student volunteers.
- Co-Researcher: Assisting with data collection, coding, and manuscript preparation, and directly contributing to scholarly output.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
- Act as Lab Operations Manager for the Critical Adoption Studies Research Lab (CASRL)
- Manage project timelines,
- Coordinate the lab’s team of student volunteers.
- Conduct literature reviews and gather relevant research articles.
- Assist in the preparation of manuscripts and presentations.
- Attend research/administrative meetings and take notes.
- Assist in the organization of research materials and data.
- Complete clerical updates to Canvas
- Assist with various course tasks.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Be a current PAU student
- CES doctoral applicant or MA in CMHC student
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field
- Be detail-oriented; Have strong organizational, verbal, and written communication skills
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Proficient with APA formatting
- Proficient with Qualtrics/Google surveys
- Comfort with Excel/Google sheets
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Knowledge of research methods and data analysis software is preferred
- Familiarity with counseling-related research preferred
- Experience with IRB protocols and procedures preferred
Application Procedures:
PAU is committed to providing an educational environment that supports a diverse, equitable and inclusive population. In your cover letter, please include information on how your background and experience has prepared you to be in an environment that holds equity and inclusion core to its mission and values.
EEOC Policy:
The University is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and in the application of its personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, employment decisions will be made irrespective of the staff member’s race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (cancer- related or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary, the University will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities, if the individual is otherwise qualified to safely perform all essential functions of the position and if it will be done without undue hardship to the University.