Research Specialist I in Princeton, New Jersey at Princeton University

The Department of Psychology at Princeton University invites applications for a full-time Research Specialist position. Anticipated start date approximately July - September, 2026. This position could extend for two years upon satisfactory performance after the first year. The position involves conducting research with Drs. Rebecca Carey and Anuj Shah.

The position would involve standing meetings and regular check-ins on progress. We would invite open and regular communication with faculty, students, and staff. This would be a highly collaborative and interactive position. With Dr. Carey, the specialist may contribute to research on close relationships, social networks, inequality, social class, race, health and well-being, education, and intergroup relationships. With Dr. Shah, the specialist may contribute to research on judgment and decision-making, poverty, inequality, fairness, and criminal justice policy.

Responsibilities

As part of Drs. Carey and Shah’s labs, the research specialist will assist with different aspects of research, including:

(1) collaboration on projects (e.g., conducting literature reviews, completing IRB submissions and communicating with IRB staff, recruiting, scheduling and running participants, designing study materials, coding and analyzing data, reproducing analyses, collecting data from web samples, writing and editing papers, assisting with presentations)

(2) research team management (e.g., coordinating research project logistics, liaising with research partners, hiring, training and managing research assistants, leading research team meetings)

(3) general lab administration duties (e.g., managing lab calendar and meetings, updating lab documents and policies, maintaining lab website, purchasing lab necessities, maintaining lab equipment)

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in psychology or related social science field or discipline
• One or more years of research experience in a psychology lab
• General knowledge of social science research methods, statistics, and experimental studies with human subjects
• Experience using Qualtrics
• Excellent communication, management, and administrative skills
• Orientation to detail, conscientiousness, and organization
• Genuine interest to pursue psychological research

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in inequality or social disparities
• Familiarity with at least one software package for statistical analysis (R, Stata)
• Strong computer skills, including programming
• Grant writing experience

Application Process

This is a one-year position with the possibility (and expectation) of renewal for a second year contingent on satisfactory performance and continued funding. Note that unfortunately we cannot extend OPT work visas for a second year, and the aim is for this position to be a two-year position. Please submit a CV, a transcript, and a cover letter describing academic and research goals, as well as technical and research experience. At the end of your cover letter, please include your earliest possible start date and the contact information for at least two references.

The final candidate must pass a background check and approval by Princeton Human Resources.

Princeton University is 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 expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.