Research Specialist I

Job TitleResearch Specialist I Agency Texas A&M Agrilife Research Department Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture-Project Management Proposed Minimum Salary$5,161.70 monthly Job LocationCollege Station, Texas Job TypeStaff Job Description About Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, IHA The Texas A&M AgriLife, IHA, is the worlds first academic institute to bring together precision nutrition, responsive agriculture, and social and behavioral research to reduce diet-related chronic disease and lower health care costs in a way that supports producers and the environment. Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M AgriLife Research College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University Texas A&M Forest Service Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory As the nations largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service. Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world! Position Information The Research Specialist I is responsible for coordinating research activities of the Human Behavior Laboratory (HBL) related to food and responsive agriculture. Duties include providing direct support for economic experiments, including programming of experiments, and integrating them into the hardware and software applications, maintenance of hardware equipment and software, coordinating and overseeing data collection, providing technical expertise and advice to researchers, and overseeing day-to-day research operations. Background The Human Behavior Lab is one of the largest labs in the world for implementing economic experiments incorporating neurophysiological data. The lab has state of the art equipment and software to simultaneously collect choice process data including eye tracking, facial expression analysis to assess human emotions, neural signals (electroencephalography), galvanic skin response (GSR), heart and respiration rates, in conventional computing settings and in virtual reality. The Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture conducts research at the forefront of nutrition, agriculture and social and behavioral science innovation. Responsibilities Develops the computer codes for experiments and integrates them into our multiple hardware and software platforms. Collects, cleans, and archives experimental data. Oversees the day-to-day research operations of the HBL, including workflow and scheduling. Recruits, trains, and monitors research assistants. Recruits, manages, and handles compensation of experimental subjects. Oversees financial activities, including cash advancements and reconciliations. Prepares annual reports and others similar in nature. Responds to internal and external research queries about HBL research. Maintains records of experimental research projects, including all program versions, forms, protocols, instructions, and other experimental materials. Maintains records of IRB protocols and assists with applications. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree. Fours years of related experience. Experience developing and maintaining integrations between networked software platforms. Experience with real-time communications (e.g., web sockets) preferred. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others. Preferred Qualifications Bachelors degree in computer science or related field. Four years of experience computer programming in multiple languages. Experience in the design, development, testing, deployment, and support of web applications for research projects Web (Html, JavaScript, CSS, MVC -Django). Computer programming in multiple languages including Python, Java, JavaScript, SQL and Network Security. Other Requirements Computers, hardware and software for economic experiments, including eye trackers, electroencephalography. Ability to lift or move light, moderate, and heavy objects. Ability to exert light force. Work beyond normal office hours and/or work on weekends as needed. What You Need to Know Salary: Compensation for this position is commensurate based on the selected candidates qualifications. Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife? When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents. In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following: Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums 12-15 days of annual paid holidays Up to eight hours of paid sick leaveand at leasteight hours of paid vacation each month Automatic enrollment in theTeacher Retirement System of Texas Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife Applicant Instructions Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application. Required Documents CV/ Resume Cover letter List of references Certifications/ additional documentation All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institutions verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institutions procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer. As the largest comprehensive agriculture and life sciences program nationally, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies within the Texas A&M University System With over 5,000 employees, and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, the environment, and the economy of Texas and the nation through education, research, extension and service. If your goal is the pursuit of excellence and your vision is to make a difference in this world, we invite you to explore our opportunities to discover what a career at Texas A&M AgriLife has to offer you. Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M AgriLife Research College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University Texas A&M Forest Service Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Texas A&M AgriLife collaborates with Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and West Texas A&M University as well as with other public and private partners. Prospective employee benefits Retirement programs Commitment to inclusive excellence Strategic plan