Sr. Research Assistant (KSAS - Cognitive Science)

Baltimore, MDPosted Aug 5, 2026

The Cognitive and Brain Sciences Lab in the Department of Cognitive Science is seeking a Sr. Research Assistant to advance research on a large, multi-year project that is transitioning from the data collection phase to data curation, analysis and publication preparation. The multi-modal data set includes behavioral, and neuroimaging (fMRI, MRI, DWI) data collected from older and younger adults during a longitudinal study designed to investigate the effects of aging on word learning.

The Sr. Research Assistant will work under the general direction of a faculty researcher or senior research staff and independently conducts a variety of operational and technical activities key to the conduct of and direction of the research.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

  • Develop data collection tools based on understanding of underlying study design.
  • Participate in developing standard operating procedures for one or more studies.
  • Design and set up standard operating procedures.
  • Oversee data collection.
  • Analyze data under general oversight and make data-driven recommendations.
  • Oversee day-to-day activities and provide training for new staff on study.
  • Conduct literature searches to pull background material and identify information relevant and applicable to research interest.
  • Other duties as assigned.

In Addition to the Duties Described Above

  • Work with supervised independence in the analysis of both behavioral data (reaction time, errors and accuracy) and neuroimaging data (fMRI).
  • Supervise undergraduate research assistants working on the project.
  • Utilize research and writing skills to support the development of literature reviews and contribute to methods and results sections for publication.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
  • Two years of related experience.
  • Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education permitted by the JHU equivalency formula beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master's Degree in a related field.
  • Degree (or extensive coursework) in Cognitive Science, Cognitive Psychology, or Cognitive Neuroscience.
  • Prior experience as a research assistant in a laboratory studying psycholinguistics and/or neurobiology of language.

Technical Qualifications & Specialized Certifications

  • Experience, training, or coursework in analysis of fMRI data.
  • Experience, training, or coursework in Linear Mixed Effects Modeling.
  • Familiarity with research in psycholinguistics and neurobiology of language.

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

  • Analytical Skills - Developing
  • Attention to Detail - Developing
  • Electronic Office Tools - Developing
  • Information Gathering - Developing
  • Oral and Written Communications - Developing
  • Organizational Skills - Developing

The core technical skills listed are most essential; additional technical skills may be required based on specific division or department needs.

Classified Title: Sr. Research Assistant Job Posting Title (Working Title): Sr. Research Assistant (KSAS - Cognitive Science) Role/Level/Range: ACRP/03/MB Starting Salary Range: $21.70 - $29.86 - $38.00 HRLY (Commensurate w/exp.) Employee group: Limited Schedule: Variable; annual average up to 19 hr/wk FLSA Status: Exempt Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus Department name: Cognitive Science Personnel area: School of Arts & Sciences

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