Lab Assistant 3

LAB AST 3 (009602)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_941443

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

6/4/2026 6:10:21 PM

Date Last Edited:

6/4/2026 6:10:18 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

1300O

Organization:

LETTERS AND SCIENCE                    

Division Code:

1330D

Division:

L&S LIFE SCIENCES                      

Department:

087500 - PSYCHOLOGY

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_941443

Position Description ID

255905

UC Payroll Title:

LAB AST 3 (009602)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

TX: Technical

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

4 - Staff: Limited

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

0.5

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40851427

Reports to Payroll Title:

Professor

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40041384

Department Head Payroll Title:

Department Chair

GENERAL SUPERVISION - Indicates that the incumbent develops procedures for performance of variety of duties; or performs complex duties within established policy guidelines.

POSITION SUMMARY

The lab manager will provide research and administrative support to the SPHERE Lab; and, will work with Dr. Wilson to manage different research activities occurring within the SPHERE Lab.  The lab manager will participate in many aspects of the research process, including recruitment of research participants, development and maintenance of a database for participant recruitment and tracking, preparation and submission of IRB applications, data collection using a variety of methods, supervision of volunteer assistants, and data management and analysis.  Research projects focus on stigma, substance use, sexual health and behavior, and mental health among racial/ethnic minority and LGBTQ populations.  Methodological approaches employed in the SPHERE lab include field studies, intensive longitudinal measurement/ecological momentary assessment (EMA), experiments, including randomized controlled trials, biomarkers and physiological measurements, and qualitative methods.  Another key area of work in which the lab manager will engage is completing administrative tasks related the SPHERE Lab, including assisting with lab presentations and manuscripts, purchasing necessary supplies and managing petty cash, and overseeing updates to the lab website.

The UCLA Department of Psychology is an exceptional department known for its excellence in research, teaching, and service. With a distinguished faculty comprising more than 60 ladder rank members, it is one of the nation's top psychology departments. Its undergraduate program is the largest within the Division of Life Sciences and the UCLA College, with nearly 5,000 undergraduate students enrolled across three majors: Psychology, Psychobiology, and Cognitive Science and a minor program, Applied Developmental Psychology. The department also offers a comprehensive Ph.D. program with eight areas of study to approximately 200 enrolled graduate students.

Lab Management

A1. Assist the PI in setting annual and quarterly lab objectives, including both research and administrative aspects.

A2. Organize and lead regular lab meetings.

A3. Liaise with the Psychology Department hiring, finance and purchasing office on behalf of the PI.

A4. Assist in the recruitment, screening/interviewing, and management of volunteer research assistants.

A5. Assist with training of RAs on research skills (e.g., data collection, processing, entry), and mentoring RAs on professional development.

A6. Organize and implement lab social activities and create opportunities for team building.

A7. Manage lab website and work with UCLA IT to regularly update it.

A8. Create and maintain essential lab documentation such as lab manuals, student contracts, rubrics, rosters, and resources.

40%

Research & Data Management

B1. Create and update study protocols and measures/data dictionaries.

B2. Prepare, submit, and maintain IRB protocols and supporting materials.

B3. Prepare annotated bibliographies.

B4. Format manuscripts/reference lists, abstracts, and presentations and submit to journals and conferences.

B5. Organize and lead project-specific meetings.

B6. Develop and manage grant development timelines, including setting milestones, assigning action items, and writing.

30%

Data Analysis

C1. Engage in data cleaning/processing and data entry.

C2. Perform basic data analyses including obtaining frequencies/descriptive statistics and conducting basic bivariate and multivariate analyses.

C3. Prepare tables and figures for research papers and presentations.

C4. Develop qualitative codebook and conduct thematic analyses on audio recordings of participant interviews.

30%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's Degree

in Psychology, Psychobiology, or related field or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred

Experience working or volunteering in research lab settings.

Preferred

work in Research Design and Statistics. Understanding of longitudinal, field, experimental, mixed-methods, and other types of research methods.

Required

Demonstrated interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with research participants, students, staff, and supervisors from diverse and varying backgrounds.

Required

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and skilled in multitasking and remaining highly organized.

Required

Skilled in effectively managing large teams, including setting priorities and adapting flexibly to changing needs. Proficient in public speaking and team meeting facilitation, including crafting meeting agendas and materials.

Required

Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Required

Computer skills including word processing, web applications, email, and spreadsheets (especially Excel, Word, Outlook).

Required

Demonstrated ability to handle confidential materials with discretion.

Required

Familiarity with pre-registration processes and data collection platforms and databases (e.g., REDCap, Qualtrics).

Preferred

Skilled in using SPSS and/or R to manage databases and perform analyses.

Preferred

Experience in conference submissions, presentations, and paper publication.

Preferred

Knowledge of UCLA payment processing systems.

Preferred

Knowledge of forms and submission procedures to obtain research approval from the UCLA Institutional Review Board and Office for the Protection of Human Subjects.

Preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

5501 Pritzker Hall

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

Bending/Stooping

X

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.