Staff Research Associate I

SRA 1 (009613)

UCPath Position ID: 41098628

Position Description History/Status

For Reference ONLY - PeopleAdmin JA Number:

1143041

Approved Date:

2/10/2026 8:10:38 PM

Date Last Edited:

2/10/2026 8:10:33 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

2/15/2024

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:

41098628

Position Description ID

171568

UC Payroll Title:

SRA 1 (009613)

Personnel Program

Professional and Support Staff (PSS)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

RX: Research Support Professionals

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40187672

Reports to Payroll Title:

Associate 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

A reliable, highly organized, and independent individual is sought for a full-time Staff Research Associate (SRA) Position in the Brain and Body Lab (BABLab) and Social Affective Neuroscience and Development Lab (SAND Lab), in the UCLA Department of Psychology, under the joint supervision of the Principal Investigators Dr. Bridget Callaghan and Dr. Jennifer Silvers. The SRA will be responsible for coordinating and conducting a research study on the effects of education and stress on brain health. The BABLab and SAND Labs study how early experiences shape physical and mental health outcomes. We utilize behavioral, fMRI, and health-related measures (e.g., microbiome and inflammation) to better understand phenomena related to stress, brain function, cognition, and emotion. The role of the SRA will involve implementing experiments, programming experimental tasks and questionnaire data collection software, recruiting and scheduling participants, running research sessions, and analyzing data. The SRA will also play an integral role in overseeing day-to-day study operations, which includes maintaining research equipment, overseeing IRB protocols, planning and scheduling events and research meetings, maintaining and analyzing data, and helping to supervise undergraduate research assistants. In addition to supporting the lab's functioning, the ideal SRA will have an opportunity to contribute creatively to research projects, work closely and productively with other lab members, and co-author academic papers and poster presentations.

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 5000 undergraduate students enrolled across three majors: Psychology, Psychobiology, and Cognitive Science. The department also offers a comprehensive Ph.D. program with eight areas of study to approximately 200 enrolled graduate students.

Data Collection with Human Subjects

 A1. Recruit participants and conduct telephone screenings with callers to assess study eligibility. Develop and maintain databases for participant recruitment and data. Enter participant data into web-based programs and research databases, and schedule research study sessions. (E) 

A2. Administer laboratory protocols including adversity exposure, mental health, memory behavior, psychophysiology, stress tasks. (E) 

A3. Attend fMRI safety and operations training, and administer fMRI scans. (E)

A4. Prepare and score research data for analysis. Oversee collection and storage of biological samples for biomarker assays. (E) 

A5. Manage data entry, quality assurance, and ensure confidentiality. (E) 

A6. Complete basic statistical analyses, using web-based data management programs and statistical computing programs. (E) 

A7. Supervise a team of undergraduate research assistants in data collection and management. (E) 

A8. Maintain and update large databases in REDCap, Excel, SPSS, R, and other programs. (E) 

A9. Assist with preparation of manuscripts for publication, support any revisions required. (E) 

A10. Maintain fMRI data on server and perform basic analyses such as quality assessments and preprocessing. (E)

60%

Lab Management

B1. Hiring and training undergraduate research assistants in data collection and management. (E) 

B2. Supervising undergraduate research assistants working on lab studies, scheduling, or interacting with participants. (E) 

B3. Maintaining lab instructions, references, and resources for all lab members. (E) 

B4. Manage cleanliness of lab. (E) 

B5. Monitoring supplies and purchases. (M) 

B6. Collaborating with fund manager to monitor and coordinate budget. (E) 

B7. Process payments for research participants, in compliance with PCI security standards. (E) 

B8. Process reimbursements for lab associated travel for PI and lab members. (E) 

B9. Scheduling and preparing for regular lab meetings. (E)  

B10. Assist with preparing scientific papers and posters. (E) 

B11. Managing intramural and federal grant budgets. (E)

30%

IRB Coordination and Grant Processing

C1. Develop IRB Protocols for new projects and renewing existing protocols with IRB. (E) 

C2. Maintain compliance with IRB procedures and assist in the preparation of IRB applications and renewals. (E) 

C3. Maintain confidential information of study participants. (E) 

C4. Train undergraduate research assistants on IRB compliance, participant information privacy and confidentiality. (E) 

C5. Assist with grant preparation and writing and collecting materials (e.g., cumulative or proposed study enrollment and demographics, budget information, equipment and facilities information) required for new grant submissions and renewals. (E)

10%

•

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, neuroscience, cognitive science or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required

Statistical background and basic competence in statistical programming (R, SPSS).

Programming skills in at least one language (e.g. R, Python, MATLAB).

Demonstrated ability to maintain professionalism and good decision making when confronted with difficult people or situations.

Required

Demonstrated ability to handle confidential materials with discretion.

Required

Experience with neuroimaging data acquisition and analysis, particularly FSL.

Preferred

Prior interest in, or experience with, working with developmental, or psychiatric, or special population groups.

Preferred

Knowledge of payment processing systems. (Cash-net and PCI).

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

Spanish bilingual.

Preferred

Ability to use standard office equipment, including multi-line telephones, recording equipment, and scanners.

Required

MRI scanner operation. MRI preprocessing and analysis.

Preferred

Excellent interpersonal skills for interacting with study participants as well as with other laboratory members.

Required

Excellent oral and written communication skills for communicating with research participants, representing the lab publicly, as well as when writing (e.g., updating the website, IRBs, scientific publications).

Required

Excellent organization skills and attention to detail required for adherence to study protocols, managing the lab, maintaining research equipment, curating database.

Required

Strong prior research experience in a lab setting within Psychology or related field.

Strong general computing skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite) in both Mac and PC).

Understanding of lab research methods.

Required

Ability to effectively prioritize, multitask, and manage co-occurring deadlines, projects, and team members, and to display adaptive and responsive decision making and problem-solving skills.

Required

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.

CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Medical Center/Clinic

Location:

Pritzker Hall and Semel Institute

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

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

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 2: Position in which required tasks normally do not involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues, but may require performing unplanned Classification 1 tasks. In these jobs the normal work performance involves no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. However, exposure or potential exposure may be required as a condition of employment.