Duke University, Psychology and Neuroscience
Position ID:
Position Title:
Associate in Research
Position Location:
Durham, North Carolina 27708-0999, United States of America
Subject Area:
Appl Deadline:
2025/07/31 11:59PM
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** Position Description:
*** the listing date or deadline for this position has passed and new applications are no longer accepted. ***
Position Description
Associate in Research
SPARCL / Dr. Phia Salter
Duke University Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
The Salter Psychology of Anti-Racism and Culture Lab (SPARCL) invites applications for an Associate in Research position in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University. The Associate in Research position is ideal for a recent graduate with a degree in Psychology or a related field who is highly organized, excited about research, and has excellent communication and time management skills. This is an in-person position (Durham, NC, USA) open to domestic and international applicants.
Position Details: SPARCL is a new lab in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University. Research conducted within SPARCL is directed by Dr. Phia Salter (the principal investigator) and focuses on race/racism, culture, collective memory, and identity. You can read more about Dr. Salter here: https://scholars.duke.edu/person/Phia.Salter.
This is a full-time position, eligible for all Duke benefits (https://hr.duke.edu/benefits) with an initial appointment of one year with the possibility of renewal, dependent on funding and performance. The anticipated start date is August 2025.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting June 12, 2025, and the position will remain open until filled.
Job Description: The Associate in Research will work closely with Dr. Salter (PI), serving as (1) the lab manager for SPARCL and (2) a research assistant on multiple projects in the lab. The position includes both administrative and research-focused duties. Dr. Salter has a strong commitment to mentorship and aims to provide the Associate in Research with the experiences needed to be an excellent candidate for graduate programs. There will be opportunities to conduct independent research, disseminate lab findings through conference presentations, and contribute to publications and technical reports.
Key responsibilities may include:
- Coordinating purchases with administrative staff
- Assisting in the launch and maintenance of a lab website
- Coordinating lab events and meetings
- Coordinating recruitment efforts with schools, museums, and/or community partners
- Preparing and managing IRB protocols
- Designing and programming research studies (online, lab, and field studies)
- Training and supervising a team of research assistants with the PI
- Collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data (quantitative and qualitative)
- Contributing to manuscripts for publication
- Collaborating with Dr. Salter, SPARCL team members, and other Duke faculty
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field
- Strong academic performance in courses on race, racism, inequality, social justice, or critical studies more broadly (e.g., Africana Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies)
- At least 1 year of prior research experience, preferably in cultural psychology, social psychology, diversity science, or a related area
- Excellent interpersonal and team skills
- Strong writing and verbal communication skills
- Self-motivated, organized, and able to work independently
- Quantitative data analysis experience (e.g., SPSS, Jamovi, or R)
- Qualitative coding or qualitative software experience (e.g., Atlas.ti, NVivo)
- Experience designing websites and/or managing social media accounts
- Experience with experimental design programs (e.g., Qualtrics, Testable)
- Experience with online data collection platforms (e.g., CloudResearch, Prolific)
- Research interests and ideas that overlap with the PIs
To Apply: Please submit (1) a 1- to 2- page cover letter that includes your contact information, why you are interested in this position, relevant experience and qualifications, a summary of research/career interests, and your ideal start date (later start dates will be considered) (2) a CV or Resume; (3) an Unofficial Transcript; and (4) the name and contact information for one reference (a letter will be requested for candidates on the short-list)
Applicants should upload their materials through Academic Jobs Online. Only applicants who have applied through Academic Jobs Online will be reviewed. If you are not able to upload your application materials, please complete your application and email those materials to Meghann Koffi at meghann.koffi@duke.edu to be uploaded manually.
Questions about the position itself can be emailed to phia.salter@duke.edu (please use “SPARCL Lab Manager Inquiry” in the subject line).
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Unoffical transcript
- Cover letter (1-2 pages); see job description for full list of requirements
- Reference (actual letters acceptable but not required, just names and email addresses )
And anything else requested in the position description.
Further Info: