PAEB Laboratory Project Assistant

Department Overview:

The Waisman Center is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases throughout the lifespan. One of only 15 centers of its kind in the United States, the Waisman Center encompasses laboratories for biomedical and behavioral research, several scientific research cores, and a clinical biomanufacturing facility for the production of pharmaceuticals for early stage human clinical trials. In addition to its research efforts, the Center provides an array of services to people with developmental disabilities, offers numerous educational and outreach programs to young children and their families, and trains scientists and clinicians who will serve our nation in the future.

The Pediatric Auditory Experience and Brain (PAEB) Laboratory at the Waisman Center aims to learn how children's brains use different resources to understand language in real-world auditory environments (i.e., noisy classrooms). They also want to learn how early auditory and language experiences affect language and brain development, particularly in children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and/or those who are bilingual. The goal is to optimize treatments aimed to facilitate auditory experiences in these children, which may include use of assistive listening systems or music training, and improve evidence-based practices for clinicians working with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and those who are bilingual.

Anticipated Start Date:

01/15/2024

Anticipated End Date (If Applicable):

12/31/2025

Remote Work Eligibility Detail:

Partially Remote

 

Anticipated Hours Per Week:

20

Schedule:

This position will be expected to work a minimum of 20 hours per week; schedule will be determined upon hire.

Salary/Wage Range/Lump Sum:

$32,396 (depending on graduate program rate)

Number of Positions:

1

Qualifications:

Must be currently enrolled as a graduate student at UW-Madison.

Experience working in a research lab with young children with and without disabilities is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

- Knowledge of research methodologies, including experimental design, data collection techniques, and analysis in behavioral and/or biomedical research.
- Understanding of developmental disabilities, language acquisition, and the impact of hearing loss on language and brain development in children.
- Familiarity with auditory processing, language development, and bilingualism in children.
- Knowledge of assistive listening devices, cochlear implants, hearing aids, or other auditory interventions used in clinical or research settings.
- Familiarity with ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements, including Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes and HIPAA compliance for research involving human subjects
- Ability to coordinate multiple research projects, manage timelines, and ensure adherence to milestones and deliverables..
- Proficiency in managing and organizing research data, including familiarity with data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, R, or Python) and qualitative data tools.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with researchers, clinicians, participants, and community partners.
- Competence with technology used in auditory and language research, including EEG systems, acoustic measurement tools, or LENA devices.
- Experience with participant recruitment, particularly among diverse populations (e.g., bilingual children and families, individuals with hearing loss).
- Ability to manage competing priorities and handle multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced setting.
- Capability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team, including researchers, clinicians, and other lab staff.
- Sensitivity and ability to work effectively with participants and stakeholders from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Position Summary/Job Duties:

The Project Assistant will support the implementation of multiple research projects in the PAEB Laboratory by assisting with participant recruitment and scheduling, conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and documenting results; assisting with research reports as needed; ordering and tracking supplies; and maintaining organization of research data.

Physical Demands:

Light Physical Activity. Moving and setting up equipment for research experiments (e.g., EEG systems, assistive listening devices, or acoustic measurement tools), which may involve lifting items up to 20 pounds and walking between lab spaces

Institutional Statements:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

UW-Madison is an Equal Employment, Equal Access Empl