Career Opportunities

The MH-D&R (Mental Health Dynamics and Resilience) Lab (PI: Dr. Qinxin Shi) and the SHADE (Stress, Health, and Development) Lab (PI: Dr. Michelle Chen) are seeking applications for a full-time lab technician to begin at Texas Christian University (TCU) in August 2025. Applications can be submitted at https://jobs.tcu.edu/jobs/lab-technician-tcu-main-campus-texas-united-states.

This position is equally split between the MH-D&R Lab and the SHADE Lab, and the lab technician is expected to support the independent research projects and operational needs of both Dr. Shi and Dr. Chen separately across both labs. The Laboratory Technician is responsible for providing support to the Principal Investigators to help design and conduct experiments and analyze, present, and publish data. The position is ideal for a post-baccalaureate student interested in gaining hands-on research experience before pursuing graduate studies, or graduates with a master’s degree who wish to be heavily involved in research as preparation for future Ph.D. training. The initial appointment is for one year starting in August 2025, with the possibility of extension to three years pending performance.

The lab technician’s responsibilities will center on research activities, including recruiting, scheduling, testing participants in person and online, creating flyers, and training and managing undergraduate RAs to collect, code and analyze data, as well as administrative lab functions. The lab technician will receive training in conducting lab visits, which involve collecting behavioral, EEG, and biological data.

Duties & Essential Job Functions:
1. Manages data collection for research studies by recruiting, scheduling, testing participants in person and online
2. Collects and processes biological samples (i.e., blood draws and blood samples in the wet lab) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data with an EGI EEG System
3. Creates flyers to recruit research participants
4. Trains undergraduate RAs to collect and code data and supervises their work as needed
5. Maintains and purchases lab equipment and materials
6. Maintains and updates Institutional Review Board protocols and participant databases
7. Maintains web and social media pages for the lab by creating and updating content; identifying and resolving issues and managing outreach
8. Organizes and attends weekly lab meetings
9. As available, attends scientific talks and participates as a member of the intellectual community at Texas Christian University
10. Performs other related duties as assigned

Required Education & Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Health Psychology and/or a related field by the position start date
• At least 6 months of experience working in a research setting

Preferred Education & Experience:
• Managerial or team leadership experience
• Experience working with children and adolescents
• Graphic design and/or social media management experience

Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:
• Phlebotomy

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Skill in data analysis and use of statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R, MATLAB)
• Skills using various computer software such as Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and Zoom
• Ability to build and manage online surveys and databases (e.g., REDcap)
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Skill in, or ability to learn, phlebotomy and wet lab procedures to process blood data
• Skill in, or ability to learn, collection and analysis of EEG data
• Skill in, or ability to learn, collection of behavioral and/or questionnaire data (longitudinal and intensive) in school (or similar) settings