Join the Lab

Paid and Work Study Positions (1-2 overnight shifts per week, 10 hours per shift)

Research assistants (RAs) will assist a sleep technician with collection of sleep polysomnography (PSG) data on 1-2 overnights per week. Sleep PSG data collection includes electroencephalography (EEG) to measure research participants’ brain activity and additional sensors to measure respiration, body movement, eye movements, and muscle tone. RAs will have free time during overnight shifts while participants are sleeping, but they must remain in the lab and awake to assist the sleep technician and participants as needed. This position requires overnight hours, and may include weekdays and weekends. RAs will be assigned consistent days for overnight shifts based on their usual availability. Additional RA responsibilities may include collection of saliva samples to measure melatonin, assisting with application and removal of PSG equipment, lab and equipment cleaning and maintenance, and laundering lab bedding and towels. RAs are also invited to participate in a sleep research journal club. We are looking for applicants who can commit to the position for a minimum of 3 academic terms. We will provide training in study procedures. RAs must complete and maintain appropriate safety training and certifications, including bi-annual CITI training in Protection of Human Research Participants, Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).Lab research projects examine the impact of sleep and circadian rhythms on reward- and stress-related brain function and mental health in adolescents and young adults. The projects involve collection of information about sleep and circadian characteristics, lifetime and daily stressors, reward- and stress-related brain function, and symptoms of depression and alcohol use disorder. Information about the lab and our research projects is available at https://sleeplab.uoregon.edu and https://sleepstudy.uoregon.edu. The Oregon Sleep Lab (OSL) is in Straub Hall on the University of Oregon campus.

Minimum Qualifications:

Evidence of high scientific aptitude (for example, mostly A and B grades in college science courses and/or strong recommendation from a research mentor)

Professional Competencies:

• Interest in psychology, physiology, neuroscience, and/or related sciences
• Discretion and tact when handling sensitive and/or confidential information
• Professionalism and customer service skills
• Attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to follow lab procedures
• Ability to communicate and work effectively in a professional team environment that requires participatory decision making and cooperative interactions among study staff

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous research experience, especially psychophysiological research and/or research with human subjects
• Experience working with adolescents and/or young adults
• Communication and outreach skills, including social media savvy

Research assistants (RAs) will assist with data collection for research on sleep and mental health in adolescents and young adults. RAs will work with study staff to implement a laboratory social stressor task. Additional RA responsibilities may include assisting study staff with participant recruitment, questionnaire data collection and cleaning, collection of biosamples (saliva, urine, blood pressure, heart rate), and lab equipment cleaning and maintenance. RAs are also invited to participate in a sleep research journal club.RAs must be available on afternoons and evenings 1-3 days per week. Shifts may be scheduled on weekdays or weekends. RAs will be assigned to shifts based on their usual availability. We are looking for applicants who can commit to the position for a minimum of 3 academic terms. We will provide training in study procedures. RAs must complete and maintain appropriate safety training and certifications, including bi-annual CITI training in Protection of Human Research Participants, Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).Lab research projects examine the impact of sleep and circadian rhythms on reward- and stress-related brain function and mental health in adolescents and young adults. The projects involve collection of information about sleep and circadian characteristics, lifetime and daily stressors, reward- and stress-related brain function, and symptoms of depression and alcohol use disorder. Information about the lab and our research projects is available at https://sleeplab.uoregon.edu and https://sleepstudy.uoregon.edu. The Oregon Sleep Lab (OSL) is in Straub Hall on the University of Oregon campus.

Minimum Qualifications:

Evidence of high scientific aptitude (for example, mostly A and B grades in college science courses and/or strong recommendation from a research mentor)

Professional Competencies:

• Interest in psychology, physiology, neuroscience, and/or related sciences
• Discretion and tact when handling sensitive and/or confidential information
• Professionalism and customer service skills
• Attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to follow lab procedures
• Ability to communicate and work effectively in a professional team environment that requires participatory decision making and cooperative interactions among study staff

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous research experience, especially psychophysiological research and/or research with human subjects
• Experience working with adolescents and/or young adults
• Communication and outreach skills, including social media savvy