Research Assistant

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Closing Date:

10/17/2026

Type of Position:

Researchers and ScientistsNo

Job Type:

Fixed Duration of Project/Grant (Fixed Term)No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

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For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.

Department:

FY 24-25 VCRI Start Up Staff

Summary of Job Duties:

The Research Assistant will provide dedicated professional research support for a state-funded neurocognitive aging study investigating how distinct mind-body meditation practices modulate cognitive control and emotion processing in middle-aged and older adults. The position is fully funded through an Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI) research grant and will be conducted on the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville campus.

Under the direct supervision of Dr. Lin, the Research Assistant will develop and implement participant recruitment plans, including targeted outreach to senior centers, retirement communities, and community organizations across Northwest Arkansas. The research Assistant will: (1) screen and schedule research participants across a four-session experimental protocol; (2) administer standardized neuropsychological assessment batteries, computerized cognitive tasks, and self-report questionnaires; (3) operate a 64-channel electroencephalography (EEG) acquisition system; (4) conduct semi-structured qualitative interviews; (5) implement rigorous data quality control procedures, including EEG signal processing and database management; and (6) contribute to statistical analyses and manuscript preparation. Additional responsibilities include training and overseeing undergraduate research assistants, and supporting regulatory compliance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols and university data security requirements.

This is a 1-year appointment renewable based on the need for the position, availability of funding, and continued satisfactory level of performance in the role.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, or closely related discipline

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior research experience in a cognitive neuroscience or psychological science laboratory
• Familiarity with EEG setup, data acquisition, and preprocessing
• Proficiency in R statistical software or comparative quantitative analysis programs
• Experience administering standardized neuropsychological or self-report assessments

Qualification Equivalencies:

Additional Information:

This position is renewable annually based on continued need for the position, availability of funding, and satisfactory job performance.

This position is a Designated Research Position and is regulated by the Arkansas Research Education Protection Act of 2025.  Prior to issuance of an offer of employment, the University is required to request and obtain additional information about an applicant’s background and, if required, conduct an additional review of that background information.

$36,300Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), ResumeProof of Veteran StatusDr. Yanli (Jeff) Lin, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, yanlil@uark.edu

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS  

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

N/A

Frequent Physical Activity:

N/A

Occasional Physical Activity:

N/A

Benefits Eligible:

Yes