Research Specialist

To navigate through this form, please use the "Prev" and "Save & Continue" buttons at the top of the page. Do not use your browser's "Back" button as it will not save your progress and data will be lost. Posting Summary Logo Posting Number RTF00071PO26 USC Market Title Research Specialist Link to USC Market Title Business Title (Internal Title) Research Specialist Campus Columbia Work County Richland College/Division College of Arts and Sciences Department CAS Psychology Anticipated Hiring Range $36,608 Location of Vacancy Part/Full Time Full Time Hours per Week 37.5 Work Schedule * Standard schedule is Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with one hour for lunch. * Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department. Type of Staff Position Staff Research Grant (SRGP) Basis 12 months Job Search Category Administrative About USC About University of South Carolina From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service - helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond. Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding. South Carolina Retirement Yes State Insurance Programs Yes Annual Leave Yes Sick Leave Yes Position Description Advertised Job Summary Under the supervision of Dr. Robert's (Neurodevelopmental Disorders Lab), the research specialist will assist with NIH-funded research by conducting assessments on early development in high-risk groups of infants and toddlers with neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder) using multiple behavioral, language, and physiological developmental measures. This position also assists in managing data, organizing findings, and preparing reports. Travel across the United States is required. Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience * Requires a bachelor's degree in an area of research specialty. Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials Preferred Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in Psychology or a related field prior to the position start date. Strong communication skills. * Experience conducting research or direct experience working with infants or young children with a neurodevelopmental disorder Knowledge/Skills/Abilities * This individual must be able to communicate effectively with faculty and graduate and undergraduate students, as well as communicate effectively and sensitively with families of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. * This individual must also be interested and effective in working with young children and their families. Job Duties Job Duty Conduct and collect developmental assessment data to support NIH-funded research on early neurodevelopment in infants and toddlers. This action is done to identify early markers and developmental patterns associated with autism spectrum disorder, fragile X syndrome, and typical development, contributing to improved early detection and intervention strategies. The research specialist carries out this work by administering standardized behavioral, language, and physiological assessments in a consistent, controlled manner, following established research protocols and working closely with the principal investigator and research team. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 40 Job Duty Perform weekly pre- and post-assessment activities to ensure the smooth execution and integrity of research protocols. This work is done to maintain organized, reliable data collection and to support timely communication with participating families and the research team. The research specialist accomplishes this by preparing and organizing assessment materials, coordinating and scheduling participant visits, communicating study details to families, processing and managing collected data, and scoring and summarizing results into clear feedback reports. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 25 Job Duty Manage and maintain research data to ensure accuracy, consistency, and readiness for analysis in NIH-funded studies. This action is done to support high-quality research outcomes and reliable reporting of developmental findings. The research specialist carries out this responsibility by scoring assessment protocols, entering and verifying data in designated systems, calculating inter-rater reliability, generating summary reports, and adhering to standardized procedures and timelines for data entry and quality control. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 20 Job Duty Contribute, as needed, to professional presentations and articles, which includes summarizing data, conducting literature searches, creating posters, and presenting findings at academic conferences. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty Follow and ensure compliance with federal, state, and university policies and procedures as needed. Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5 Position Attributes Hazardous weather category Non-Essential Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. No Posting Detail Information Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date 05/01/2026 Position End Date 03/31/2028 Job Open Date 04/08/2026 Job Close Date 05/24/2026 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicant Positions are advertised for a minimum of thirty (30) business days on our job website. After thirty (30) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by May 24, 2026. Quicklink for Posting EEO Statement The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations. Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*). * * Do you have at least a bachelor's degree in an area of research specialty? * Yes * No * * Describe your experience working with children and/or neurodiverse populations. (Open Ended Question) * * Please describe your experience with research. (Open Ended Question) Applicant Documents Required Documents * Resume * List of References and Contact Information Optional Documents * Cover Letter * Letter of Recommendation 1 * Letter of Recommendation 2 * Letter of Recommendation 3 * Other Supporting Documents

Created: 2026-04-15