Research Coordinator I

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, staff, and students that make the university a great place to work.  

The USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is seeking a highly motivated fixed-term Research Coordinator I in the Brain and Creativity Institute. The largest and oldest of the USC schools, USC Dornsife functions as the academic core of the university, offering courses and advancing knowledge across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.

The Research Coordinator will support a portfolio of federally funded research studies examining the effects of music and arts engagement on brain development, cognition, mental health, and well-being across the lifespan.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to work within a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment that integrates neuroscience, psychology, education, health, and community engagement. The successful candidate will play a key role in participant recruitment, data collection, project coordination, and day-to-day research operations.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and retain research participants from diverse community populations.
• Coordinate participant scheduling for in-person and virtual study visits.
• Explain study procedures, obtain informed consent, and maintain regular communication with participants and families.
• Collect behavioral, survey, and physiological data, including EEG recordings, following established protocols.
• Administer cognitive, behavioral, and psychosocial assessments.
• Maintain accurate study records and databases and ensure data quality and integrity.
• Organize, manage, and prepare datasets for analysis.
• Assist with study logistics, project documentation, regulatory compliance, and reporting.
• Coordinate meetings, workshops, seminars, and community engagement activities related to project goals.
• Collaborate with faculty investigators, students, community partners, and research staff.
• Stay informed about developments in the field and contribute to ongoing research activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will:

• Have experience working in a research environment involving human participants.
• Have experience recruiting and engaging participants from diverse and historically underrepresented communities.
• Have experience collecting EEG, behavioral, or psychophysiological data.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Be highly detail-oriented and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative research team.
• Show initiative, adaptability, and strong problem-solving abilities.
• Enjoy working with participants across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Public Health, Education, Biology, or a related field.
• At least one year of research, clinical, educational, or related professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and cloud-based applications such as Google Workspace, Dropbox, and REDCap or similar database systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining high standards of accuracy and professionalism.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information responsibly.

Preferred Areas of Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas is especially desirable:

• EEG or psychophysiological data collection
• Human subjects research
• Community-based research
• Developmental psychology
• Aging and cognition
• Music cognition and neuroscience
• Mental health research
• Clinical trial coordination

This position provides an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing graduate training or careers in psychology, neuroscience, medicine, public health, education, or related fields.

Hourly range: The hourly rate range for this position is $30.00 - $32.97. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Required Documents and Additional Information:

• Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.
• Fixed-term position.
• Job openings are posted for a minimum of (5) five business days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended, so please apply on the same business day if interested.
• USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six months of employment; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses and free tram pick up services; discounts to sporting and other campus events.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 1 year
Minimum Field of Expertise: Administrative or research experience. Working knowledge of MS Office applications. Demonstrated effective communication and writing skills. Ability to multi-task and prioritize. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.

                                                  

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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