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CRECE Lab: Lab Manager (Junior Specialist)
Position overview
Position title: CRECE Lab: Lab Manager (Junior Specialist)Application Window
Open date: August 21, 2026
Next review date: Monday, Sep 21, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.
Final date: Monday, Aug 23, 2027 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The CRECE lab, directed by Dr. David Menendez in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, invites applications for the position of part-time lab manager (Junior Specialist). The CRECE lab investigates how children think and learn about STEM and supernatural topics. Specifically, the lab is currently investigating how children think about death, and how they might learn about it through conversations with parents, and by interacting with media. We also investigate how children learn about biology and viruses with various educational materials, and how children think about structural factors. This position involves supervising a team of undergraduates, writing and maintaining IRB protocols, creating stimuli for research studies, analyzing data, coordinating meetings with the research team, and writing reports of the studies. Individuals with prior experience supervising or training undergraduate research assistants are strongly encouraged to apply.
This position is ideal for individuals who would like to gain research skills and pursue doctoral or graduate programs in the future. Individuals will have opportunities to be involved in preparing conference presentations, writing journal manuscripts, and starting their own research projects in collaboration with Dr. Menendez and his students. We are dedicated to supporting and mentoring the next generation of scholars from diverse backgrounds.
Applicants with any or all of the following areas of experience and qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:
• Experience with qualitative coding, independently or semi-independently.
• Experience conducting an independent research project or thesis.
• Experience supervising undergraduate research assistants.
• Good communication skills (written and verbal)
The hiring unit will not sponsor employment-eligible immigration statuses for this position.
CRECE Lab: https://crecelab.sites.ucsc.edu/
Psychology Department: https://psychology.ucsc.edu/
Qualifications
- Minimum 2 years of experience conducting developmental psychology research (e.g. as paid or volunteer research assistant).
- B.A. (or foreign equivalent) with college-level coursework in psychology.
- Experience with statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R) or programing languages (e.g., Java, Python, JSPsych).
Application Requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V., which must include contact information for a minimum of two professional references. The hiring unit will conduct reference checks for those applicants who are under serious consideration.
Cover Letter - Letter of application that briefly summarizes your qualifications and interest in the position.
(Optional)
Help contact: damenend@ucsc.edu
About UC Santa Cruz
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
- “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment
The University of California 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, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact Disability Management Services at jobaccommodations@ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4602.
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The University of California offers a competitive benefits package and a number of programs to support employee work/life balance.
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