Entry Level Social Science Research Assistant Jobs

Department/Organization
204671 - Institute for Soc Sciences Res
Rank
Research Assistant Professor
Position Summary
The Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR) at The University of Alabama invites applications for a renewable contract Research Assistant Professor position supporting applied human factors, transportation safety, and human performance research within the Translational Research Injury Prevention (TRIP) Lab.
Detailed Position Information
The Institute for Social Science Research (ISSR) at The University of Alabama invites applications for a renewable contract Research Assistant Professor position supporting applied human factors, transportation safety, and human performance research within the Translational Research Injury Prevention (TRIP) Lab.
This position will contribute to interdisciplinary research focused on human behavior, simulation, emerging technologies, and real-world operational environments. The successful candidate will support externally funded research initiatives involving driving simulation, human-machine interaction, physiological and behavioral data collection, AI-enabled systems, and translational safety research across transportation, public health, and national security domains.
Primary Responsibilities
• Lead and support applied research studies in the TRIP Lab and affiliated test environments
• Contribute to proposal development and externally funded research growth
• Manage and oversee data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination activities
• Supervise research staff and student trainees
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams including engineering, psychology, public health, computer science, and operational external partners
• Support research translation through technical reports, manuscripts, presentations, and stakeholder engagement
• Lead development and execution of human subjects research protocols and regulatory compliance activities
This appointment begins August 16, 2026.
Minimum Qualifications
• Ph.D. in experimental psychology, human factors, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated experience in applied research environments
• Strong project management and scientific communication skills
• Experience with quantitative and/or mixed-methods research methodologies
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with simulation-based research, transportation safety, or human performance evaluation • Experience working on interdisciplinary or federally funded research teams • Familiarity with physiological, behavioral, or sensor-based data collection methods
Instructions and Required Materials for Application
To apply for this position please upload CV
About the Division/College/School
The J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Alabama offers an exciting and dynamic environment for faculty seeking to make an impact in their field and in the lives of the innovators and changemakers of tomorrow.
As the largest college at The University, we house over 9,000 students and 1,000 faculty and staff across our 22 departments.
With nationally recognized programs and award-winning faculty, our College has positioned itself as a leader in higher education. Our facilities and resources include state-of-the-art laboratories, research centers, and performance venues, providing students with hands-on learning experiences and opportunities for research and creative expression.
The College is committed to the liberal arts philosophy that fosters creative and critical thinking and a lifetime of learning."
About the University
The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, named one of Travel + Leisure's 25 Best College Towns and Cities in the U.S. As one of the nation's premier universities, UA offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in nearly 200 fields of study. With more than 1,400 acres of tree-lined academic core campus and over 300 state-of-the art facilities, UA has been ranked among the most beautiful and most impressive college campuses in the South, in the state of Alabama and in the nation.
In Fall 2023, the Capstone set a new enrollment record with more than 39,000 students, including more than 8,200 in the freshman class. The current enrollment includes students from every county in Alabama, every state in the nation and 92 countries around the world. More than 1,100 National Merit Scholars are currently enrolled, making UA one of the largest enrolling institutions of the scholars in the country.
UA was recently recognized as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. students for the seventh time in nine years, as well as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. Scholars for the first time. UA is one of only 12 universities in the nation to receive both honors.
For reasons like this, the University made Forbes list of America's Top Colleges for 2023 and Time magazine's list of Top 50 Best Colleges for Future Leaders. It also made Princeton Review's list of Top Value Colleges.
UA is also designated among the top doctoral research universities in the United States in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. One of the fastest growing major research institutions in the nation, UA saw a 21% increase in sponsored awards in the 2023 fiscal year.
Since 2015, UA has invested over $1.1 billion in the physical campus, adding more than 2.55 million gross square feet of space, over 150 new research-intensive faculty, signature research areas (e.g., "The Alabama Research Institutes"), and a growing number of partnerships with industry and with state and federal agencies.
The University employs nearly 2,100 faculty and over 4,500 staff, with 52 UA researchers included in the National Academy of Inventors. An additional 40 current faculty have received the NSF CAREER Award, the nation's most prestigious recognition of top performing young scientists in disciplines ranging from nanoscience and engineering to biological sciences.
Background Investigation and EEO Statement
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC's Know Your Rights: Workplace (https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) discrimination is illegal poster.
The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.