Senior Program Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Departmental Overview
The Department of Psychology is a large, complex department within the College of Letters and Science (Division of Social Sciences). It comprises nearly 40 active faculty members, 16 career staff, 3 continuing Lecturers, a number of Visiting Scholars and Postdocs each year, as well as a large cadre of Graduate Student Instructors and Graduate Student researchers. The Department advances the University's core missions of teaching, research, and public service.
The Research Assistant will recruit, schedule, and run human subjects in protocols designed to assess the influence of reward processing, circadian function, and healthy behavior on bipolar disorder, and will assist in data management and data analyses. Additionally, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the lab's administrative functions, including coordinating meetings, correspondence, and training, and leading up to 8 undergraduate student researchers.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is June 9, 2026
Responsibilities
Research:

• Recruit, schedule, and run human subjects in protocols designed to assess the influence of reward, circadian function, and healthy behavior on bipolar disorder.
• Complete interviews about mental health and sleep symptoms. Gather data using ecological momentary assessment, self-report, and fMRI approaches. Take part in home visit, remote, and in-person (fMRI and cognitive) assessments. Assess problematic behavior in volunteers and work with the PI on an effective remediation plan.
• Review participant completion of questionnaires, and send reminders as needed. Alert senior team members to any concerns flagged by participants.

Data Management:

• Assist in data management and run scripts to provide descriptive data summaries. Adjust Qualtrics surveys as needed, download data, and run descriptive summary scripts under careful supervision and with training.

Communication:

• Conduct outreach through advertising, website administration, search engine optimization, social media, and consumer support and advocacy groups to foster recruitment.
• Facilitate communication among team members, community, ethics, and advisory boards, with direction from senior team leaders (e.g., set up meetings, take minutes, provide follow-up with supervision from senior team management)

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience in gathering data from human subjects
• Experience interacting with individuals with mental health history
• Demonstrated ability to handle fluctuating priorities and deadlines
• Must be organized, responsible, punctual, and ability to pay close attention to details
• Demonstrates a high level of professionalism and interpersonal skills for interacting with participants who may struggle with mental health concerns, and for community members and colleagues involved in the collaboration
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology or related area and/or an equivalent combination of education/experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with statistical software, such as SPSS or R
• Expertise in RedCap and other standard software applications
• fMRI data acquisition
• Experience with website programming and administration

Salary & Benefits
This is a full-time, limited position for up to 18 months.
This position is eligible for full UC benefits. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The full pay range for this classification is $28.69-$34.22 (stepped rates).
Other Information
This position is governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Research Support Professionals Unit (RX) between the University of California and the University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE). The current bargaining agreement manual can be found at: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/rx/index.html
The automatic conversion to career status will not occur as the funding for the position is one time funding, of eighteen (18) months or less.
This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Conviction History Background
This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Misconduct Disclosure
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
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, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
Equal Employment Opportunity
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 status under state or federal law.