Full-Time Spanish- and Cantonese-Speaking Project Coordinators at

UC-Berkeley Culture and Family Lab

 

Pending administrative approval, the Culture and Family Lab at UC-Berkeley (https://zhoulab.berkeley.edu/) is seeking to hire two full-time bilingual project coordinators (one Spanish speaker, and one Cantonese speaker) for a new project.  

     

Project LEAD (Language, Emotion, and Development) is a longitudinal study funded by the National Institute of Health (R01HD091154, PIs: Qing Zhou at UC-Berkeley & Yuuko Uchikoshi at UC-Davis). This study aims at investigating the links among bilingual development, executive function, parent-child and teacher-child relationships, and socio-emotional development in young children from Mexican American and Chinese American families. We will recruit 400 dual language learners (initially 3-4 years of age, 200 Chinese Americans, 200 Mexican Americans) from Head Start programs in the San Francisco Bay Area, and follow these children and their families annually for three years (from preschool to kindergarten). Three waves of multi-method data will be collected from children and families through classroom observation, home interview and observation, parent and teacher survey, and language and neuropsychological test. The data will be used to examine the reciprocal relations between bilingual and socio-emotional development in dual language learners, and test the mediation and moderation mechanisms underlying the developmental pathways.

 

The Project Coordinator position is ideal for motivated individuals looking to work with underserved populations, and/or develop as researchers before applying to graduate programs in psychology or related fields. Training includes opportunities to learn to administer multiple measures and tools, including psychological and language assessments, and classroom observations. Working with our lab also provides experience working with diverse, low income, immigrant families, as well as the opportunity to learn about data analysis, manuscript writing, grant writing, and conference presentations.

 

Job Responsibilities 

 

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the PIs. Essential functions include:

 

10%-Recruit research participants from local preschool programs, maintain contact with preschool staff in coordinating recruitment events 

 

10%-Train and supervise undergraduate research assistants in conducting home assessments, data entry, and other lab tasks

 

30%-Carry out psychological and behavioral assessments of preschool-age children and their parents at participants’ homes and preschools, and conduct classroom observations of teacher-child and peer interactions at preschools

 

10%-Administrative tasks to maintain smooth functioning of lab day to day activities

 

10%-Distribute and collect teacher questionnaires by mail or at preschool centers, track and maintain the teacher data

 

10%-Documentation and record keeping

 

10%- Maintain study databases using SPSS or Excel

 

10%-Participate in regular lab meetings and supervision meetings with the PIs 

 

Required qualifications:

• Cantonese or Spanish language skills (verbal, reading, and writing/typing) and familiarity with the Chinese or Latino culture;
• Experience in conducting interviews and behavioral assessments with adults and young children;
• Familiarity with audio-visual and camera equipment;
• General computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SPSS.  Ability to quickly learn and master computer programs, databases, and scientific applications;
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact and work effectively with culturally and experientially diverse children, families, and research team members;
• Ability to work under deadlines — independently and with general guidance;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

 

Preferred qualifications:

• Prior research experience in the Psychology field, especially experience working in research labs/teams in an academic environment
• Has a valid CA driver’s license, auto insurance, clean driving record, and consistent access to a safe and reliable car.
• Undergraduate coursework in statistics or research methods

 

Salary & Benefits 

This is a full, career appointment. The incumbent is expected to work 40 hours per week, including at least one weekend shift.

 

Benefits information available at:

http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

 

Criminal Background Check 

 

This position has been designated as sensitive and may require a Criminal Background Check. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of a Criminal Background Check. 

  

Equal Employment Opportunity 

 

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

 

Contact

 

For individuals interested in these positions, please email a copy of CV, cover letter, and names and contact information of three professional references to Professor Qing Zhou at qingzhou@berkeley.edu, with the subject title of “Spanish (or Cantonese) Project Coordinator”.