Organization: Colgate University
Department: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Requisition Number: 2025S086Posting
Type: Full Time
Category: Research Technology / Technical Support (Higher Education)
Wage/Salary Range: $73,500–$76,500
Department Statement: The Psychological and Brain Sciences Department applies scientific approaches to understanding sensation, motivation, perception, cognition, language, development, personality, psychological disorders, and social behavior. As a collective, we deploy techniques that capture processes at the level of the gene, the cell, the brain, the individual organism, and the group.
Summary: The Research Technology Specialist provides integrated technical and research support to the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Colgate University. The role supports high-quality undergraduate and faculty research through experiment programming, data workflows, systems support, and troubleshooting of research-related hardware and software, working closely with faculty across cognitive, social, clinical, developmental, and neuroscience subfields.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and program custom software for teaching and research, including developing behavioral experiments using PsychoPy (Python) and related tools.
- Provide training and support to students and faculty using research software platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, PsychoPy).
- Provide technical support for specialized laboratory and classroom instruction, ensuring smooth operation of research- and teaching-related technologies.
- Serve as a liaison between PBSC and Colgate ITS regarding research-related technology needs.
- Maintain, update, and troubleshoot macOS and Windows hardware and software across labs, classrooms, and offices.
- Maintain equipment inventory/storage and assist with technology purchases, coordinating with ITS as required by procurement guidelines.
- Assist with routine maintenance of departmental servers and internal websites (updates, backups, basic configuration), consulting with ITS as appropriate.
- Administer the department’s SONA research participation system (user accounts, postings, data import/export).
- Support secure data storage, networking, and backup solutions for faculty research workflows.
- Troubleshoot specialized research tools used by faculty (e.g., REDCap, Mindware) and learn new technologies as needed.
- Provide basic support for student and faculty use of R for introductory-level data analysis (script errors, loading data, installing packages, simple analyses).
Qualifications
- Required: Relevant experience in programming or technical support (coursework, internships, research experience, or professional work).
- Required: Strong Python skills and the ability to learn new technologies quickly.
- Experience supporting users with varied levels of technical sophistication.
- Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.
Preferred:
- Python for research applications (PsychoPy experience a plus).
- Experience with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Familiarity with relational databases (e.g., MySQL/MariaDB).
- Experience with Linux-based systems or willingness to learn basic server administration.
- Desktop support experience (macOS and Windows).
- Experience with Qualtrics customization, PsychoPy, REDCap, or Mindware.
- Familiarity with R or willingness to learn R to provide basic troubleshooting support.
- Prior experience in an academic or research support setting.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, psychology, neuroscience, information systems, or another field with strong technical experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Additional Information
Work Schedule: Monday–Friday business hours with potential for occasional remote work.
Job Open Date: 12/04/2025
Job Close Date: 2/13/2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
How to Apply: To view the full job posting and apply, visit: https://apptrkr.com/6791510
Equal Opportunity: Colgate University recruits, employs, retains, promotes, and trains employees on the basis of skills and experience, capacity to do the job, and valid job qualifications without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable laws.
Campus Crime Reporting and Statistics
The Department of Campus Safety will provide upon request a copy of Colgate’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the U.S. Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported crimes and fires, and includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety. Access the report via the Clery Compliance web page: Clery Compliance. Printed copies may be obtained upon request via e-mail at cusafety@colgate.edu.
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