New

Research Associate

San Jose State University Research Foundation
$80,000-$90,000 annually - Exempt, Benefited.
retirement plan
United States, California, Mountain View
May 15, 2025
OUR STATEMENT The San Jose State University Research Foundation (SJSURF) is committed to building a work environment where everyone can show up as their own self and have an opportunity to contribute, develop, and advance in their career. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core values of the organization. We strive to attract, retain, and develop employees who reflect the community and society where we work and live. The Research Foundation aims to develop a culture where everyone feels welcome, shares their views, and where differences in backgrounds and perspectives are seen as adding value. GENERAL NATURE OF POSITION Do you want to help support NASA's missions, but don't want to go through astronaut training camp? Do you like making a difference in the world and want to help progress the vision of NASA? The Department of Psychology at San Jose State University is involved in collaborative research with civil service scientists from the Intelligent Systems Division's Planning and Scheduling Group (PSG) at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. We seek Research Associate to collaborate on engage in project management and administrative activities to facilitate aerospace research. Our work environment is very open, collaborative and welcoming; we are a diverse and tight-knit team that enjoys off-site team building events and activities. We believe that fostering a comfortable workplace for everyone is important! Our team values a healthy approach to our work, from providing adjustable desks to maintaining a balanced work-life schedule. You will contribute to our wide diversity of skills and incorporate new ideas into our environment. You will work with people across NASA, hear about upcoming missions and how we help support them. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Assist in managing a large project with multiple researchers across several agencies/companies. Learn and use project management software. Help identify and track project tasks and develop related Gant charts. Research Kanban method and other project management techniques and help determine appropriateness for current project development needs; help apply these techniques as appropriate. Assist in coordination and communication activities across the project team. Facilitate preparation of documents, reports, and presentation material. Search databases (e.g., PubMed, Science Direct) for relevant literature. Read, analyze, extract, and organize information and data from research articles. Apply human factors engineering principles to design and evaluation. Help coordinate scheduling and completion of tasks and deliverables. Lead user interface design through life cycle, including development of wireframes, interactive prototypes, user flows. Facilitate and analyze usability testing sessions with end users. Apply human factors principles to optimize UI for safety, efficiency, situational awareness, cognitive workload reduction. Communicate findings and design updates in presentations, reports, and cross functional meetings. Handle logistics for getting visitors access to NASA Ames. Complete related organizational and administrative tasks. Analyze and summarize data using statistical and graphical methods. Engage in workspace maintenance activities, including ordering and organizing supplies, cleaning, and maintaining equipment. Other duties as assigned. INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS Reports to the Project Director and interacts with NASA Ames Civil Service and SJSU Research Foundation research staff daily. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None, though may be called upon for advice and direction by others. QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience MS/MA in Human Factors, Psychology, Industrial Systems or related discipline required. Experience in UI / UX design and usability testing. Proficiency with tools such as Gliffy, Mural, Miro, and/or Figma. Experience conducting reviews of the scientific literature using a variety of scientific databases (e.g., PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar) required. Experience coordinating work schedules and creating timelines for deliverables preferred. Experience with various administrative tasks, including completing, routing, and tracking required forms/paperwork; investigating, learning, and following relevant policies as needed to complete assigned tasks preferred. Experience working effectively in interdisciplinary research teams required. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on user centered design and clinical workflow integration. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities required Highly organized, self-motivated, and ability to think critically. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and SAS or other statistical software (e.g., R, SPSS). Strong knowledge of research design, methodology, and statistical analysis. Ability to analyze experimental and correlational data using a variety of statistical procedures (e.g., ANOVA, factorial ANOVA, correlation/regression). Knowledge of basic medical terminology and human physiology. Certification in CPR, AED, first aid, and laboratory safety preferred. Ability to work in teams effectively and efficiently. Ability to speak and write effectively. Ability to work effectively in a culturally and organizationally diverse research team. Strong interpersonal skills required. Complexity of Duties Exercise independent judgment in the management and completion of a diverse set of concurrent tasks, including leading specific research and/or project management efforts. Physical Requirements Frequent and ongoing use of a computer terminal to conduct a variety of the more advanced clerical functions and communications. Periodic, regular, and/or occasional contact with employees of the Research Foundation at all levels, San Jose State University faculty and staff, and/or vendors, with the ability to discuss and appropriately respond to inquiries and requests. Work with time constraints and under pressure. Periodic regular lifting, walking, and carrying of files, documents and other related materials. Must be physically capable of lifting up to 15 kg, sitting for long durations and working overnight shifts on sleep studies. Strength, dexterity, and coordination and/or ability to use a computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a regular basis. Ability to listen to verbal requests from customers, clients, and vendors, and to respond appropriately. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the SJSURF. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current SJSURF employees who apply for the position. NOTE: This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. BENEFITS The SJSURF provides an excellent benefits package to benefited employees. The comprehensive benefits package includes: Four company health insurance plans to choose from (employee contributions differ according to plan and level of coverage). Employer-paid dental and vision for both employee and eligible dependents. Life, AD&D, LTD with supplemental coverage opportunities. 14 paid federal & state holidays. Retirement Plan: 403 (b) employee contribution plan component and a 403 (b) employer contribution component, which vests immediately. Vacation-hour accruals and separate sick-hour accumulations. Employee discounts. Paid training and professional-development conferences. Please visit the Benefits & Compensation page on the SJSURF website for more detailed information. APPLICATION PROCEDURE To apply for this position, an applicant must submit a formal application for employment. Select "Apply Now" to complete the SJSURF online employment application. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION The SJSURF is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with physical or mental disabilities in the employment, recruitment, examination, interviewing, and hiring processes. If you are a job seeker with a physical or mental disability, and you require a reasonable accommodation to search, apply, or interview for a job opening or otherwise need a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, please contact us at foundation-jobs@sjsu.edu. In the email message, please indicate your full name, phone number and the type of assistance required. You must not reveal the underlying medical reason for your needed reasonable accommodation or otherwise disclose confidential medical information. ABOUT THE SJSU RESEARCH FOUNDATION SJSURF employment is separate and distinct from San Jose State University (SJSU) or state of California employment. SJSURF employees are not employees of SJSU or of the state of California. SJSURF is a non-profit auxiliary of SJSU. SJSURF is totally self-supported. The majority of the organization's funding comes from the federal government, and other public and private entities. With annual revenues totaling over $65 million, programs managed through SJSURF cover a rich diversity of applied research, public services, and educational-related activities.