Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Pets and Well-Being (PAW) Lab is seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the Teen & Dog Study, a longitudinal research project assessing the effects of companion dogs on adolescents with social anxiety and their families. This study is collecting quantitative, qualitative, and psychophysiological longitudinal data from adolescents and their parents.

The Postdoctoral Associate will be responsible for managing the ecological momentary assessment arm of the study, which involves participant engagement and data collection and coordinating student research assistants. The Postdoctoral Associate will also be responsible for data analysis and preparation of manuscripts and presentations.

On-campus work in Grafton, Massachusetts is required to manage participant study materials; some hybrid work is possible. This is a one-year position, with the potential for renewal contingent on funding and performance. This position is co-terminus with the funding required to support it. The start date for this position is June 2025.

The PAW Lab is a research group run by Dr. Megan Mueller (PI) at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. The PAW Lab is dedicated to exploring the complex interactions between humans and animals, specializing in understanding human-animal interaction (HAI) in youth and families. We are committed to conducting and disseminating research that leads to practical applications that will improve the lives of diverse children, families, and animals. The PAW Lab is located at the Center for Animals and Public Policy at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, which houses a robust group of interdisciplinary researchers and practitioners who work at the intersection of human and animal health. This position will be part of a dynamic and supportive team environment that places an emphasis on collaboration and conducting inclusive research.

Responsibilities: This position will support the PAW Lab's research activities, including assisting with participant recruitment, data collection, management, and analysis for the overall Teen & Dog Study.

• Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) Data Collection
  
  
  
  • Management of participant enrollment in the EMA arm of the Teen & Dog Study.
  • Communication with participants and their families.
  • Preparation and mailing of study materials to participants.
  • Training participants in use of study materials, including EMA mobile app and physiology sensors.
  • Tracking compliance during study period.
  
  
  
  
• Data Management
  
  
  
  • Management of EMA and psychophysiology data.
  • Management of confidential participant records and data collection timelines.
  • Cleaning and preparing data for analysis, including physiology data.
  
  
  
  
• Project Management
  
  
  
  • Training and management of student research assistants to support data collection.
  • Assistance with grant reporting requirements.
  
  
  
  

• Data Analysis and Publications
  
  
  
  • Analysis of quantitative data.
  • Preparation of manuscripts for publication.
  
  
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• PhD in Psychology, Human-Animal Interaction, Data Science, Human/Child Development, Public Health, Neuroscience, or related field.
• 3 years or more of relevant research experience that includes direct contact with participants (experience with youth/adolescent participants strongly preferred).
• Proficient computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office, Canva).
• Proficiency with SPSS or R statistical software (R experience strongly preferred).
• Proficiency and experience with independently conducting quantitative data analysis.
• Strong scientific writing skills and demonstrated ability to publish quantitative research.
• Strong attention to organizational detail with the ability to ensure integrity and accuracy of a complex data set.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, verbally and in writing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a desire to build rapport with participants and their families.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with quantitative data management (proficiency with REDCap preferred)
• Experience with ecological momentary assessment/experience sampling methods strongly preferred.
• Experience and/or research experience within human-animal interaction.
• Experience with collecting psychophysiology data (specifically electrodermal activity).
• Proficiency in cleaning/analysis of electrodermal activity data.
• Experience managing a team.

Applicants must submit a one-page letter of interest and qualifications, a current CV, and the names and contact information of three references through Interfolio (https://apply.interfolio.com/166142). Review of applications will start May 1st. A start date of June 15^th is desirable but can be negotiated. Questions can be directed to Dr. Megan Mueller at Megan.Mueller@tufts.edu.

Cummings School is situated in Grafton, MA on a 600-acre pastoral campus, forty-five minutes west of Boston and next door to Worcester, the second largest city in Massachusetts. A virtual tour of the campus is available here. There is a regional rail service stop adjacent to campus and easy access to cultural and sporting events. The campus is a short drive from beautiful beaches, mountains, and other unique features of New England. The area is a hub of biotechnology and higher education.