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The Department of Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley seeks applications for a Junior/Assistant Specialist in the Piantadosi and Kidd Labs. The position will report to Professors Steven Piantadosi. The Junior/Assistant Specialist will lead two sets of developmental studies to investigate: 1) the relationship between early mathematics and attention; and 2) the development of algorithmic reasoning in early mathematics. These studies are funded by NSF’s Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings.

In one set of studies, the Junior/Assistant Specialist will investigate the attentional mechanisms that serve early number sense. They will use eye tracking and other behavioral methods to investigate questions such as: How do attention and visual working memory capacity shape early mathematics in children? Are we underestimating children’s number knowledge because of the attentional demands of counting tasks?

In a second set of studies, the Junior/Assistant Specialist will investigate how algorithmic cognition supports early mathematical development. They will use behavioral methods to ask questions such as: How do children discover algorithms prior to any knowledge of formal mathematics? How do children reason about algorithms and their semantics? And how do they use that information to improve upon
already acquired algorithms?

Duties include:
●Develop and run behavioral experiments, potentially including eye tracking, with children ages 2 to 8 years old
● Hire, train, and supervise up to 10 undergraduate research assistants
● Act as liaison between postdocs, PI, and research assistants by communicating about tasks and check-ins regarding project progress. Incumbent will be the primary person to communicate updates throughout the lab.
● Recruit and manage testing sites (preschools, museums, etc.)
● Recruit and coordinate human subjects
● Update and maintain lab manual and other lab resources
● Place purchase orders for supplies and equipment
● Write pre-registrations and scripts, and prepare stimuli for experiments
● Analyze data, interpret results, and prepare manuscripts for publication
● Maintain and update human subjects protocols when necessary

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.