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Research Assistant I

University of Texas at Dallas

Posted on Mar 19, 2026

Posting Number	S06919P
Position Title	Research Assistant I
Functional Title
Department	Speech Language Hearing
Salary Range	$37,000 - $39,000, DOQ
Pay Basis	Monthly
Position Status	Regular full-time
Location	Richardson
Position End Date (if temporary)
Posting Open Date	03/13/2026
Posting Close Date
Open Until Filled	Yes
Desired Start Date	05/01/2026
Job Summary	School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences The University of Texas at Dallas The Language Interaction and Language Acquisition in Children (LILAC) Laboratory in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas seeks a curious and motivated Research Assistant to coordinate research on early language development in young children. Position Overview The Research Assistant will provide technical assistance across a range of research projects and will conduct research activities in accordance with established protocols. Research activities may include patient recruiting and screening, traditional laboratory experiments and activities, informatics tasks, and other assigned research duties. About the LILAC Lab In the LILAC Lab, this position will work under the direction of Principal Investigator Dr. Pumpki Lei Su (https://profiles.utdallas.edu/lei.su) to support active research projects involving autistic children and bilingual children, with opportunities to develop and lead independent projects aligned with individual interests and career goals. The LILAC Lab employs a combination of naturalistic observation (e.g., all‑day home recordings), behavioral methods (language assessments and language sample analysis), and experimental approaches (eye‑tracking) to understand how children learn language across developmental and linguistic experiences, including autistic, bilingual, and monolingual children. Role & Training Opportunities This position plays a central role in the daily operation of the lab and will engage in all aspects of projects related to early language learning in young children. It offers extensive hands‑on research experience, close mentorship, and meaningful opportunities to work directly with children and families. This role is an excellent fit for recent college graduates interested in obtaining research experience and mentorship before pursuing graduate studies in: Speech-language pathology (speech and hearing sciences) Psychology Special education Related fields This is a 1‑year appointment with the possibility of renewal in subsequent years. As a grant-funded position, continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
Minimum Education and Experience	Bachelor’s degree in one of the basic sciences or an equivalent combination of education and experience in customer service or in daily interactions in a public services environment.
Preferred Education and Experience	Preferred Education and Experience A bachelor’s degree in speech and hearing science, communication sciences and disorders, psychology, child development, linguistics, special education, or a related field One or more years of research experience Experience with research methods in language development research Strong technical skills or an interest in expanding programming skills (e.g., R or Python) An interest in pursuing a PhD in a related field in the future
Other Qualifications	To the extent this position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired and to continue to be employed in the position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities	Essential Duties and Responsibilities Collect data with young children and their families Recruit, train, and supervise undergraduate research assistants Lead and coordinate participant recruitment and community outreach events Transcribe and code parent–child interactions or language samples Design and create experimental stimuli Set up experimental equipment Perform administrative duties to support lab operations (e.g., managing the lab’s IRB protocols, documenting lab training procedures and study protocols) Participate in and support collaborative projects with research groups both within and outside of UT Dallas Manage and maintain the lab’s social media presence Perform other duties as assigned Essential Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs) Excellent work ethic Strong written and verbal communication skills Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team Ability and desire to learn new skills Detail‑oriented with strong organizational skills Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks and goals Demonstrated professional conduct, ethical reasoning, and cultural responsiveness Experience working with and enjoyment of working with children and families Proficiency in Spanish or Mandarin
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
Physical Activities
Working Conditions
Additional Information	Work Notice: Work will be performed on site and in person. Travel: This position may be subject to occasional travel for conferences, training and development, or for other project needs. About UT Dallas The position is housed in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing and the Language Interaction and Language Acquisition in Children (LILAC) Laboratory within the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (bbs.utdallas.edu). UT Dallas is the fastest-growing university in Texas and is ranked #3 nationally among universities under 50 years old. The campus is home to a thriving research community with extensive opportunities for collaboration. The Dallas area offers a dynamic cultural scene, international economic opportunities, exceptional arts and entertainment, and a temperate climate. What We Can Offer UT Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer with an employee-friendly and supportive work environment. Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package that is effective as of your hire date includes: Competitive Salary Tuition Benefits BCBS PPO Medical Insurance Options – including *100% paid* employee medical coverage for full-time employees AD&D Insurance Dental & Vision Plan Options Long and short-term disability TRS Retirement Plan Fertility Benefits Paid time off All UT Dallas employees have access to various professional development opportunities, including a membership to Academic Impressions, LinkedIn Learning, and UT Dallas Bright Leaders Program. Visit https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/ for more information.
Special Instructions Summary	Please ensure to provide the following: A cover letter describing your research experience, relevant skills, and career goals A current résumé or CV An unofficial college transcript Contact information for two references (may be included at the end of your résumé/CV)
Important Message	1) All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public. 2) The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the *ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator*.

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Research Assistant I