Research Assistant

Job description

HireArt is assisting Toyota Research Institute in hiring a Research Assistant to support the execution and analysis of human-centered research studies.

We are looking for someone with experience managing and analyzing quantitative data using Python or similar. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Psychology, or a similar field emphasizing human performance and behavior.

As a Research Assistant, you will:

• Assist with user testing preparation activities (e.g., coordinating with recruiters; writing study protocols).
• Conduct user studies, collect data, and take notes, both in the office and in the field.
• Assist with the physical, hands-on tasks involved in running studies, such as driving simulator operation, prototype transportation, etc.
• Administer questionnaires, surveys, and interviews.
• Analyze and interpret user study data and generate insights, recommendations, and reports.
• Conduct literature reviews and competitive analyses.
• Coalition of user information and study data organization and archiving.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (or equivalent work experience) in Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Psychology, or a similar field emphasizing human performance and behavior
• Experience managing and analyzing quantitative data using Python or similar
• Experience proctoring your user studies
• You are friendly, empathetic, and patient, especially when working with older adults
• You are detail-oriented and able to work independently as well as in groups
• You enjoy collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams
• You are proactive and seek out new opportunities for impact, as time permits
• You have strong oral and written communication skills and are comfortable giving/receiving feedback
• You have strong time management and prioritization abilities

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience working in robotics or with autonomous vehicles!
• Experience generating categories from qualitative data and performing coding
• Survey design experience (i.e., survey logic, randomization, etc.)
• Experience generating study stimuli (e.g., descriptive scenarios, animation, video, physical mockups)

Commitment: This is a full-time, 12-month contract position through HireArt, with the possibility for shorter periods if requested or extensions to additional years. It will be available to candidates who are local to the Cambridge/Boston, MA area.

HireArt values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor visas.