Product Research Associate 2_ 26-04487

Job Title: Product Research Associate 2
Reference ID: 26-04487
Location: Beaverton, OR.
Duration: 06 months
Job Type: Contract (Candidates must be able to work on W2 without VISA sponsorship)

Research Assistant, Mind Sciences

• Onsite role at PHK; typical work hours, 4/1 hybrid schedule (some Fridays may be required onsite as per business needs)
• Potential for travel, though unlikely; at most, 1-2 domestic trips
• Degree required for this role: minimum Bachelor's, Master's preferred (preferably in neuroscience)
• Minimum of 4+ years' relevant experience (if candidate possesses a Bachelor's degree); if candidate has a Master's, 2+ years' of experience required

Role Overview:

• The Sport Research Lab (NSRL) is seeking a Research Assistant to support the Mind Sciences team in executing human research studies that advance our understanding of perception, cognition, neurophysiology, and the athlete experience. Working closely with senior researchers, this individual will play a critical role in day-to-day study execution, ensuring a high-quality participant experience, reliable data collection, and scientific rigor.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research Study Execution
• Execute human-subject research studies designed by senior researchers.
• Prepare research spaces and study materials before participant arrival.
• Follow established protocols precisely and consistently.
• Work alongside researchers and other lab personnel to support successful study completion.

Top must-have skills include the following:

• Executing human research (interacting with human subjects for a study)
• Familiarity with neuroimaging tools, or using neuroimaging tools to apply to human participants
• Ability to conduct basic research/analysis

Desired soft skills:

• Personable
• Good communication skills
• Self starter
• Organized
• Comfortable working in ambiguity

Skills that would make a candidate stand out:

• Familiarity running EEG studies
• Experience working with athletes
• Sensory perception experience

Participant Experience and Compliance

• Welcome participants, explain study procedures, answer questions, and help them feel comfortable throughout the experiment.
• Ensure participants have completed and signed required informed consent documentation before study activities begin.
• Monitor participant comfort and well-being and escalate concerns when appropriate.

Equipment Preparation and Operation

• Set up, calibrate, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain neuroscience research equipment, including EEG, fNIRS, and related physiological or behavioral measurement systems.
• Confirm that equipment is functional and research-ready before each data collection session.
• Document and communicate technical issues to senior researchers.

Data Collection and Management

• Collect high-quality physiological, behavioral, and subjective research data while monitoring data quality in real time.
• Ensure data are labeled, stored, organized, and transferred according to established procedures.
• Maintain accurate study and participant records while protecting confidentiality and data integrity.
• Perform light data cleaning, processing, visualization, or quality-control checks under the guidance of senior researchers.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience or a closely related field
• Minimum of 2 years of experience conducting or supporting human-subject research.
• Experience interacting directly with study participants and collecting human research data.
• Comfort setting up and operating cognitive and sensory neuroscientific equipment.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to follow established protocols accurately.
• Ability to work on-site at the Client Sport Research Lab in Beaverton, Oregon.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Neuroscience or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with EEG, fNIRS, or related neurophysiological technologies.
• Experience in a neuroscience, human performance, biomechanics, or applied research laboratory.
• Experience with basic data processing and analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, R, Excel, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with human-subject research requirements and informed consent procedures.

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a participant-centered approach.
• Technical aptitude and a practical troubleshooting mindset.
• Commitment to scientific rigor, data quality, and participant confidentiality.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a collaborative, fast-paced laboratory environment.
• Reliable, detail-oriented team contributor who is comfortable supporting research designed by more senior researchers.

What You'll Do

• As a member of the Mind Sciences team, you will help bring research studies to life. Your work will ensure participants have a positive experience, equipment operates reliably, protocols are executed consistently, and data are collected and stored with the quality needed to support meaningful scientific and innovation outcomes. Working alongside neuroscientists and other researchers, you will contribute directly to research that informs athlete insights and product innovation.

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