Research Associate, Mind Sciences

A leading global brand's sport research lab is hiring a Research Associate to support its Mind Sciences team. This team runs human-subject research that advances the understanding of perception, cognition, neurophysiology, and the athlete experience.

You will help execute studies that investigate how specific products translate into real benefit and performance for athletes. That means working hands-on with athlete participants, applying EEG caps according to protocol, confirming data is recorded and stored correctly, cleaning data, and running preliminary analysis. You will work closely with senior researchers who design the studies, and your execution is what makes the science hold up.

You will sit on a direct team of roughly three researchers, inside a broader perception science group of about five to eight people.

What You'll Do

Research Study Execution

• Execute human-subject research studies designed by senior researchers
• Prepare research spaces and study materials ahead of participant arrival
• Follow established protocols precisely and consistently
• Partner with researchers and lab personnel to bring studies to completion

Participant Experience and Compliance

• Welcome participants, walk them through procedures, answer questions, and keep them comfortable throughout the session
• Confirm informed consent documentation is completed and signed before any study activity begins
• Monitor participant comfort and well-being, escalating 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 equipment is functional and research-ready before every data collection session
• Document and communicate technical issues to senior researchers

Data Collection and Management

• Collect high-quality physiological, behavioral, and subjective data while monitoring quality in real time
• Label, store, organize, and transfer data according to established procedures
• Maintain accurate study and participant records while protecting confidentiality and data integrity
• Perform light data cleaning, processing, visualization, and QC checks under senior researcher guidance

Must-Have Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience or a closely related field
• 4+ years of relevant human-subject research experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 2+ years with a Master's degree
• Hands-on experience executing human research, meaning direct interaction with human subjects during a study
• Familiarity with neuroimaging tools and applying them to human participants
• Ability to conduct basic research and analysis
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the discipline to follow protocols exactly
• Able to work on-site in the greater Portland, OR area

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Neuroscience or a related field
• Hands-on experience running EEG studies
• Experience with fNIRS or related neurophysiological technologies
• Experience working with athletes
• Sensory perception research experience
• Background in a neuroscience, human performance, biomechanics, or applied research lab
• Working knowledge of MATLAB, Python, R, or Excel for basic data processing
• Familiarity with human-subject research requirements and informed consent procedures

What Makes Someone Successful Here

• Personable and participant-centered. You put people at ease.
• Strong communicator with senior researchers and participants alike
• Self-starter who does not wait to be told what to do next
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and shifting priorities
• Practical troubleshooting mindset with real technical aptitude
• Committed to scientific rigor, data quality, and participant confidentiality

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About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands. Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits! Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.