The Development, Experience, and Neurocognition (DEN) Lab (Director: Dr. Ece Demir-Lira) at the University of Iowa is seeking a full-time Lab Coordinator to support multiple longitudinal research projects examining how parent–child interactions and broader contextual factors shape typically and atypically developing children’s neurocognitive development and school readiness. The lab integrates behavioral assessments, standardized testing, and naturalistic observations with neuroimaging methods—including functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS; including hyperscanning) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—to investigate the mechanisms linking children’s early experiences to cognitive and brain development.

The lab provides a highly supportive and collaborative research environment. This position offers opportunities to engage directly with research participants, administer interviews and standardized assessments, manage and analyze data, and mentor undergraduate research assistants. The coordinator will receive close mentorship from a developmental cognitive neuroscientist and a clinical psychologist and will have the opportunity to work with at-risk and underserved populations. This position is particularly well suited for individuals seeking research experience in preparation for graduate or medical school.

The individual hired for this position will be expected to:

• Coordinate day-to-day operations across multiple parent–child research projects.


• Assist with laboratory regulatory processes, including IRB protocol management and support for NIH and other grant-related documentation.


• Recruit, schedule, and retain research participants.


• Conduct behavioral, standardized, and neuroimaging (fNIRS) assessments with young children and caregivers.


• Score standardized measures and ensure high-quality data collection.


• Manage and organize large multimodal datasets using REDCap or similar platforms.


• Assist with data preprocessing and statistical analyses, primarily in R.


• Supervise and train undergraduate research assistants.


• Communicate regularly with lab members and the director to ensure smooth project coordination.


• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to all Institutional Review Board (IRB) and ethical guidelines.


• Follow research protocols with careful attention to detail under the supervision of Dr. Ece Demir-Lira.


• Collaborate with the research team to maintain project progress and timelines.


• Support additional lab management and research-related tasks as needed.

The initial appointment is for one year (anticipated start: Spring 2026), with the possibility of renewal for a second year contingent on performance and available funding. We are particularly interested in candidates who can commit to the position for two years. Mentoring, training, and supervision will be provided. The lab is housed in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Iowa. This is a full-time, in-person position in Iowa City. Some evening and weekend availability will be required to accommodate participant schedules.

Salary and Benefits:

• Starting salary of $38,755 in the first year;


• Optional health insurance package and dental plan;


• Retirement plan participation;


• Covered by University Workers Compensation;


• Fifteen days paid time off per year plus paid University holidays.

Required application materials:

• Cover letter or letter of interest


• CV/resume


• Unofficial transcripts


• Contact information for three professional references

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. In addition to applying online through the Jobs@UIOWA website, interested applicants should email a cover letter, CV, unofficial transcripts, and the names and contact information of three references to Dr. Ece Demir-Lira at ece-demirlira@uiowa.edu. Please include “DEN Lab Coordinator Application” in the subject line.

The University of Iowa is a leading public university located in Iowa City, a midsize community with a high quality of life. The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences is experiencing vigorous growth and enhancement. The University is also making substantial investments in neuroscience—already a large community with more than 100 faculty members across five colleges and 26 departments.

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, or a related field.

• Research or applied experience working with young children and families.


• Strong organizational skills and careful attention to detail.


• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.


• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively with young children and caregivers.


• Basic experience with database management, data entry, and data organization.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel).


• Experience administering or scoring standardized assessments.


• Ability to work 40 hours per week, primarily weekdays with occasional evening and weekend availability.


• US citizenship or permanent residency is an eligibility requirement of the Post-Baccalaureate Research Intern program at Iowa.