Job Details

Research Technology Specialist

Position Number: 6776590
Location: Hamilton, NY
Position Type: Computer and Information Technology

Colgate University

Research Technology Specialist

Requisition Number: 2025S086Posting
Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
Division: $ATSDiv
Department: Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences
Wage/Salary Range: $73,500-$76,500

Department Statement:

The Psychological and Brain Sciences Department applies scientific approaches to understanding sensation, motivation, perception, cognition, language, development, personality, psychological disorders, and social behavior. As a collective, we deploy techniques that capture processes at the level of the gene, the cell, the brain, the individual organism, and the group.

Accountabilities:

The Research Technology Specialist provides integrated technical and research support to the
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Colgate University. The position plays a key role
in enabling high-quality undergraduate and faculty research through experiment programming, data workflows, systems support, and troubleshooting of research-related hardware and software. The Specialist supports the departments technological infrastructure in ways that directly enhance both teaching and research. The role offers the opportunity to work closely with faculty across cognitive, social, clinical, developmental, and neuroscience subfields.
Responsibilities include:

Design and program custom software for teaching and research, including developing behavioral experiments using PsychoPy (Python) and related tools.
Provide training and support to students and faculty using research software platforms (e.g., Qualtrics, PsychoPy).
Provide technical support for specialized laboratory and classroom instruction, ensuring smooth operation of research and teaching related technologies.
Serve as a liaison between PBSC and Colgate ITS regarding research related technology needs.
Maintain, update, and troubleshoot macOS and Windows hardware and software across labs, classrooms, and offices.
Maintain equipment inventory and storage and assist faculty with technology purchases, coordinating with ITS where required by university procurement guidelines.
Assist with routine maintenance of departmental servers and internal websites, including updates, backups, and basic configuration, consulting with ITS as appropriate on higher-level security or infrastructure questions.
Administer the departments SONA research participation system, including managing user accounts, postings, and data import/export.
Support secure data storage, networking, and backup solutions for faculty research workflows.
Troubleshoot specialized research tools used by faculty (e.g., REDCap, Mindware) and learn new technologies as needed.
Provide basic support for student and faculty use of R for introductory-level data analysis, including troubleshooting script errors, loading data, installing packages, and helping
students run simple analyses.

Professional Experience/Qualifications

Relevant experience in programming or technical support (through coursework, internships, research experience, or professional work).
Strong Python skills and the ability to learn new technologies quickly.
Experience supporting users with varied levels of technical sophistication.
Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.

Preferred Qualifications

Python for research applications (PsychoPy experience a plus).
Experience with HTML, CSS, JavaScript.
Familiarity with relational databases (e.g., MySQL/MariaDB).
Experience with Linux-based systems or willingness to learn basic server administration.
Desktop support experience (macOS and Windows).
Experience with Qualtrics customization, PsychoPy, REDCap, or Mindware.
Familiarity with R or willingness to learn R to provide basic troubleshooting support for student analyses.
Prior experience in an academic or research support setting.

Education

Bachelors degree in computer science, psychology, neuroscience, information systems, or another field with strong technical experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Other Information

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday business hours with potential for occasional remote work.

Job Open Date: 12/04/2025
Job Close Date: 2/6/2026
Open Until Filled Yes

Special Instructions Summary

To view the full job posting and apply for this position, go to: https://careers.colgate.edu/postings/6719

The University recognizes that equal employment opportunity can only be achieved through demonstrated leadership. It is the Policy of the University to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and train employees on the basis of skills and experience, capacity to do the job, and valid job qualifications without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.

CAMPUS CRIME REPORTING AND STATISTICS

The Department of Campus Safety will provide upon request a copy of Colgates Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. This report includes statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education for the previous three years concerning reported: 1. crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Colgate University; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus and 2. fires that occurred in student housing facilities. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security and fire safety, such as policies concerning sexual assault, life safety systems, and other related matters. You may access the report from the Clery Compliance web page at: https://www.colgate.edu/about/offices-centers-institutes/dean-college/campus-safety-staff/clery-compliance. Printed copies of this report may be obtained upon request from the Department of Campus Safety via e-mail at cusafety@colgate.edu.