Research Associate

Job Title: Research Associate

Job Description

The Research Associate will support a vibrant health and wellness research group by executing a wide range of sleep, cognition, and psychophysics studies in a laboratory setting. The role involves working closely with principal investigators to collect high-quality biometric and behavioral data, maintain and troubleshoot laboratory equipment, and ensure rigorous adherence to testing and safety protocols. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to real-world evidence generation for wellness benefits related to scent, taste, and nutrition products.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with principal investigators to plan and execute sleep research studies in accordance with established protocols.
• Conduct cognition research studies using biometric and behavioral measures, ensuring accurate and reliable data collection.
• Execute psychophysics studies that evaluate sensory perception and responses, following strict experimental procedures.
• Work with human and/or animal subjects in a research setting while following all relevant ethical, safety, and compliance guidelines.
• Maintain detailed, accurate, and organized records of experiments, procedures, and results to support data integrity and reproducibility.
• Set up, operate, and monitor laboratory equipment used in sleep, cognition, and psychophysics research.
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of laboratory instruments and equipment to minimize downtime.
• Ensure the laboratory remains clean, organized, and compliant with safety and quality standards, including proper handling and storage of materials.
• Adhere to strict testing and safety protocols to ensure high standards of quality and participant safety throughout all studies.
• Support data processing and analysis using tools such as MATLAB, Python, or R as needed for ongoing research projects.
• Contribute to the general upkeep of the research lab, including inventory management and preparation of materials for upcoming studies.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor"s degree in Biology or Neuroscience.
• Experience working with human and/or animal subjects in a research setting.
• Strong record keeping skills, with demonstrated experience maintaining accurate and organized research documentation.
• Proficiency with at least one of the following: MATLAB, Python, or R.
• Foundational knowledge in biology, neuroscience, or chemistry relevant to experimental research.
• Ability to follow strict testing and safety protocols and maintain high standards of quality.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in experimental execution and data collection.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a research laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with biometrics and behavioral measures used in cognition research.
• Interest in health, wellness, and the science behind scent, taste, and nutrition products.
• Ability to troubleshoot laboratory equipment and resolve basic technical issues.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to handle multiple studies and tasks concurrently.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with principal investigators and other research staff.

Work Environment

The role is based in a research laboratory environment within a health and wellness research group focused on real-world evidence for wellness benefits of scent, taste, and nutrition products. You will work with laboratory instruments and equipment used for sleep, cognition, and psychophysics studies, including tools for biometric and behavioral data collection. The setting emphasizes adherence to strict safety and testing protocols, proper handling of materials, and consistent record keeping. The environment is collaborative, science-driven, and quality-focused, with an expectation of professionalism and readiness to work in a lab setting throughout the workday.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Union Beach, NJ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $30.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Union Beach,NJ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 19, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.