Research Assistant
2 - 5 years
San Diego, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
1 month ago
About the role
RatioScaled is hiring a Research Assistant to help us collect real-world data using our cognitive testing device and software application.
We are a young startup building new tools for cognitive assessment: a simple physical device, connected to a web application, that allows people to complete brief, standardized tasks measuring areas such as reaction time, processing speed, attention, memory, perceptual discrimination, and related aspects of cognitive performance.
Our goal is to make high-quality cognitive measurement more practical outside of specialized laboratories — in real-world settings such as libraries, schools, universities, workplaces, community programs, senior care settings, clinics, and other everyday environments where people can be tested carefully and consistently.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with people, is organized and reliable, and is interested in research, psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, education, health, technology, or early-stage startups.
What you’ll do
You will help run structured testing sessions with participants using our device and web application. This may include:
You will not be expected to make clinical judgments or diagnoses. The work is focused on careful test administration, participant experience, data quality, and real-world product feedback.
Who we’re looking for
We are open to a wide range of educational and career backgrounds. You do not need to fit one narrow profile.
You may be a strong fit if you are:
Experience with academic research, psychology, neuroscience, education, public health, clinical research, human-subjects research, psychometrics, usability testing, or field data collection is a plus — but not required. We are happy to train the right person.
Why this role is interesting
This is an unusually hands-on opportunity to help shape an early research product from the ground up. You will work directly with the company’s founders and help us learn how cognitive testing works in real environments, with real participants, outside of a narrow lab context.
Because we are still small, the role can expand significantly for someone who proves thoughtful, reliable, and capable. Depending on your interests and availability, there may be opportunities to grow into broader responsibilities in research operations, participant recruitment, site partnerships, protocol development, product feedback, data collection strategy, or startup operations.
Work arrangement and compensation
This role is flexible. We are open to candidates with either part-time or full-time availability.
Much of the planning, communication, documentation, and team coordination can be done remotely. However, the role requires local, in-person work in the posted city, since you will be helping test participants in real-world settings.
Compensation will be determined based on availability, experience, and level of commitment.
We are a young startup building new tools for cognitive assessment: a simple physical device, connected to a web application, that allows people to complete brief, standardized tasks measuring areas such as reaction time, processing speed, attention, memory, perceptual discrimination, and related aspects of cognitive performance.
Our goal is to make high-quality cognitive measurement more practical outside of specialized laboratories — in real-world settings such as libraries, schools, universities, workplaces, community programs, senior care settings, clinics, and other everyday environments where people can be tested carefully and consistently.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with people, is organized and reliable, and is interested in research, psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, education, health, technology, or early-stage startups.
What you’ll do
You will help run structured testing sessions with participants using our device and web application. This may include:
- Coordinating with local sites such as schools, libraries, offices, community organizations, or senior care settings
- Scheduling and preparing participant testing sessions
- Explaining tasks clearly and making participants feel comfortable
- Operating the device and web app during brief cognitive testing sessions
- Following standardized research protocols and consent procedures
- Recording field notes about participant experience, usability issues, and testing conditions
- Helping us understand how the device performs outside of controlled lab settings
- Communicating regularly with the founding team about what is working, what is confusing, and what should be improved
- Potentially assisting with participant recruitment, site outreach, protocol refinement, and research operations as the role grows
You will not be expected to make clinical judgments or diagnoses. The work is focused on careful test administration, participant experience, data quality, and real-world product feedback.
Who we’re looking for
We are open to a wide range of educational and career backgrounds. You do not need to fit one narrow profile.
You may be a strong fit if you are:
- Warm, patient, and comfortable interacting with many different kinds of people
- Highly organized and attentive to detail
- Reliable about scheduling, communication, and follow-through
- Comfortable using basic technology, web applications, and connected devices
- Able to follow protocols carefully while still using good judgment in real-world settings
- Curious about cognitive science, psychology, education, aging, health, human performance, or research methods
- Based in the posted location and able to travel locally to testing sites as needed
Experience with academic research, psychology, neuroscience, education, public health, clinical research, human-subjects research, psychometrics, usability testing, or field data collection is a plus — but not required. We are happy to train the right person.
Why this role is interesting
This is an unusually hands-on opportunity to help shape an early research product from the ground up. You will work directly with the company’s founders and help us learn how cognitive testing works in real environments, with real participants, outside of a narrow lab context.
Because we are still small, the role can expand significantly for someone who proves thoughtful, reliable, and capable. Depending on your interests and availability, there may be opportunities to grow into broader responsibilities in research operations, participant recruitment, site partnerships, protocol development, product feedback, data collection strategy, or startup operations.
Work arrangement and compensation
This role is flexible. We are open to candidates with either part-time or full-time availability.
Much of the planning, communication, documentation, and team coordination can be done remotely. However, the role requires local, in-person work in the posted city, since you will be helping test participants in real-world settings.
Compensation will be determined based on availability, experience, and level of commitment.
Skills
Technology, Information and Internet