We're hiring

The PERSI Lab is hiring!

We're hiring a Project Manager and Postdoc! See below for details or contact us for more info.

PROJECT MANAGER POSITION SUMMARY

The Promoting Ethnic Racial Socialization and Identity (PERSI) Lab, directed by Dr. Esther Calzada, seeks a Research Program Coordinator to help build and support the implementation of community-engaged research focused on advancing the wellbeing of young children and families from historically marginalized communities. Grounded in Dr. Calzada’s work, the lab examines how cultural values, ethnic-racial socialization, parenting practices, and systemic inequities shape children’s mental health, social-emotional development, and early academic outcomes.

The Research Program Coordinator will play a central role in coordinating research and outreach activities that build and sustain community partnerships and integrate culturally responsive approaches. This includes collaborating closely with community-based organizations, schools, and families to support data collection, develop culturally informed resources, and promote strengths-based frameworks that highlight resilience, such as ethnic identity and family processes.

This position also manages the day-to-day operations of the lab and supports a collaborative team of graduate students and undergraduate research assistants. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational and communication skills, experience engaging diverse communities, and a demonstrated interest in equity-focused, community-based research and interventions that aim to reduce disparities in child development and family wellbeing.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public health, education, psychology, or a related field
  • One (1) year of related professional experience

Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES TYPICALLY NEEDED TO PERFORM THIS JOB SUCCESSFULLY

  1. Demonstrated experience collaborating with community-based organizations, schools, healthcare settings, and/or populations in the Greater New Orleans area.
  2. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
  3. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
  4. Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently.
  5. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
  6. Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Experience with participant recruitment and community outreach strategies 
  2. Experience developing outreach materials, social media content, or public-facing resources.
  3. Familiarity with human subjects research (e.g., IRB processes) 
  4. Bilingual proficiency (Spanish/English)

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW POSITION SUMMARY

A postdoctoral position is available in the Department of Psychology at Tulane University in historic Uptown New Orleans. The postdoctoral fellow will work with Dr. Esther Calzada, a clinical child psychologist whose research focuses on parenting, early childhood development, and reducing disparities in academic, behavioral, and socio-emotional outcomes among Latinx and other minoritized children and families.

The successful candidate will contribute to a program of research examining the impact of family, school, and community factors on Latinx child development, with particular attention to the role of unique stressors such as discrimination and the protective influence of cultural strengths such as ethnic-racial identity. The fellow will support an NIH-funded award that examines mental health trajectories across the early lifespan from age 2 through 22 in Latinx populations; help lead community-based efforts to develop paradigms of early ethnic-racial socialization in diverse families of young children ages 3 to 6; and participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of culturally responsive family- and school-based strategies designed to promote positive developmental outcomes and support healthy child and family functioning.

Responsibilities include coordinating a lab of research assistants; managing and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data; presenting findings at professional conferences; preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed publication; contributing to grant proposals and reports; and collaborating with community partners. The fellow will have opportunities to take a lead role in developing manuscripts and pilot projects aligned with the mission of advancing scientific equity and improving outcomes for historically underserved child populations.

The position is for two years, contingent on performance and availability of funding.

Appointment Period: August, 2027 through July, 2029

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Ph.D. in Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Education, Social Work, or a closely related field.
  2. Demonstrated research experience in child development, developmental psychopathology, parenting, family processes, racial-ethnic disparities, or related areas.
  3. Experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research methods, including data collection, management, and analysis. 
  4. Proficiency with statistical software such as SPSS, Stata, R, SAS, or similar analytical platforms.
  5. Evidence of scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
  6. Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to work effectively with interdisciplinary research teams and diverse community populations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Experience conducting research with Latinx, immigrant, or other historically underrepresented and minoritized populations.
  2. Knowledge of family-based, school-based, or community-based intervention research.
  3. Experience managing federally funded research projects and working with community partners.
  4. Spanish proficiency.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Candidates must apply via Interfolio and provide the following:

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Cover Letter detailing research interests and qualifications
  • Writing Sample or Representative Publication
  • Three Professional References (candidates will provide names and email addresses)

Please reach out to Dr. Esther Calzada for details.