The GSLIS Usability Research Assistant is the primary support for the GSLIS Usability Lab in all aspects of data recording (both audio and video), research support, application support, faculty support, and quality control. This role will include working with a variety of usability testing devices, data collection and analysis software (Morae) and helping with testing scenario building in a multi-platform environment. The GSLIS Usability Research Assistant will also be responsible for scheduling all faculty/staff reservations and participant interviews taking place in the Usability Lab.

The GSLIS Usability Research Assistant is provided with opportunities to develop and build upon technical skills in usability testing (in the lab or on site), user studies, project management, customer relations management, faculty support, and research design methodologies involving usability. This position works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students in research and instructional support for usability techniques involving digital audio and video components. Familiarity with the research process, statistical software, or qualitative analysis software is useful. Experience with portable usability lab equipment and use is helpful.

The GSLIS Usability Research Assistant (URA) will report to Professor Rong Tang, with Linnea Johnson functioning as the immediate supervisor. The URA is part of the GSLIS Technology team, and is expected to assume team goals and responsibilities. The position is expected to start in December 2011, at ten hours per week and at the rate of $13/hr. Interested candidates should send a resume with a cover letter explaining their qualifications for the position to linnea.johnson@simmons.edu.

The deadline for application is November 4, 2011. We will start interviewing applicants in the second week of November.

Responsibilities include:
• Assist with building and deploying usability workstation images and software
updates
• Handle the scheduling, maintain online calendar, and complete the activity
log for the Lab
• Support for faculty and staff administering usability tests, from within GSLIS
and from outside of the School
• Edit and process post-test data in both digital audio and video formats
• Provide point-of-use instruction for hardware and usability software
• Provide point-of-use instruction for the portable usability lab
• Provide documentation in the area of usability testing, both for software and
hardware

Preferred skills include:
• Familiarity with Mac and PC operating systems
• Knowledge of database management systems
• Familiarity with the research process, statistical software or qualitative analysis
software.
• Familiarity with multimedia production and file formats, including digital
editing and file conversion
• Knowledge of digital recording tools and operation of digital camcorders
• Some experience with portable usability lab equipment
• Familiarity with Internet applications and markup languages, such as HTML
and XML
• Familiarity with screen-casting software such as Morae and Camtasia
• Exceptional problem solving skills and resourcefulness
• Excellent written communication and oral presentation skills
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment

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