research assistant health psychology

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Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Department of Psychological Sciences

PSY 39000 (Research Experience in Psychology)

PSY 39000 is a course that allows you to work as a research assistant on projects managed by a faculty member or graduate student in the Department of Psychological Sciences. Through this course, you’ll gain hands-on experience in data collection and learn skills such as data analysis, data interpretation and writing. The course will also allow you to develop contacts for job references and letters of recommendation as well as enhance the competitiveness of your application for graduate school, professional school or a variety of careers.

Faculty Accepting Undergraduate Students — Spring 2024

Teri Kirby – Social

Faculty member and other supervisors

Teri Kirby, PhD, Assistant Professor – Social Psychology Austin Zeng, Lab Coordinator Junming Zhang, Graduate Researcher

Description of research area

• Research in Dr. Kirby’s lab explores a range of topics related to diversity, inclusion, identity, prejudice, and discrimination. We most often focus on racial/ethnic, gender/sex, and LGBTQ+ diversity.
• Recent topics of investigation include:
• Diversity ideologies: ideas about how to accommodate differences across ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation categories (e.g., multicultural and colorblind approaches to diversity)
• Diversity initiatives: intersectional approaches to diversity initiatives, how diversity initiatives shape sensitivity to discrimination, self-concept, stereotyping, and academic/workplace outcomes
• The co-opting of diversity by majority/privileged groups
• Cultural appropriation
• Intersectionality and feminism

Description of undergraduate participation

Research assistants typically gain experience running participants in experimental lab studies, recruiting research participants, programming surveys, collecting survey data, entering or analyzing data, reviewing relevant psychological literature, and helping to design studies. They also gain experience with software that can be useful for graduate school (e.g., Qualtrics, Zotero, SPSS, R and RStudio).

Research assistants attend research group meetings to discuss projects in the lab and learn more about the research process. Finally, more senior research assistants may have the opportunity to conduct independent research projects and mentor/train more junior assistants.

Research setting

Labs in Psychology Building

Number of assistants needed

Contact information.

Please submit your application at: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9tzVkWICaZbikMC

For questions, please contact Austin Zeng: [email protected]

Additional comments

• Must have completed PSY 120
• Completion of or enrollment in PSY 240 and PSY 203 preferred
• GPA of 3.0 or higher preferred
• Minimum commitment of 3 credits per term (9 hours per week) required, as well as two terms overall (those committing to three or more terms receive preference)
• Minimum commitment of 3 credits per term (9 hours per week) required, as well as two terms overall (or 2 credits for 3 terms). Those committing to three or more terms receive preference.

However, all interested candidates are encouraged to apply. We especially encourage people from underrepresented or marginalized groups to apply.

Franki Kung – Industrial-Organizational

Research Team

Principal Investigator: Franki Kung , Assistant Professor, I-O Psychology Graduate Investigators: Sharon Li, Rick Yang, and Dante Bruno Lab Manager and Researcher: Carmen Huang

Description of Research Area 

At the Conflict and Mindset Collaboratory , we conduct research to help people and organizations effectively manage:

• Culture and Diversity (e.g., diversity policies, cultural mindset, immigrants)
• Conflict Resolution (e.g., negotiation, feedback effectiveness)
• Multiple Goals (e.g., self-regulation, goal conflicts)

Description of Undergraduate Participation

We design the lab experience to prepare our undergraduate research assistants for graduate school and jobs in the fields of I-O and social psychology, management, human resource, and organizational behavior. Students will join a community of peers, researchers, and mentors passionate about the studies of diversity, conflict, and goals. Besides individual project team meetings and tasks, students attend lab meeting weekly to learn and discuss related issues and enjoy other social events throughout the semester (e.g., lunch, escape room, mini golf).

Junior research assistants will have the opportunities to

• learn how to conduct online surveys, literature reviews, behavioral experiments, and qualitative analysis (e.g., picture coding, focus group analysis)
• develop scientific thinking and presentation skills in weekly lab meetings
• attend research and professional development workshops (e.g., literature review, survey design, data analysis)
• honors contract or scholarly project

Senior research assistants (typically 1+ year experience) will have the opportunities to

• manage participant recruitment and lab schedule
• conduct training sessions
• develop their own research ideas and design studies
• present findings in academic conferences

We support and encourage student involvement in our lab through scholarship programs such as Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation , OUR Scholars , and Summer Stay Scholars .

Research Setting

Our research takes part mostly in our lab space (in the Psychological Sciences building) and some part of the work can be carried out remotely (e.g., from home).

Number of Assistants Needed:

Contact information.

To Apply, please fill out this form and supply related documents.

Contact Dr. Kung at [email protected] if you have questions. Twitter: @ConflictMindset

Additional Comments

Preference is given to students who major or are interested in Psychology, Business, or related fields. Application is reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the semester – if you are interested, apply now!

Thekla Morgenroth – Social

Faculty member or graduate student

Dr. Thekla Morgenroth (they/them/their), Assistant Professor—Social Psychology

Kira Means (she/her), graduate student – Social Psycholog

Yanzhe (Austin) Zeng (he/him), lab manager – Social Psychology

Description of research area 

Research in the UNICORN ( UN derstanding I dentity and the CO ntinuance of R oles and N orms) lab examines how and why people defend and maintain social categories and hierarchies.

Topics of investigation include:

• Stereotypes of different groups (e.g., based on gender/sex, sexual orientation, and social class)
• Opposition to policies that benefit marginalized groups (e.g., trans and non-binary people)
• The psychology of different feminist ideologies
• Gender and Sexuality

The lab experience is designed to provide students with hands-on experience with the research process.

Research assistants have the opportunity to:

• Conduct research using a variety of research designs and methods
• Gain experience in software used for research (e.g., Qualtrics, SPSS)
• Engage with and code open-response data
• Read and analyze published academic articles
• Be active participants in weekly lab meetings and discussions about research

More experienced research assistants also have opportunities to:

• Engage in independent research projects, mentored by Dr. Morgenroth
• Present their results to the lab
• Train and mentor incoming undergraduate research assistants

Work will be carried out in a joint lab space in person at specific times (depending on your schedule).

Please fill out the following survey by October 23rd. You will hear back within 1-2 weeks of this deadline. https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a8CUIaw5Qvcm7lQ

Members of underrepresented or marginalized groups are particularly encouraged to apply. In addition, individuals interested in pursuing careers in academic research and/or who may be interested in working in the lab for more than one semester are particularly encouraged to apply. Students should be able to commit at least 6 hours/week (2 credits).

Faculty Accepting Undergraduate Students — Summer 2024

Jennifer Brown – Clinical

Dr. Jennifer Brown

Lab Website: https://jenniferbrownphd.wordpress.com/

Work conducted in our clinical health psychology lab is focused on addressing substance use, HIV, and reproductive health disparities both domestically and globally. Current research seeks to:

• Develop and evaluate culturally-tailored interventions to prevent HIV/AIDS; improve reproductive health and substance use outcomes; and address the intersection between substance use and infectious diseases.
• Implement evidence-based interventions in community settings to improve HIV, reproductive health, and substance use outcomes.
• Understand cultural facets of mental health, substance use, reproductive health, and infectious disease disparities.

Students will be involved in all phases of research, including conducting literature reviews, designing studies, working with research participants, analyzing data, and preparing presentations and publications of study results. Students will also participate in regularly scheduled lab meetings and discussions of readings on relevant clinical health psychology topics.

Dr. Brown’s lab is located on the first floor in the Psychology Building.

Application

If you are interested in joining our laboratory, please contact Dr. Brown at the email address below for an application and fill out this survey form: Survey Form

Email: [email protected]

Research in Dr. Kirby’s lab explores a range of topics related to diversity, inclusion, identity, prejudice, and discrimination. We most often focus on racial/ethnic, gender/sex, and LGBTQ+ diversity. Recent topics of investigation include:

Hongmi Lee – Cognitive

Faculty member

Hongmi Lee (she/her), Assistant Professor, Cognitive Psychology

In the Lee Memory and Cognition Lab , we investigate how the human brain remembers complex real-world events. Our research is focused on understanding the characteristics of narrated memory recall for experiences resembling real-life situations (e.g., free web browsing) and the brain mechanisms that support the storage and recall of those experiences. We utilize a combination of behavioral experiments and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

As undergraduate research assistants, you will work closely with other lab members, contributing to a range of tasks essential for our fMRI and behavioral experiments. These tasks primarily include participant recruitment, preparation, and testing, as well as data coding, organization, and basic analysis. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to attend lab meetings and other lab-related events. If you express interest and demonstrate the required skills, you may also have the chance to develop your independent research project.

Most of the research activity will take place in our lab space and testing rooms on the 2nd floor of Peirce Hall. fMRI experiments will be conducted at the Purdue Life Science MRI Facility on campus.

1 – 3 students

Hongmi Lee / Lee Memory and Cognition Lab

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: N/A Office: 3160 PSYC

To apply, please send an email to [email protected] with the following materials:

• A very brief statement (no longer than one page) describing 1) who you are, 2) why you are interested in joining our lab, 3) your prior research experience and technical skills (e.g., computer programming), and 4) your weekly availability
• A CV or resume, if available
• An unofficial transcript

Although we prefer students with relevant skills and/or who intend to be involved over a longer period, all interested students are encouraged to apply. Students from underrepresented or marginalized groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

Kira Means (she/her), graduate student – Social Psychology

Heejoo Chung (she/her), graduate student – Social Psychology

• LGBTQ+ issues
• Gender and the gender binary
• Opposition to trans-inclusive policies
• Stereotypes and prejudice

Please fill out the following survey by March 22nd. You will hear back within 1-2 weeks of this deadline.

https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a8CUIaw5Qvcm7lQ

Faculty Accepting Undergraduate Students — Fall 2024

Chris Agnew – Social

Chris Agnew, PhD, Professor, Social Psychology, RSVP Lab Director

Description of Research 

We conduct research on interpersonal relationships and are particularly focusing on relationship processes that take place in virtual reality (VR).

Research assistants perform a variety of tasks, including collecting data in our VR lab. You will be trained on how to conduct research involving participants who interact within VR. We also often design new VR studies together as a lab team. Lab team meetings take place weekly, either in person or via Horizon Workrooms in VR, with lab team members using lab-supplied Meta Quest headsets to attend. Team members also assist with relationship experiments and surveys not focused on VR.

All work is completed in the Psychological Sciences building or in virtual space. Research assistants spend most of their hours working in the lab.

We are recruiting up to 4 new undergraduate students to join the RSVP Lab in Fall 2025 to work alongside returning undergraduate research assistants. Research assistants are expected to work an average of 9 hours per week during the semester and receive 3 credits for PSY 39000.

How to Apply

Send (1) your CV, (2) unofficial Purdue transcript, (3) statement of research interests, and (4) reasons for applying, as one PDF file via email attachment to Dr. Agnew at [email protected] . Minimum 3.3 overall GPA required. Interviews for the most promising applicants will take place via Zoom in April and May 2024 until positions are filled. Thx for your interest!

Jeffrey D. Karpicke – Cognitive

Dr. Jeffrey D. Karpicke Cognition and Learning Lab

The Cognition and Learning Lab conducts basic and applied research on how people learn. Specific areas of interest are as follows:

• Identifying effective learning strategies
• Metacognition and self-regulated learning
• Developing computer-based learning tools
• Memory retrieval processes and retrieval-based learning

Students in the Cognition and Learning Lab have the opportunity to get involved in all phases of the research process. Most frequently this consists of running experimental sessions, helping to score and analyze data, and attending bi-weekly lab meetings. Additionally, students have the opportunity (although this is not required) to conduct independent research and learn more about experimental design/computer programming.

The Cognition and Learning Lab is located on the 1 st floor of Peirce Hall.

2-4 research assistants are needed.

Students interested in doing PSY 390/391/498 in the Cognition and Learning Lab should complete an application by April 12th. We will follow up with you within two weeks of that deadline. If you have any questions, please direct them to Michelle Coverdale: [email protected]

For more information see our lab website . Students with GPAs of 3.4 and higher are particularly encouraged to apply.

Principal Investigator: Franki Kung , Assistant Professor, I-O Psychology Graduate Investigators: Rick Yang, and Dante Bruno

Margo Monteith – Social

Dr. Margo Monteith, Distinguished Professor—Social Psychology

Anna Li, graduate student, —Social Psychology

Liz Noland, graduate student, —Social Psychology

Research in Dr. Monteith’s Intergroup Relations and Inclusion lab explores issues related to stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination.

• Implicit or unconscious biases and their effect on people’s perceptions, evaluations, and behaviors in relation to outgroups (e.g., White people in relation to Black people)
• The self-regulation of biased behavior
• Confrontations of bias (e.g., how people react when they are confronted; how to make confrontations more effective)

Research assistants engage in weekly one-hour research group meetings will be held to discuss various projects in the lab and to help undergraduate assistants to learn what our research is all about. Additional time will be spent on planning and execution (e.g., data collection) of the research projects. Scheduling is flexible.

Please reach out to Anna Li (a graduate student in the Monteith lab), [email protected]   for an application

• GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred
• Minimum commitment of 3 credits per term (9 hours per week) required, as well as two terms overall

Please fill out the following survey by April 5th . You will hear back within 1-2 weeks of this deadline.

Thomas S. Redick – Cognitive

Dr. Thomas S. Redick Purdue Applied Cognition Laboratory (PacLab) PacLab website

Our lab is involved in several research projects focused on understanding the role of working memory and cognitive control as predictors of behavior. Almost all of our studies are conducted with young adults as the sample. Our work is very applied in nature. Below are a few current research topics:

• Individual differences in learning, memory, and attention
• Different ways that people create spatial representations as they navigate a new place
• Ways to modify memory and attention

Students will be involved in all phases of research, including designing experiments, testing participants, analyzing data, and presentations and publications of study results. Students will also participate in regularly scheduled lab meetings and discussions of readings on relevant cognitive psychology topics.

The PacLab is located on the third floor in the Psychology Building.

If you are interested in joining our laboratory, please fill out the following survey: PacLab Undergraduate Research Assistant Interest Form

Susan South – Clinical

Faculty Member and Graduate Students

Susan South, PhD Professor – Clinical Psychology

Jessica Dupree, Graduate Researcher

Magaret Lupo, Graduate Researcher

Description of Research

Research in the Relationships and Mental Health Lab seeks to investigate the role psychopathology plays within intimate romantic relationship experiences. Past research in the RMH Lab has focused on links between trait personality and dysfunction within marital relationships, as well as the interplay between personality and psychopathology and their influence on one another.

Currently, the lab is funded for a project examining the effects of adverse interpersonal experiences on mild cognitive impairment in older adult twins. Additionally, the lab is in collaboration with Dr. Chris Eckhardt’s team to investigate the impact of stress, mood, and alcohol use on relationship experiences, and Dr. David Rollock’s lab to investigate discrimination, relationship functioning, and mental health.

Research assistants will help facilitate data collection by assisting with participant concerns, programming surveys, as well as entering or analyzing data.

Research assistants will also attend biweekly lab meetings to read and discuss relevant journal articles, watch presentations from Dr. South and graduate students regarding research processes to gain additional experience useful for graduate school. Research assistants that have been with the lab for more than one semester may also have an opportunity to conduct their own independent research project.

Most of our research will take place in our lab space in the Psychological Sciences building. Some work may be completed remotely.

Number of Research Assistants Needed

For questions, please contact Dr. South: [email protected]

To apply, please contact [email protected] for an application

Students taking the course for credit should commit to working 3 hours in the lab for each credit (e.g. 9 hours/week for 3 credits).

Louis Tay – Industrial-Organizational

Faculty Member

Louis Tay, PhD, Professor, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, WAM Lab Director

The Well-Being and Measurement (WAM) Lab pursues cross-disciplinary research on human well-being and methodology.

Research assistants perform a variety of tasks, including:

• Learning and practicing literature review techniques
• Collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data
• Assessing traits and characteristics of people from videos or their writing
• Developing research study materials

Topic areas for fall 2024:

• Authenticity and Personality
• Work-Life Balance and Well-being
• Work Relationships
• Trait Assessment
• Big Data/AI/ML

You can find a draft of the syllabus here .

Number of Assistants Needed

We are recruiting up to 4 new undergraduate students to join the WAM Lab in Fall 2024 to work alongside graduate students and senior researchers. Research assistants are expected to work an average of 9 hours per week during the semester and receive 3 credits for PSY 39000.

To apply, please send an email to [email protected] and [email protected] (include both email addresses as recipients) with the following materials:

Although we prefer students with relevant skills and GPAs over 3.3, all interested students are encouraged to apply. Applications will be processed in the order they are received. Please reach out if you have any questions!

Registering and Earning Credit for PSY 39000

Registration for PSY 39000 is done during open registration using Scheduling Assistant — not during pre-registration using the course request form. Although PSY 39000 may be taken more than once, no more than six credits may be taken for a standard grade. All additional PSY 39000 credits must be taken as pass/no pass credit. Only three credits of standard-grade PSY 39000 can be used in the psychological sciences major, the brain and behavior science major, or the psychological sciences minor.

During the 16-week fall or spring semester, you are expected to work three hours in the lab for every credit earned (e.g., three credits would require nine lab hours per week). After the fourth week of the fall or spring semester, you may not register for three credit hours of PSY 39000 without special permission from the Department of Psychological Sciences. Late enrollment in PSY 390 during any semester reduces the number of possible credit hours you can earn.

During the eight-week summer session, you are expected to work in the lab six hours per week for every credit earned (e.g., three credits would require 18 lab hours per week).

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Psychology Research Jobs – Research Psychologists & Psychology Research Assistants

Or browse all of our research job listings

What’s in this guide?

What is research psychology, what is a research psychologist, what is a psychology research assistant, where do they work, how to become a psychology research assistant, how to become a research psychologist, research psychology salaries.

By PsychologyJobs.com Staff Writer

Research psychology is the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes through the use of research methods and empirical data. It involves investigating various aspects of human behavior, including cognition, perception, emotion, motivation, social behavior, personality, and psychopathology, among others.

The primary goal of research psychology is to increase our understanding of human behavior and mental processes, as well as to develop interventions and treatments to improve people’s lives. Research psychologists use a variety of research methods, including experiments, surveys, observational studies, and other techniques to gather data and test theories.

Research psychology has a wide range of applications, including the development of therapies for mental health disorders, the study of the effects of different environmental and social factors on behavior, and the design of interventions to improve cognitive and behavioral performance in various domains. It is an important field of study for anyone interested in understanding human behavior and mental processes.

Within this sphere there are, broadly speaking, two types of job available;  research psychologist  and  psychology research assistant.

A research psychologist specializes in the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. They are trained to design and conduct experiments, surveys, and other types of studies in order to collect data and test theories about human behavior.

To become a research psychologist, you need as a minimum a  master’s degree  and more typically a  doctoral degree in psychology . In addition to completing a doctoral degree, research psychologists may also need to obtain licensure or certification to practice in their state, particularly if they plan to work with clients or patients.

Here are the key areas of focus for a research psychologist:

• Designing and conducting research studies:  designing and implementing research studies to investigate various aspects of human behavior and mental processes. They may use a variety of research methods, such as experiments, surveys, or observational studies, to collect data and test theories.
• Analyzing data:  analyzing the data they collect to draw conclusions about human behavior and mental processes. They use statistical analysis and other techniques to identify patterns and relationships in the data.
• Reporting research findings:  communicating their research findings to other professionals in the field, as well as to the general public. They may write research articles for academic journals or present their findings at conferences or other events.
• Ethical considerations:  following ethical guidelines when conducting research, including obtaining informed consent from participants, protecting their privacy and confidentiality, and minimizing any potential harm or discomfort to participants.
• Collaborating with others:  collaborate with other professionals, such as clinicians, educators, and policymakers, to apply their research findings to real-world problems. They may work as part of a research team or as consultants to other professionals.

Here is what your daily schedule as a research psychologist might look like:

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Check and respond to emails, review research literature relevant to current projects

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Design and plan an upcoming research study, review and analyze data from a previous study

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Break

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Meet with research team to discuss ongoing projects, review progress, and plan next steps

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: Conduct research participant interviews or experiments, record data

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Analyze research data, update research documentation and records

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Attend a departmental meeting or seminar to learn about the latest research findings in the field

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Write a research article for a peer-reviewed journal or work on a grant proposal

A psychology research assistant is someone who works under the supervision of a research psychologist to assist with research projects.

To become a research assistant, it can be helpful to have a  degree in psychology  or a related field, but it is not always a requirement. Some research assistant positions may only require a high school diploma or an  associate’s degree , while others may require a  bachelor’s  or even a  master’s degree .

Here are the key responsibilities of a psychology research assistant:

• Supporting research activities:  This may involve assisting with study design, data collection, data management, and data analysis.
• Recruiting participants:  recruiting study participants through various means such as online recruitment, telephone, or face-to-face contact.
• Conducting literature reviews:  assist in conducting literature reviews to help researchers identify existing research on a topic and inform their research questions.
• Administering surveys and assessments:  responsible for administering surveys and assessments to study participants, either in-person or online.
• Data entry and management:  responsible for entering data into a computer program, organizing data sets, or managing research databases.
• Assisting with ethical considerations:  assist in ensuring ethical considerations are met during the research process, including obtaining informed consent from participants, protecting their privacy and confidentiality, and minimizing any potential harm or discomfort to participants.
• Supporting research dissemination:  assist in disseminating research findings through academic publications, presentations, or other means.

Here is an example daily schedule of a psychology research assistant:

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Check and respond to emails, review literature relevant to current projects

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Assist with recruitment efforts, such as posting flyers or sending emails to potential study participants

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Conduct participant interviews or administer surveys, record data

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Manage research databases

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Conduct literature reviews to help researchers identify existing research on a topic and inform their research questions

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Meet with research team to discuss ongoing projects, review progress, and plan next steps

• Universities and research institutions:  Many research psychologists also teach psychology in addition to their research duties.
• Government agencies:  employed by government agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to conduct research related to public health or other government priorities.
• Private research firms:  Some research psychologists and research assistants may work for private research firms that conduct research on behalf of clients, such as pharmaceutical companies or marketing firms.
• Non-profit organizations:  Research psychologists and research assistants may also be employed by non-profit organizations that conduct research related to social or environmental issues.
• Hospitals and clinics:  Research psychologists and research assistants may also work in hospitals and clinics, conducting research related to mental health disorders or other health issues.
• Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent:  Most research assistant positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field:  While not always required, having a  bachelor’s degree in psychology  or a related field can be beneficial for securing a research assistant position. This can provide you with a strong foundation in research methods, statistics, and psychology.
• Gain relevant experience:  Many research assistant positions require previous research experience, which can be obtained through internships, volunteer work, or research assistantships while in college.
• Develop necessary skills and qualifications:  Research assistant positions require specific skills and qualifications, such as proficiency in Microsoft Office and statistical software, attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team. Developing these skills through coursework or relevant work experience can help you to be a competitive candidate for these positions.
• Search for research assistant positions : Research assistant positions can be  found through PsychologyJobs.com , university career centers, and professional networking sites. You may also consider reaching out directly to research institutions or labs to inquire about potential opportunities.

Becoming a research psychologist requires a more significant investment of time and effort.

• Earn a bachelor’s degree:  The first step to becoming a research psychologist is to  earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology  or a related field.
• Earn a master’s degree:  many doctoral programs require a  master’s degree in psychology  or a related field.
• Obtain a doctoral degree:  Research psychologists typically hold a  doctoral degree in psychology , such as a PhD or a PsyD. These programs typically take 5-7 years to complete and involve coursework, research, and clinical experience.
• Gain research experience:  Research experience is essential for becoming a research psychologist. You can gain research experience through  internships , research assistantships, or working as a research coordinator.
• Obtain licensure or certification:  Depending on the state where you plan to work, you may need to obtain licensure to practice as a psychologist.  Licensure requirements vary , but typically involve completing supervised clinical experience, and  passing the EPPP licensing exam .
• Find a job:  You can search for job opportunities  through PsychologyJobs.com , professional networking sites, or contacting potential employers directly.

See also;  how to become a psychologist .

The median annual wage for research assistants in psychology is $49,850

The median annual wage for research psychologists is $79,000

Both figures sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

For more detailed insights visit our  research psychologist salary guide .

Latest Psychology Research Jobs – Research Psychologists & Psychology Research Assistants Listings

Psychological and Brain Sciences

Research Opportunities

Help us help you.

Faculty laboratories in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences have openings for undergraduate students to work as research assistants. Students can become involved in all aspects of research, from scheduling and running subjects to analyzing data. Depending on the lab, students can interview clients, run test sessions, and even design their own research projects.

Opportunities for professional experience

Working in a research lab is a great opportunity to find out whether a student might be interested in a research career. In addition, students considering graduate school in psychology are strongly advised to obtain research experience while they are still undergraduates -- most graduate schools weight research experience quite strongly when making admission decisions.

Students can get course credit for working in a lab; this is generally offered on a satisfactory/fail basis rather than being graded (an exception is honors research). Most labs prefer that interested students register for course credit in the lab -- one hour of course credit usually translates into approximately three hours of time in the lab.

The requirements for different labs vary, and students are encouraged to talk to faculty whose area of research interests them or whose classes they have enjoyed. Some labs require a 2-semester commitment and may also have minimum GPA requirements as well.

Undergraduate research opportunities

Below is a list of Departmental labs or other units that often involve undergraduates as research assistants. Contact information for each lab is supplied. This is the primary way in which most labs make their positions known to students. However, some labs will occasionally post positions on Office of Undergraduate Research or on Handshake . The application and decision process for most labs usually happens months before the start of the semester (e.g., in March-April during course-registration time for the Fall semester). See lab postings for specific information.

Faculty Member: Professor Bengi Baran

Positions Available: For volunteer initially, but it could become for credit if the student demonstrates commitment to the lab.

Research Description: Humans spend about a third of their life sleeping. Yet, our understanding of the cognitive, emotional and neurodevelopmental functions of this essential behavior and how these may be disrupted in clinical populations is still very limited. Our focus is on defining the physiological features of sleep disturbances in psychiatric disorders, investigating their relations with symptoms and cognitive deficits, and examining the neural circuitry involved in these sleep deficits. Our lab exploits multimodal neuroimaging and electrophysiology techniques to investigate these questions. The ultimate goal of our research is to identify sleep-related biomarkers that play a causal role in psychiatric disorders. Responsibilities & Expectations: Students in this lab will have the opportunity to assist data collection in behavioral, sleep EEG or MRI experiments, organize and maintain databases, and aid in preprocessing of data. They may receive training on EEG and MRI data acquisition, sleep scoring, RedCap, and MRI safety. This is an attractive position for those who are interested in pursuing graduate careers in neuroscience, clinical or cognitive psychology in the future. There is opportunity to conduct honor theses if the student’s research interest aligns with the goals of our lab, and they demonstrate commitment and excellence. We seek mature, reliable, motivated, curious and diligent students who are eager to develop and hone their research skills. Any experience working with neuroimaging or clinical populations is highly desirable To apply, please fill out this form: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7OiaD3OO45SL1jf

Contact Information: [email protected]

Website: Visit NAP Lab Website

This posting was last updated on 11/17/2020

Professor Susan Wagner Cook

Positions Available: For credit.

Research Description: How do ideas get communicated from one person to another? How do our thoughts change over time? Research in this lab explores the interaction of spoken language and hand gestures as children and adults learn new things and communicate about the world. We use nonverbal behavior as both a window onto how thinking changes over time and as a tool for facilitating change in thinking. Students are generally involved in every stage of the research process- including designing studies, and collecting, coding and analyzing data. We are looking for students who are curious and persistent, and who can commit to spending at least two semesters in the lab. We prefer students with a GPA of at least 3.5. To learn more about the lab and to submit an application, please visit our website.

Contact Information: [email protected]

Website: Visit CoLLab Website

This posting was last updated on 04/03/2018

Faculty Member: Professor Eliot Hazeltine

Research Description: My research focuses on the cognitive and neural mechanisms of action and learning. Specific interests include executive control, skill acquisition, and bimanual coordination. Research assistants will gain experience with many lab procedures (e.g., data collection and analysis) and have the opportunity to participate in independent research projects, such as honors theses. Minimum GPA of 3.0 and a two semester commitment are required.

Contact Information: [email protected]

Website: Visit Hazelab Website

This posting was last updated on 03/04/2016

Faculty Member: Professor Andrew Hollingworth

Positions Available: Research Assistant

Research Description: In my lab, we study how vision and memory are used to support intelligent action. Specifically, we study scene perception, working memory, attention, and eye movements, with the goal of understanding how these systems interact to guide behavior. Research assistants will work on laboratory projects: from the development of the research question and experimental design to data collection and analysis. Projects can be independent, including honors theses. Research assistants will gain experience with data collection procedures (e.g., eye tracking) and analysis. Minimum GPA of 3.0 required. Students who have completed Research Methods and Introduction to Cognitive Psychology are preferred, although these courses are not required.

Contact Information: [email protected]

This posting was last updated on 12/02/2019

Faculty Member: Professor Kai Hwang

Positions Available: Volunteering or for-credit research assistant positions are available.

Research Description: The Hwang lab conducts research to understand the neural mechanisms of executive functions. Specifically, we are interested in discovering the neural architecture, processes, and dynamic systems that allow brain networks to select, inhibit, transfer, and integrate information. Together, these mechanisms support many important mental functions, such as attention, working memory, response selection and inhibition. We address our research questions with a comprehensive human neuroscience approach, combining multimodal research methodologies, including fMRI, EEG, TMS, eye tracking and behavioral testing. Research assistants will gain valuable experience with cognitive neuroscience research. Specifically, the research assistant will assist with subject recruitment, behavioral/EEG/TMS/fMRI data collection, quality control of neuroimaging data, and execution of data analyses. If motivated, the applicant will also have the opportunity to learn advanced neuroimaging methods and develop research projects. Assistants are also encouraged to attend regular journal clubs to discuss the most up-to-date scientific literature. Preference will be given to applicants who plan to pursue advanced training in a related area (e.g., PhD in Psychology or Neuroscience). Experience with programming/scripting languages, such as Python or Matlab will be a plus but not required. A two-semester and minimally 6-10 weekly hour commitment is preferred, with the understanding that continued participation beyond 2 semesters is encouraged. Applicants should have a GPA of 3.2 or higher. If interested, please email our lab manager Hannah Morrow ( [email protected] ) with your resume/CV and a letter of interest. Please list relevant courses taken and grades.

Contact Information: [email protected]

Website: Visit Hwang Lab Website

This posting was last updated on 12/13/2022

Faculty Member: Professor Dorit Kliemann

Positions Available: Volunteer or for credit.

Research Description: The Kliemann lab studies the neuroscience of human social behavior, from a basic research perspective, as well as in its applications to disorders, with a special focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and individuals with brain lesions. We are interested in the biological basis of cognition in the brain, especially how the brain compensates and re-organizes. How does variation in brain structure and function lead to intact or impaired social cognition? How can we use insights from neuroimaging to better understand the psychological mechanisms? We use a multimodal approach (including behavioral, eye-tracking, lesion studies, structural and functional MRI) to study brain-cognition-behavior relations that ultimately produce complex social cognition. Responsibilities & Expectations: We are looking for students who have an interest in studying social cognition, and/or possess an interest in working with individuals with autism. Students will have the opportunity to conduct behavioral research, receive training on MRI safety and data acquisition, maintain and update databases, and assist with data processing and analysis. This position is a chance to earn valuable research experience before pursuing graduate degrees in cognitive neuroscience, clinical psychology, or related fields. If you are interested, please submit an application via this form: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_004xa5goF8fVt8F

Contact Information: [email protected]

Website: Visit Kliemann Lab Website

Faculty Member: Professor Grazyna Kochanska

Positions Available: For credit, volunteer, or internship

Research Description: We are currently working on the Children and Parents Study (CAPS), which follows 200 families from infancy to age 4. The goal of CAPS is to learn about many aspects of young children’s social and emotional development. We are particularly interested in how and when very young children begin to comply with their caregivers’ requests and prohibitions, how and when children begin to learn to follow rules, avoid prohibited actions even when unsupervised, and engage in prosocial, desirable behaviors. Responsibilities: Students in this lab have the opportunity to work on a longitudinal study to help collect data during laboratory sessions, code behavioral data from video, and perform preliminary data management. Positions in our laboratory may be particularly interesting and greatly beneficial for students who plan to enter psychology graduate programs or pursue a career with youth (e.g., social work, occupational therapy, speech pathology, pediatric medicine, etc.). Students may have the opportunity to pursue an honors thesis within the lab. Qualifications: GPA of 3.5 is desirable. Applicants must supply two letters of recommendation. Excellent attention to detail, experience with young children, a strong work ethic, and a sense of responsibility are required. Preference is given to students who are available in the summer and can provide a two-semester commitment. To apply, please submit the following application: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8CxQKbrvhVHX713

Website: Visit Child Lab Website

This posting was last updated on 09/01/2021

Faculty Member: Professor Emily Thomas (previously Kroska)

Positions Available:  Undergraduate research assistant - for-credit opportunities preferred.

Research Description:  The THRIVE Lab focuses on clinical health psychology research, including women's health, chronic disease, and the long-term impact of traumatic experiences. The lab examines the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a mindfulness- and acceptance-focused behavioral therapy that seeks to promote psychological flexibility. We have also examined the modifiable therapeutic processes that play a critical role in the long-term consequences associated with traumatic experiences (both adverse and resilient outcomes). We have an ongoing collaborative study with Dr. Demir-Lira’s DEN Lab, wherein we are recruiting pregnant individuals and measuring mental health and neuroconnectivity throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and early childhood. Undergraduate research assistants will have the opportunity to learn how to manage and interact with data. Research assistants may have the opportunity to be trained to conduct structured diagnostic interviews following substantial training. Research assistants will assist with recruitment of and interaction with participants. Exceptional research assistants may complete honors theses or participate in poster presentations or manuscript publications. Undergraduates are expected to attend weekly lab meetings, wherein all lab members will read and discuss empirical articles, and each lab member will lead a discussion of one empirical article each semester. Undergraduates are expected to commit at least 9 hours per week to the lab. Participation in the lab will be strong experience for those applying to graduate or professional programs (e.g., clinical psychology, medical school). Preference given to students who can continue research in the summer. Interested students can find the undergraduate research assistant application at:   https://kroska.lab.uiowa.edu/join-our-lab . A GPA of 3.50 or higher is preferred. All lab members are expected to strictly adhere to ethical standards in research. Other qualifications include: enthusiasm for learning, completion of a research methods and/or statistics course, excellent attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and strong work ethic. Preferred qualifications include: experience working with clinical populations; completion of clinical psychology, abnormal psychology, or laboratory coursework; prior research experience; and experience with statistical software or data management programs. To learn more about the lab, please visit our lab website: https://kroska.lab.uiowa.edu/

Contact Information: Emily Thomas,   [email protected]

This posting was last updated on 10/2023

Faculty Member: Professor Susan Lutgendorf

Positions Available:  For credit.

Research Description:  Our primary research studies relationships between stress, resilience, emotions, and tumor growth in ovarian cancer. We are also involved in studies of pelvic pain. We invite students with backgrounds in Psychology, Health and Human Physiology, and/or Biology or related fields to consider joining our laboratory. Students involved in the lab will help in ongoing projects, and responsibilities may include patient screening and interviewing, immune and other laboratory assays, data management, library research, and web-based activities, depending on the background and interest of the student and the needs of the lab. Students need to have a 3.2 GPA and at least a B+ in their statistics and research methods courses. They should perform well independently, be 100% reliable, and be able to multitask. A two semester commitment is required. Practicum students ordinarily register for three semester hours (9 hours/week of working in the lab, including attending lab meeting which is usually Monday at 4 PM) each semester. This is an excellent opportunity for a student who has an interest in medical school or graduate training in clinical or health psychology. Freshman and sophomores are particularly encouraged to join the lab. We are especially looking for students who will be available over the summer.

Contact Information:  [email protected]; [email protected]

Website:   Visit Lutgendorf Lab Website

Faculty Member: Professor Bob McMurray

Research Description:  Research in the Mechanisms of Audio-visual Categorization Lab (MACLab) examines how people form and use perceptual categories to understand speech. We work with a variety of populations, including children, adults, people with cochlear implants, and people with specific language impairment. Our undergraduate research assistants learn to do language assessments, use computerized eye-tracking, and may have the opportunity to do event-related potentials (ERP) research. Contact us if you're interested in perception, cognition, or development-- we support a wide range of student projects! Priority will be given to students with a strong academic record who can make a two-semester commitment.

Contact Information:   [email protected]

Website:   Visit MACLab Website

This posting was last updated on 04/07/2016

Faculty Member: Professor J. Toby Mordkoff

Research Description:  The Attention & Motor-Perceptual Systems (AMPS) lab is looking for qualified students to work as Research Assistants. We need people who have at least a C grade point average and have completed the Elementary Psychology course. We give preference to those students who have taken 031:016 / PSY:2601 (Introduction to Cognitive Psychology) or 031:121 / PSY:4020 (Lab in Psychology, Cognition and Action with Professor Hazeltine) and/or are already IRB certified. You will gain valuable experience working in a lab that studies both basic and applied information processing, using everything from simple, button-pressing experiments to driving simulations.

Contact Information:   [email protected]

Website:   Visit AMPS Lab Website

This posting was last updated on 08/19/2020

Faculty Member: Professor Molly Nikolas

Research Description:  Research projects in the Iowa ADHD and Development Laboratory focus on identifying the genetic and contextual factors that contribute to the development and persistence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from childhood through adolescence and young adulthood. In addition, we are interested in exploring the relationships between ADHD and co-morbid disorders and how factors such as neuropsychological functioning and temperament/personality may contribute to these patterns of overlap. Research assistants in the laboratory are trained to administer diagnostic and neurocognitive assessments and to collect biological samples for DNA analysis with both child and adult participants. Preference is given to students with a 3.5 GPA or higher who have earned at least a B- in Research Methods and Introduction to Clinical Psychology. Students who are highly organized and detail-oriented are especially encouraged to apply. A minimum of 6 hours per week of work is required for at least 2 semesters.

Contact Information:   [email protected]

Website:   Visit ADHD and Development Lab Website

Faculty Member: Professor Isaac Petersen

Positions Available:  For credit or volunteering initially, but there may be opportunities for paid positions for students who have been in the laboratory for a while and demonstrated their commitment and interest.

Research Description:   What We Study: The Developmental Psychopathology Lab conducts research to understand how children develop behavior problems as well as positive adjustment. We have been particularly interested in externalizing behavior problems, such as aggressive, disruptive, and noncompliant behavior. We focus on the development of self-regulation skills and the consequences of children's self-regulation skills (or deficits) for their school readiness. The goal of our lab is to improve understanding about how children develop behavior problems from a very early age (3-7 years). We focus on the early development of behavior problems to improve the early identification of at-risk children before later, more severe, and more stable behavior problems develop, which may lead to improved intervention and prevention approaches. How We Study It: To study the development of self-regulation and behavior problems, we follow children and families longitudinally over time and we examine multiple levels of analysis, including how biological, psychological, and social-contextual processes relate to the development of behavior problems. For instance, we examine brain development (as measured by EEG/ERP), sleep, stress, parenting, temperament, and language skills in relation to the development of behavior problems. For even more information, please visit our website:  Developmental Psychopathology Lab Expectations, Responsibilities, and Qualifications: Research assistants will gain experience with many lab procedures (e.g., collecting data during child lab visits, data management, and video coding of parent-child interactions). There are also opportunities to complete honors theses for students who are interested and who have been in the lab for a while. Positions in our laboratory may be particularly interesting and greatly beneficial for students who plan to enter graduate programs in clinical psychology or developmental psychology. A two-semester commitment for three credit hours (9 hours/week of working in lab, plus 1 hour weekly lab meeting) each semester is preferred. Experience with young children is highly desirable. Completion of introductory courses in research methods and statistics is desirable but not required. To apply, please submit the following application:  https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6foZRkaDKfsPf49 If you have questions, please contact the Developmental Psychopathology Lab at:  [email protected]

Contact Information:   [email protected]

Website:   Visit Developmental Psychopathology Lab Website

Faculty Member: Professor Jodie Plumert

Positions Available:  For credit initially, although there are sometimes paid positions available for students who have been in the lab for a couple of semesters and who are interested in pursuing graduate work in developmental or cognitive psychology.

Research Description:  Our lab focuses on a broad range of problems in developmental and cognitive psychology. More specifically, we're interested in problems such as how children and adults make decisions and coordinate movements when crossing roads, and how children and adults remember and communicate about where things are. In our work on risky decision making and perceptual-motor coordination, we use immersive bicycling and pedestrian simulators to study how children and adults cross traffic-filled intersections in a virtual environment. This work aims to understand factors that put people at risk for bicycling and pedestrian injuries involving collisions with cars. In our work on spatial memory and communication, we're interested in how people use spatial memory strategies to enhance recall and in how mothers talk to young children about finding things. Minimum GPA of 3.3 required. Please go to our websites to learn more about this research:  https://psychology.uiowa.edu/perceiving-acting-thinking-lab  and  https://psychology.uiowa.edu/hank-virtual-environments-lab .

Contact Information:   [email protected]  OR 319-335-2405

Website:   Visit Perceiving, Acting & Thinking Lab Website

This posting was last updated on 04/09/2018

Faculty Member: Professor Daniel Tranel

Positions Available:  Paid and for-credit positions are available.

Research Description:  The research program investigates the neural correlates of higher-order cognitive and behavioral functions, including memory, language, perception, emotion, and decision-making. The primary approach is neuropsychological, whereby neurological patients with focal brain injuries are studied with standard and experimental cognitive tests, and the findings are related to specific neuroanatomical structures. Functional imaging approaches (fMRI, PET) are also used. Studies of healthy, non-brain-damaged participants are also conducted to collect normative data. Students with a GPA of 3.5 or better, who have completed at least one research methods course and who have some "hard science" background (especially biology and related courses), are preferred.

Contact Information:   [email protected]  OR 319-384-6050

Website:   Visit Tranel Lab Website

This posting was last updated on 03/08/2016

Professor Teresa Treat

Positions Available:  For credit positions available

Research Description:  Research in the Clinical-Cognitive Science lab addresses the role of cognitive processing in psychopathology, with a particular focus on applications in sexual aggression between acquaintances. At this time, we are looking for highly motivated, conscientious, and reliable students for the fall and spring semesters of 2023-2024. A minimum GPA of 3.40 is required, as well as a commitment of two semesters (up to 9 hours in the lab each week, which includes a required 90-minute educational meeting on Friday morning at 9 am). Students with a background in research methods and statistics, as well as interests in pursuing a research-oriented career, are preferred.

Contact Information:   [email protected]

Website:   Visit Clinical-Cognitive Science Lab Website

This posting was last updated on 02/17/2023

Faculty Member: Professor Shaun Vecera

Positions Available:  For credit, with some opportunities for paid positions after students have worked in the lab for a few semesters

Research Description:  My research focuses on the cognitive and neural mechanisms of visual attention. Specific interests include attentional control--how attention knows where to go in a visual scene. Research assistants will gain experience with many lab procedures (e.g., data collection and analysis) and have the opportunity to participate in independent research projects, including honors theses. Minimum GPA of 3.0 and a two semester commitment are required. Students who have completed Research Methods and Introduction to Cognitive Psychology are preferred, although these courses are not required.

Contact Information:   [email protected]

Website:   Visit Visual Cognition Laboratory Website

This posting was last updated on 10/21/2019

Faculty Member: Professor Michelle Voss

Positions Available:  For credit, 2 positions available for pay (hourly rate dependent on experience).

Research Description:  Our research examines the neurobiological mechanisms associated with cognitive aging and age-related neurological diseases, and how to effectively intervene for improved cognition and quality of life. One line of projects focuses on determining the effects of exercise, physical activity, and sedentary behavior on the brain and cognition in young and older adults. Another line of research examines age-related individual differences in the neural mechanisms of skill acquisition and associative memory. We examine neural mechanisms using non-invasive neuroimaging techniques, such as structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We are looking for undergraduates currently enrolled who would like to gain more lab experience, particularly in exercise psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Priority will be given to students who can commit to 2-3 credit hours over at least two semesters. We also have one full-time position open for next academic year. This position requires previous lab experience and a commitment of at least 1 year, and will include responsibilities related to study coordination and recruitment.

Contact Information:   [email protected]  OR 319-335-2057

Website:   Visit HBC Lab Website

Faculty Member: Professor Jan Wessel

Positions Available:  For credit

Research Description:  Our research examines the neural mechanisms that underlie flexible behavior and cognition. We are interested in how humans carry out and maintain goal-directed behaviors; specifically, how the cognitive system resolves challenges to this goal. Common examples of such challenges are unexpected events and action errors. We investigate the dynamic interplay between brain networks that subserve: - The monitoring of the external and internal environment. - The evaluation of action outcomes. - The adaptation of ongoing behavior and cognition in the short and long term. We use a variety of methods to study these questions, including (but not limited to): - Scalp-recorded Electroencephalography (EEG). - Invasive recordings of brain activity (ECoG and DBS-LFP recordings). - Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). - Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). - Computational modeling. - Autonomic psychophysiology. Finally, we study how pathological processes, brain lesions, and (ab)normal aging affect these networks. As a research assistant, you will: - Collect data from behavioral tasks - Recruit research participants - Learn how to collect electroencephalography (brain wave) and other physiological data - Gain valuable research experience for graduate school. To apply, you need to have the following: - GPA 3.0 or higher - Good work ethic and interpersonal skills - Programming experience (MATLAB) preferred but not required

Contact Information:   [email protected]

Website:   Visit CogNeuroLab Website

This posting was last updated on 09/2023

Faculty Member: Professor Paul Windschitl

Research Description:  This lab conducts studies on judgment and decision making. Broadly speaking, the research topics are relevant to social psychology, cognitive psychology, and decision science. We are intrigued with issues of how people seek out, evaluate, and use information for making judgments about the future, choice options, themselves, and other people. We seek to understand how such processes guide decisions and behavior, especially when uncertainty is involved. Many of our studies focus on biases, their causes, and how they can be avoided. This focus makes the research findings relevant across various domains, with a primary example being how our findings are relevant to heath-relevant issues (e.g., encouraging prevention behavior, minimizing risky behavior, making wise treatment selections). Please look around our website to learn more about who we are and what we do. We are looking for highly motivated, conscientious, and reliable students. A minimum GPA of 3.0 and a two-semester commitment are required. There is an application link available on our lab website.

Contact Information:   [email protected]

Website:   Visit Judgment, Decision, & Social Comparison Lab Website

This posting was last updated on 08/02/2022

Opportunity Outside of Psychological and Brain Sciences

Positions Available:  The National Advanced Driving Simulator seeks motivated undergraduate student research assistants for research in transportation human factors. Student research assistants will gain experience with experimental design, data collection and analysis, review of scientific articles, and other aspects of applied experimental research.

Research Description:  The National Advanced Driving Simulator is located on the research park and conducts research on driver behavior and traffic safety. Ongoing research topics include automated vehicles, driver state monitoring (distraction, drowsiness), and advanced safety systems and displays. The research utilizes many driving simulators, including the full-motion NADS-1 simulator (one of the most advanced in the world), along with instrumented and on-road test vehicles. For more information, see:  https://www.nads-sc.uiowa.edu . Interested students should have reliable transportation to and from the facility. Preference will be given to students willing to make a multiple-semester commitment.

Contact Information:  John Gaspar,  [email protected]

Enrollment Options

Research Practicum PSY:3994

Students working as research assistants in the lab of Psychology faculty are able to earn 1-3 semester hours of credit with Research Practicum. Offered only on an S-F basis, this course allows students to gain hands-on research experience while earning psychology credit. All work must be unpaid. Students in the University of Iowa Honors program can earn credit via HONR:3994 Honors Research Practicum.
  Note: Alternatively, students may earn transcript notion for this same type of activity via CCP:1005 Internship in Liberal Arts (see description in Volunteer/Internship Opportunities section).

Advanced Research Practicum PSY:3995

This course offers students the opportunity to earn 1-3 semester hours of graded credit by working as a research assistant within the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.  Students must have two semesters enrollment in Research Practicum before enrolling in Advanced Practicum.  It is expected that students enrolled in Advanced Practicum will engage in more independent work than students enrolled in Research Practicum.  Additionally, a writing component is expected with enrollment in Advanced Practicum.   

Honors Thesis Researc h   PSY:4990

This course allows students to earn 1-3 sh of graded academic credit for working on their honors thesis project.  Students can enroll in this course more than once, however, enrollment is not required for graduation with honors in the major. 

NOTICE: The University of Iowa Center for Advancement is an operational name for the State University of Iowa Foundation, an independent, Iowa nonprofit corporation organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, publicly supported charitable entity working to advance the University of Iowa. Please review its full disclosure statement.

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Research assistant opportunities.

For additional research opportunities beyond those listed below, please see the AURA (Access to Undergraduate Research Activities) webpage.

Domestic Violence, Motivation, and Addiction Research Among Women in the Court Setting

Supervisor: Diane Morse, MD (Department of Psychiatry) Recruitment is ongoing

We currently have a series of research projects available for ambitious undergraduate students that involve qualitative analysis, data entry, grant writing, participant recruitment, and physical and mental health in underserved female populations. Subsequently, there will be some quantitative data analysis and intervention fidelity assessment as well. Most of our research relates to domestic violence, motivation, and addiction in the court and clinical settings among justice-involved women.

Interns will engage with research staff, healthcare providers, community health workers, and research subjects to assist the efforts of the Women’s Initiative Supporting Health (W.I.S.H.) program, which is directed by Diane S. Morse, MD and housed within the Department of Psychiatry. Ideally, the internship would be 10-15 hours weekly, which could be flexible during exam or school break times. There is also the option of working with us for 4-hour course credit or during the summer. Opportunities for authorship on presentations and clinical experience are available to highly motivated individuals.

Educational benefits include relevant training, weekly literature reviews, and mentorship for graduate school/medical school applications. A two-semester commitment is required. Apply 3 months in advance minimum.

Contact: Dr. Diane Morse, [email protected], (585) 275-6484

Families, Achievement Motivation, & Identity (FAM&I) Research Lab

Supervisor: Nestor B. Tulagan, PhD Recruitment is ongoing for this project.

Want to do research on the positive development and family assets of racially/ethnically minoritized teens? Join the FAM & I Lab!

We investigate how minoritized teens learn to flourish in today’s world in terms of their psychological wellbeing, racial/ethnic and gender identity formation, and academic motivation and achievement. In line with our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the FAM&I Lab purposefully uses strength-based theories and research approaches to understand the power of racially/ethnically minoritized families and youth.

Our new projects include understanding (a) how minoritized adolescents (ages 10-20) form and think about their racial/ethnic, gender, and academic identities in integrated ways; (b) how minoritized families support teens in their identity development, achievement, and overall psychological wellbeing; (c) how emerging adults (ages 18-24) conceptualize what it means to be successful, happy, and thriving; and (d) how developmental assets within minoritized youth and families help protect them from the negative effects of racial discrimination and racism.

As a research assistant, you will gain fundamental research skills like conducting interviews and surveys, managing large-scale datasets, as well as professional skills like verbal and written communication and project management. You can also learn about graduate school and possible next steps in your career!

We are looking for intellectually curious and responsible research assistants who can commit 10-15 hours per week for a minimum of 2 semesters. Students can earn up to 4 credits per academic semester for their work on this project by enrolling in PSYC 395 (“Independent Research”).

If interested, please fill out our Research Assistant Interest Form:  https://forms.gle/CDRXpA6wZzpWUfa67

Contact: Nestor Tulagan, PhD, [email protected]

Internalizing Disorder and Emotional Adjustment Lab

Supervisor: Lisa R. Starr, PhD Recruitment is ongoing for this project

Come join a fun, friendly, collaborative research lab!

Research assistants are wanted for research examining the etiology and consequences of depression and anxiety disorders in adolescence and adulthood in the Starr Lab. RAs will gain valuable research and clinical experience and will have the opportunity to be involved in the lab in a variety of ways: we ask our RAs to do everything from administrative tasks to performing literature reviews to conducting participant visits.

We are looking for highly motivated, conscientious students with strong interpersonal skills and plenty of excitement about research on depression and related topics. This experience is particularly well-suited for students interested in eventually pursuing graduate studies in clinical psychology or a related field.

You can learn more about our labs interests and projects at our website psych.rochester.edu/research/starrlab . To apply, click on the "Join Us!" tab on our website and fill out an online application. Questions can be directed to [email protected] .

Contact: Starr Lab, [email protected]

Minds in the Social World (MiSo) Lab

Supervisor: Isobel A. Heck, PhD We are currently not recruiting RAs. Please check back in the summer.

Come and join the MiSo Lab team! We investigate young children’s thinking about the social world. General research themes include: (1) the inputs and mechanisms through which young children learn about social groups hierarchies and structures (2) the early roots of leadership cognition and sociopolitical thought; and (3) the routes through which young children become involved in societal and political systems. We work with kids ages 3-12 years old and their parents, and our methodology includes conducting fun, story-based “study game” experiments. As a research assistant, you will gain valuable experience in and exposure to a variety of research components including: participating in research meetings; assisting with data collection, entry, organization, and analysis; and conducting literature reviews.

We are seeking hard-working and conscientious undergraduate students who can commit 10-15 hours per week for a minimum 2 semester commitment. Students can receive up to four credits by enrolling in PSYC 391 (“Independent Study”) during academic semesters. Our team shares a commitment to equity and transparency in both our research projects and lab culture. For more information about our team and research, check out our website:  https://bit.ly/miso-lab

Contact: Nicole Park, [email protected]

Mt. Hope Family Center

Supervisors: Liz Handley, PhD; Sheree Toth, PhD Recruitment is ongoing

The Mt. Hope Family Center is an internationally recognized Center for leading edge research on child maltreatment. Our team of psychologists, researchers, and clinicians work together to help improve the lives of children and families who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect, or trauma. Our work includes a number of large-scale federally funded research projects, as well as federally and locally funded clinical service. As such we are seeking hard-working and conscientious undergraduate students to join our team.

Research Assistant (RA) responsibilities may include participating in research meetings, and assisting with data collection, entry, and organization. We are looking for undergraduate RAs who can commit approximately 10-15 hours per week and can make a 2 semester commitment either for course credit or as a volunteer. Interested students should contact Stephanie Capobianco.

Contact: Stephanie Capobianco, [email protected]

Project BRIDGE: Parents & Teens

Supervisors: Melissa Sturge-Apple, PhD; Patrick Davies, PhD Recruitment is ongoing for this project

Project BRIDGE is a multidisciplinary study that examines parent-child relationships in early adolescence. Data collection has ended, but we are currently seeking research assistants to conduct coding in either observational or narrative systems. Students can receive up to four credits during academic semesters and an optional seminar component is available for students who wish to learn more about the implications and general theories of the project.

For more information, or to receive an application, please visit our web site at  www.RochesterFamilyResearch.org .

Contact: Melissa Sturge-Apple, PhD, [email protected]

Project FLIGHT

Supervisor: Melissa Sturge-Apple, PhD Recruitment is ongoing

Project FLIGHT is a multidisciplinary study that examines how interparental conflict influences interactions within the parent-child relationship. We are currently seeking research assistants to conduct observational coding of child assessments. Students can earn up to four credits by enrolling in PSY 391 during academic semesters. In addition, an optional seminar component is available for students who wish to learn more about the implications and general theories of the project.

For more information, please visit our website at:  https://www.psych.rochester.edu/MHFC/researchers/current-studies/flight/ .

Contact: Elisa de la Fuente, [email protected]

Project PROMISE

Supervisors: Sheree Toth, PhD; Jody Todd Manly, PhD Recruitment is ongoing

Project PROMISE is a study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development led by Dr. Sheree Toth and Dr. Jody Todd Manly. PROMISE is a Community Partnered Participatory Research project with a clinical intervention that will follow pregnant moms and their infants until their child is 15 months old. PROMISE partners with community health programs that work with pregnant women and their babies in under-served populations to address barriers to care and social determinates of health. Some PROMISE families receive Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) through PROMISE. CPP is an evidence-based preventative therapy that is shown to improve parent-child relationships, prevent child maltreatment, and result in more sensitive parenting and healthier child development. Project PROMISE uses self-report measures, research interviews, observational paradigms, biological measures of stress, and birth outcomes to better understand who can benefit from CPP, when CPP is most effective, and, if under resource constraints, if a shorter therapeutic window can be helpful.

Interested undergraduate research assistants will be responsible for assisting with visits, entering and checking data, childcare, and transcription, with opportunities for remote work. Interns will commit to at least 8 hours per week, and at least 2 semesters, with the possibility to continue in subsequent semesters.

Internship opportunities with Project PROMISE focus on interns gaining applicable skills to their future interests and professional development. This internship is fit for students interested in child development, infancy and pregnancy, maternal and infant health, clinical psychology, and/or developmental psychology, who wish to gain research experience, and hope to grow under a Research Assistant mentor system.

Students can earn up to 4 credit hours per semester for their work on this project by enrolling in PSYC 391.

Contact: Project PROMISE, [email protected], (585) 275-2991 x233

Project THRIVE

Supervisor: Patrick Davies, PhD Recruitment is ongoing

Project THRIVE is a study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development led by Dr. Patrick Davies. We are interested in understanding how and why constructive family relationships and forms of conflict increase children's mental health and well-being during the preschool and early elementary school years. Through questionnaires, interaction tasks with family members, interviews, games with children, and physiological measures (eyetracking, EKG, and cortisol analysis), we hope to better understand the mechanisms and pathways linking interparental and parent-child relationships with children's psychological adjustment.

Interested undergraduate research assistants will be responsible for assisting with visits recording tasks, data uploading, coding, childcare, and recruitment. There will also be opportunities for professional development and research presentations. Interns will be required to dedicate up to 10 hours a week to their internship, which includes time at Mount Hope as well as related outside work, such as assigned readings.

The commitment to our project has a two semester minimum, with a possibility to continue in subsequent semesters. The internship opportunity with Project THRIVE focuses on the intern gaining applicable skills to their future interests and developing as a professional. This internship is fit for students who have interests in child development, family interactions, and/or developmental psychopathology, wish to gain research experience, and hope to grow as a professional under a Research Assistant mentor system.

Students can earn up to 4 credit hours per semester for their work on this project by enrolling in either PSY377 or PSY391.

Contact: Meera Patel, [email protected], (585) 275-2991 x 195

Research in Multiple Areas of Social Psychology

Supervisor: Miron Zuckerman, PhD Recruitment is ongoing

Research assistants are needed for research on psychology of religion and social cognition. Assistants help with a wide variety of tasks and are encouraged to get involved at every level of the research process.

Contact: Miron Zuckerman, PhD, [email protected]

Research on Achievement and Social Motivation

Supervisor: Andrew J. Elliot, PhD Recruitment is ongoing

We conduct research on why people behave the way they do in achievement situations (e.g., school, sports, work) and social situations. Our lab is quite diverse, usually comprising visiting professors and post-doctoral students from around the globe, as well as graduate students and undergraduate research assistants from the UR. 

We are always looking for interested, hard-working undergraduates to participate in all phases of the research process, beginning with data collection (subject running) and moving toward more full collaboration (including honor's theses and other writing projects).

Contact: Andrew Elliot, [email protected]

Research on Social Interaction and Close Relationships

Supervisor: Harry Reis, PhD Recruitment is ongoing

We conduct research on social interaction and close relationships. We welcome participation by students as research assistants.

Typically, students may expect to conduct any or all of several activities, including running experimental sessions, supervising Internet-based protocols, interviewing participants, coding open-ended responses, and data entry.

Contact: Harry Reis, [email protected]

School and Community Based Prevention Program

Supervisor: Peter A. Wyman, PhD Recruiting is ongoing for this project.

Our research group focuses on developing and testing preventive interventions that prepare members of a population as ‘change agents’ to disseminate health in their social networks. We are currently testing interventions for in secondary schools for suicide prevention (Sources of Strength), substance use prevention (Above the Influence) and in military populations (Wingman-Connect). . These programs leverage the power of peer group social networks to strengthen skills for healthy coping, rising above negative influences, and building positive friendships and social connections. Our work is at the intersection of behavioral science, social network methods, training, and use of technology (e.g., text messaging) to extend the impact of intervention activities delivered in person.

Opportunities for undergraduate interns include working on a large New York State-funded project to disseminate the Sources of Strength suicide prevention program to schools in several regions. This project includes collecting data from each school on students’ participation and engagement in the program and preparing valuable school reports for each site to inform their work. Our team supports student teams and adults in the schools to implement messaging activities aimed at changing the norms that young people hold about getting through hard times and connecting with trusted adults for help. Our group is also launching a new NIH funded study to evaluate Above the Influence with a focus on reducing vaping. We are completing evaluation of a peer-led mental health promotion program we created for the USAF for airmen in training, with hopes to expand to other sites in the AF. We are looking to adapt this program possibly in other branches of the military or in a law enforcement environment.

Our team is excited to welcome an undergraduate intern who is enthusiastic about learning about conducting community-based research. Our interns are essential in helping us with the everyday tasks of conducting multi-site studies. They are welcome to join us during school trainings and school assessment periods when they have a full day open in their schedule. We welcome initiative, independence and inquisitiveness, while taking the responsibility to orient you and familiarize you with our work even through the small everyday support tasks.

Intern responsibilities:

• Survey and program implementation preparation—gathering and organizing supplies needed for school assessments or training; preparing mailings to schools/parents; improving program materials
• Data entry and analysis—gaining familiarity with online databases and survey tools
• Community involvement—opportunities to be involved in the field with trainings and surveys (your schedule permitting; not available in summer)
• Scholarly work support—preparing literature reviews; summarizing articles
• Accountability, accuracy and enthusiasm—our interns are responsible to arrive in a timely fashion, give us advanced notice regarding schedule changes and be focused while at internship
• Effective communication—interns are encouraged to inform us of their talents and goals and to communicate their struggles and needs.

If you are interested in learning more about the Sources of Strength program, please visit www.Sourcesofstrength.org .

Flexible schedule (4-8 hours per week). Close location (UR Medical Center). Learn about intervention research. Generally conducts interviews for internships in late March/April (for summer and fall positions), November, and sometimes August.

Contact: Karen Schmeelk-Cone, [email protected], (585) 275-6428

Social Development and Family Processes Lab

Supervisor: Judith Smetana, PhD Recruiting for Spring 2024 in late Fall 2023

Social Development and Family Processes Lab is looking for psychology majors who want to gain research experience in our lab. Students will assist with several ongoing research projects studying social and moral development with young children and adolescents.

RA opportunities include:

• Assisting with data collection in research with children and adolescents
• Participating in data preparation, coding, and/or analysis
• Learning about different research methods and becoming familiar with the research literature

During the spring semester, students participating in the lab will enroll in Psyc 357. They will earn four credits for the academic semester, requiring 12 hours/week of responsibilities, including attending weekly lab meetings. Students with flexible schedules with some daytime availability for data collection, a strong work ethic, and experience working with young children are preferred.

Contact: Esther Li, [email protected]

The Laboratory for Innovations in Child Mental Health Care Delivery

Supervisor: Linda Alpert-Gillis, PhD and Karyn Hartz-Mandell, PhD Summer and Fall 2024 positions have been filled. Anticipated openings for Summer 2025.

Description : The Laboratory for Innovations in Child Mental Health Care Delivery is based in the Child and Adolescent Division of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The research group has active research projects that focus on the development and evaluation of services within all settings in which intervention services are provided.

Current projects include : UR Supporting Our Students: Strengthening School Mental Health Staff Response to the Mental Health needs of Teens; Needs-based assessment for integrated behavioral health within Specialty Pediatrics; Evaluation of a school-based mental health program; Evaluation of an Evidence-Based and Assessment Treatment Seminar attended by mental health providers; Ongoing evaluation of progress monitoring tools in the Child and Adolescent Outpatient Service.

Undergraduates also have the opportunity to participate in clinically oriented activities, including shadowing psychologists for individual or group therapy, observing diagnostic clinic, and conducting phone interviews with potential patients. Selected research assistants participate in a 4 credits independent study course that requires 10 hours/week of responsibilities. Non-credit summer opportunities are also available.

Please send a letter of interest and a resume to: [email protected] and [email protected] .

Contact: Dr. Linda Alpert-Gillis, [email protected] and Dr. Karyn Hartz-Mandell, [email protected]

Department of Psychology

• Research Assistantships

About PSY 4001 - Research Assistant

PSY 4001 - Research Assistant (1-3) is a course offered to allow students the opportunity to receive Academic Credit for working in Faculty members' research labs. This is a supervised experience in which the student does psychological research on a faculty member’s project under their direction. 

The course may be repeated for a total of six credit hours, earning 1, 2, or 3 credits a semester. Faculty members prefer research assistants capable of participating in their lab for at least 2-3 semesters consecutively.

This course counts towards the Doing Psychology requirement.

Graded on an S/U basis.

How to Earn PSY 4001 Credit

Students must first be approved by a faculty member for their lab as a research assistant. Please view the links below to see what our faculty are currently doing to seek out those that research topics interest you most. Almost all faculty currently teaching are engaged in research and accepting Research Assistants; Reach out to them to see what opportunities are available.

List of current research labs here . 

Read about our faculty research interests here .

After being accepted to the lab, you must work with the faculty member to complete the required forms to have the course added. Submission of the required forms is done electronically via ASU email. 

Required Forms:

Special Course Form (linked to Fillable PDF)

Research Assistant Agreement (same as above) 

These forms are fillable PDFs, best completed utilizing Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is offered for FREE through App State. Please use this link to learn how to download the reader. https://confluence.appstate.edu/display/ATKB/Adobe+Creative+Cloud

Steps to Electronically Submit the Paperwork

Physical paperwork is no longer accepted. 

Student fills in all applicable information on both forms

Student emails the completed forms to the faculty member they will be supervised by

The faculty member will process the forms and submit them for final approval

After the successful submission of the forms, the student will receive an email stating the department has received the forms, and then one more email when they are approved. 

If the paperwork is not received AND approved by the departmental deadline, 5 PM on the final day of the Add/Drop Period, the student will not be able to earn academic credit for PSY 4001 that semester.

For questions regarding PSY 4001,  please email  [email protected]