Undergraduate students are invited to apply for research assistant positions in the Relationships Lab. We have an average of 25 -30 undergraduate research assistants working in the lab throughout the year for credit in one of two courses:
Research in Psychology (Psy 85-805)
Research Training in Social Psychology (Psy 85-198)
Students may register for these courses for the fall, spring, or summer sessions. See below for more information.
Research in Psychology (Psy 85-805)
Research Training in Social Psychology (Psy 85-198)
Students may register for these courses for the fall, spring, or summer sessions. See below for more information.
Who should consider becoming a Research Assistant?
- You are interested in gaining research experience
- You are considering going to graduate school in Psychology
- You are considering a career in research
- You might want to do an honors thesis in social psychology
What qualifications must RAs have?
- You must be motivated, reliable, and committed to being a part of the research team
- It is not necessary to have prior research experience (we will train you)
- You must be performing well in their other courses
- You must be able to work in the lab for a minimum of 9 hours per week
When can students join the lab as research assistants and how long do they stay?
- Students are welcome to join the lab from the time they are freshmen
- You may join the lab for two semesters or more
- Some Research Assistants have stayed in the lab through their entire college education
- Students who have worked in the lab will be given priority for conducting honors theses in their senior year
What does a Research Assistant do in the lab?
RAs work in the lab as research apprentices, meaning that you get actual, hands-on experience by assisting with ongoing projects in the lab.
Research Assistants assist with one or more of the following:
Research Assistants assist with one or more of the following:
- experimenting and data collection
- observational research methods and behavioral coding
- physiological research methods and interpretation
- editing physiological data using Mindware Technologies software
- using SPSS for data management and data analysis
- study design and material preparation
- data analysis
- presenting of research
- attending lab meetings to discuss projects and related research
How do I join the lab?
- Complete an application and email it to Shelby Parsons (Lab Manager)
- Once Shelby receives your email with the attached application, she will contact you to schedule an interview.
- Phone: 412.268.8109
What other opportunities are available to undergraduate RAs who are conducting their honors thesis?
- RAs may apply for Small Undergraduate Research Grants
- RAs may apply for Undergraduate Research Summer Fellowships
- RAs may present their research at the Meeting of the Minds, the undergrad research symposium
- For more information about these opportunities, please visit the Undergraduate Research Office