Psych Scoop, 6/25/19

June 25th, 2019

The Psych Scoop is sent to all Psychology Undergraduate students and alumni every Tuesday throughout the academic school year. Share your news with psyadvis@umn.edu!

Courses of Interest

1. Fall 2019- EPSY 5157: Social and Developmental Psychology of Education - 3 Credits

Social and developmental psychology provide underpinnings for a range of methods for conducting research in real-world settings. They also lay conceptual foundations for understanding a range of social and developmental processes. The course will cover a full range of topics within social and developmental psychology, plus selected topics in personality psychology, and examine their implications for understanding and structuring educational and other professional settings. Discussions will include a strong focus on educator and practitioner applications of the research.

Graduate students, as well as upper-level undergraduate students, are encouraged to enroll.

EPSY 5157 meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 pm- 2:15 pm

Peik Hall 335

Instructor: Martin Van Boekel (contact at vanbo024@umn.edu)

Note: this course does not count as an elective in the Psychology majors or minors.

Research

2. *Credit or Volunteer* Research on Longitudinal Study of Resilience in Military Service Members RA Position

The Readiness and Resilience in National Guard Soldiers (RINGS) research lab, under the direction of Drs. Melissa Polusny and Drs. Christopher Erbes at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, is looking for research assistants! The current longitudinal study examines processes contributing to resilience in military personnel. Research assistants who join the RINGS lab will receive extensive training and gain hands-on experience conducting a large cohort study that utilizes evidence-based longitudinal tracking and survey methods. Duties include recruiting soldiers to participate and collecting baseline data at National Guard armories on Saturdays/Sundays, conducting participant outreach and follow-up calls, conducting eligibility screenings for lab visits, data entry, attending lab meetings, and assisting lab technicians with lab visits. In collaboration with Drs. Scott Sponheim, Nick Davenport, and Shmuel Lissek (co-investigators on this project), research assistants may also gain experience with the collection of electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data in conjunction with cognitive tests, interview-based assessments of symptoms, and questionnaires. This is a volunteer position and requires an 8-10 hour per week commitment. Students can receive research credit for the course PSY 4993. Preference will be given to students who are available in the summer and fall, and those able to make a multiple-semester commitment. Start date is June 2019. Successful candidates must have a valid SSN (required to work on-site at the VA). Those with experience working with veterans or the military may be given priority. To apply, send an email with “RINGS RA Position” in the subject line to the project coordinator, Shelly Hubbling at michelle.hubbling@va.gov. Include your name, email, class year, and reasons for applying in the body of email, and attach your resume/CV and copies of your unofficial transcripts. For more information about the study, please visit the ARMOR Project website.

3. *Credit or Volunteer* Research Assistant positions available in the DSCN Lab

The Developmental Social Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, directed by Drs. Stephanie M. Carlson and Philip D. Zelazo, is looking for undergraduate research assistants for the summer. Research assistants in our lab have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of the research process, from recruiting families to coding data and running sessions with children. Research in our lab broadly examines the development of executive functions – the set of neurocognitive skills that allow for flexible, goal-directed behavior. Current projects are exploring the role of executive functions in children’s creativity, how children’s executive function is related to their learning, the role of cognitive skills in preventing emotional responses, and how Head Start interventions help improve parent and child executive function skills. Research assistant positions are available both for directed research credit (CPSY 4994) and on a volunteer basis. For most studies, preference is given to students who are willing to commit at least 6 hours per week and who are interested in continuing to work in the lab during subsequent semesters. Interested students should apply on our website or email childlab@umn.edu for an application.

4. *Credit* Research on Personality Predictors of College Performance

Samuel Lee and Dr. Nathan Kuncel are looking for an undergraduate research assistant (UGRA) during the summer and fall, with the possibility of continuing into the spring semester. The project is a meta-analysis of personality predictors of academic performance. As a UGRA, one can expect to spend the majority of time reading and coding studies for the analysis. We ask that UGRAs register for PSY 4993/5993 Directed Research. UGRAs are expected to commit to an average of 8-9 hours per week and attend regular meetings with team members. To apply, please contact Samuel Lee at Leex7833@umn.edu. Include your name, expected graduation date, GPA, reasons for applying, and all relevant psychology and research methods coursework. Include “Research Assistant Position” in the subject line. Please also attach your resume.

5. *Credit or Volunteer* Studying Individual Differences in Opioid Use Disorder

We are looking for volunteers who are interested in investigating how different factors contribute differently per individual to the vulnerability to become and remain addicted to drugs in opioid use disorder. Anna Zilverstand, Ph.D. is the lab Principal Investigator and a faculty of Psychiatry. Her lab is part of the UMN MDT addiction team, which offers a multidisciplinary research environment with collaborators in different departments. We employ neuroimaging, behavioral testing, questionnaires, and interviews to study our participants and are looking for volunteers from science, health-related, computer-science or technology fields to become involved. Tasks that you could work on (based on your personal background and experience) include, but are not limited to preparation of 4-second video clips as task stimuli, programming tasks in Psychopy/Matlab, data management in MySQL, behavioral data analysis in Matlab/R/SPSS/SAS, neuroimaging analysis on the UMN CMRR and MSI compute servers, e.g. using Python, FSL, AFNI, SPM, CONN, ANACONDA, nipype, fmriprep, singularity, and literature searches. If you are interested in becoming involved in any of the above tasks, please contact Anna Zilverstand at annaz@umn.edu. Please include your CV and a few sentences explaining your motivation to apply.

6. *Credit or Volunteer* Research Assistant Position

The Minnesota Aging & Technology Lab (MINTECH) is currently looking for new Research Assistants. The volunteer position supports the execution of research projects in the VA Geriatric Research Education & Clinical Center (GRECC) under Dr. Adriana Seelye, which contribute to national efforts to understand cognition and daily functioning in normal aging and prodromal Alzheimer’s disease and to develop and evaluate innovative technologies for cognitive assessment and patient support. Research assistant duties include entering behavioral and neuropsychological test data into the REDCap study database, verifying accuracy of data entered, assisting the study coordinator and PI with recruiting research volunteers, determining eligibility, facilitating study enrollment, making telephone calls to research volunteers, participating in regulatory compliance (IRB, HIPAA training), and attending weekly lab meetings. There are also opportunities to learn and administer assessments to research volunteers depending on one’s interest, time commitment, and skill level. Due to the training burden, Dr. Seelye expects research assistants to commit to at least 9 hours per week to the lab (internship for credit) and to start in June or any time after. Interested parties should send a cover letter addressing qualifications, a current resume or CV that includes any relevant psychology or research methods coursework and current GPA, and a list with the names and email addresses of at least 2 references who can address the applicant's qualifications for the position. Questions should be addressed to Jessica Klinger at jklinger@umn.edu or Kurt Benckendorf at kbencken@umn.edu.

7. *Credit or Volunteer* The Minneapolis VA Medical Center is looking for Research Assistants

Dr. Scott Sponheim is looking for volunteer research assistants to work in the Cognition And Brain in Psychopathology lab at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Dr. Sponheim’s primary research interests are in understanding how genetic risk for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are expressed in the brain and in investigating the neurologic effects of traumatic brain injury and stress disorders in combat-exposed military service members. Primarily, we use electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetoencephalography (MEG) in conjunction with cognitive tests, interview-based assessments of symptoms, and questionnaires. Responsibilities may include assisting with participant recruitment, screening, scheduling, cognitive assessment and questionnaire administration, and data entry. This opportunity is eligible for PSY 4993 credit. We require a commitment of at least 10 hours per week, and those able to make a multiple-semester commitment will be given priority. Successful candidates typically have a 3.5 GPA or higher, have junior or senior level credits, and may have an interest in pursuing a higher degree in psychology or related fields. If you are interested, please send a copy of your unofficial transcripts, cover letter, and resume to the study coordinator, Elijah Lahud at ejlahud@gmail.com.

Scholarships

8. Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarships

Any undergraduate Psi Chi member who will be or is enrolled in a psychology or psychology related major for the upcoming Fall 2019 semester who has not previously received a Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarship and will be able to use the full $3,000 by June 30, 2020, is eligible to apply. Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarship recipients are chosen based on Psi Chi activity, personal qualities consistent with Psi Chi's Mission, financial need, and academic excellence. The application deadline is July 5th. Fill out the application on the website.

9. Sharon S. Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships

The Sharon S. Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships will recognize outstanding psychology undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. The Brehm Scholarships will help defray the students’ direct educational costs (e.g. tuition, institutional fees, required textbooks, etc.). This funding will be available for the Spring 2020 semester. Please review eligibility requirements and how to apply on the website. The deadline is July 1st, 2019.

Resources

10. Diversity in Psychology Program - University of Minnesota

Our Diversity in Psychology Program is designed for individuals who are historically underrepresented in psychology graduate programs and who are interested in learning about graduate education in Psychology at the University of Minnesota. Although the event is sponsored by the Department of Psychology, we also accept applications from individuals with interests in the Institute of Child Development and Department of Educational Psychology. This program will feature a coordinated set of formal and informal experiences designed to familiarize participants with strategies for constructing successful graduate school applications and to provide them with the opportunity to learn more about the experience of graduate education in our departments. Find eligibility and application on our website. You can email psyapply@umn.edu with questions. The application deadline is August 23rd, 2019 at 5:00 pm.

Engagement

11. Summer 2019 Internship with Growth & Justice

We are currently piloting a new program called Policy Bytes. Policy Bytes interviews thought leaders regarding their support for competing policy proposals and facilitates a dialogue that clearly describes both common ground and areas of disagreement. This content is published widely in order to inform the public deliberation on complex public policy. Students with a background/interest in journalism/political science/public policy/sociology are encouraged to apply. This position is for the Summer of 2019 as well as Fall 2019, 12 hours per week (flexible with remote work possible). Growth & Justice will provide a strong structure including feedback, mentorship, and networking opportunities to those interested. See job responsibilities on GoldPASS. Email matt@growthandjustice.org with your cover letter and resume to apply.

Jobs/Internship Opportunities

IMPORTANT: Organizations listed below are not necessarily affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Psychology or Psychology Undergraduate Advising. Please exercise the same discretion you would in viewing any other source.

12. Full-time Clinical Interviewer position at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center

Dr. Scott Sponheim is looking for a full-time Clinical Interviewer to work in the Cognition And Brain in Psychopathology lab at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. This individual will assist in the collaborative work between Dr. Sponheim and the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC) as we investigate long-term neurologic effects of traumatic brain injury and stress disorders in combat-exposed military service members. Primarily, we use electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in conjunction with extensive cognitive testing and interview-based assessment of trauma exposure and symptoms. Responsibilities will include administration of neuropsychological assessments and clinical interviews, participant recruitment and eligibility screening, and data scoring/entry as needed. Additionally, the opportunity exists to work in neuroimaging data collection (MRI or EEG) and will be determined on an individual basis. This position is only available to citizens of the United States, and individuals currently holding a 4-year degree. Successful candidates typically have an academic background in psychology or related sciences and a 3.5 GPA or higher. The preferred candidate has experience working with military veteran populations and administering clinical or neuropsychological assessments. If you are interested, please send a copy of your cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts to the study coordinator, Elijah Lahud at ejlahud@gmail.com.

13. ACR Homes

ACR Homes is hiring psychology students to become Direct Care Professionals! Get some experience this summer or save a spot for the fall! You would work in a home setting alongside a co-worker to care for 4 people who have disabilities (amazing 1:2 ratio). You will get the chance to gain direct patient care hours by caring for the medical, emotional, and physical needs of the residents as well as enjoying fun activities with them on your shifts. ACR is VERY flexible for students, pays starting up to $15 per hour, offers paid training, we have locations near campus, and you don't even need to have a car! We even offer custom research based INTERNSHIPS that end with a letter of recommendation from our CEO who is a licensed psychologist. Contact Kayla Wildes at wilde177@umn.edu if you are interested in applying!

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