Psych Scoop, 7/31/18
July 31st, 2018
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
1. PSY 3896: Internship in Psychology (3 credits - Elective)
If you are planning to complete or interested in an Internship during Fall 2018 semester, you may be eligible to sign up for PSY 3896: Internship in Psychology (3 credits to count toward PSY Major Elective credit). In addition to your Internship Hours (average 6-8 hours/week for 15 weeks at your site).
PSY 3896 class meets weekly, Thursdays 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Elliott Hall N227
Instructor: Dr. Amy Landers
Please email psyadvis@umn.edu for more information and any questions about this opportunity!
2. PSY 3960 Undergrad Seminar: Careers in Psychology (1 credit - Elective)
Interested in exploring the vast career options in the field of Psychology? This fall's PSY 3960 course is an introduction to different career paths associated with an undergraduate degree in psychology (BA or BS). Students will gain an understanding of the major strengths and skills developed though study in psychology and how those strengths and skills can be applied in many different career settings. Emphasis will be placed both on careers that require further schooling (e.g., Ph.D, Master's) and careers that do not. The course format will feature guest speakers from a variety of careers and a final project in which the students conduct an in-depth investigation of a career path of their choice.
PSY 3960 class meets weekly, Tuesdays 10:10am - 11:00am
Elliott Hall N119
Instructor: Michael Houlahan
Please email psyadvis@umn.edu for more information and any questions about this opportunity!
3. PSY 5960- 002: Coding for Psychology Majors (3 credits - Elective)
The goal of this course is to teach advanced undergraduate and first-year graduate students how to program computers for use in Psychology. The basics of programming will be covered first, followed by construction of computer-based experiments, and analysis of psychological data. No experience in programming is required, but general computer literacy is helpful, as are knowledge of experimental design and data analysis.
PSY 5960-002 class meets weekly, Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:30pm - 3:45pm
Elliott Hall N391
Instructor: Dr. Steven Engel
Please email psyadvis@umn.edu for more information and any questions about this opportunity!
Resources
4. Diversity in Psychology Program - University of Minnesota
October 10-12, 2018
Cost: Travel, Housing, and Meals are Provided for all attendees
The Diversity in Psychology Program is designed for individuals who are historically under- represented in psychology graduate programs and who are interested in learning about graduate training in the Department of Psychology, as well as graduate training in Child Development and Educational/School Psychology, at the University of Minnesota. The 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 department.
The deadline for receipt of these materials is Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 5 pm (CST). Applications will be reviewed over the next two weeks and selection notifications will be sent in early September. Due to the short time frame, invited applicants will have one week to accept the invitation. For more information, visit our website.
5. The Diversity Recruitment Weekend - University of Michigan
October 25-27, 2018
Cost: Travel, Housing, and Meals are Provided for all attendees
The Diversity Recruitment Weekend provides undergraduate students from around the country with information about graduate school in psychology. The Diversity Recruitment Weekend consists of a series of workshops, panel discussions, and individual meetings specifically designed to prepare students for the graduate admissions process in psychology as well as introduce students to the graduate psychology programs at the University of Michigan. The Diversity Recruitment Weekend will include sessions on writing a successful statement for graduate school, strategies for gaining research experience, and what constitutes a strong application. Students will also have an opportunity to meet individually with faculty and graduate students at the University of Michigan who share similar research interests. Finally, students will receive an intensive overview of all of the graduate programs in psychology offered at the University of Michigan.
The Diversity Recruitment Weekend is absolutely FREE. The University of Michigan will cover the cost of accepted students’ travel to and from Ann Arbor as well as students’ hotel accommodations and meals during the Recruitment Weekend. The program begins on the morning of Friday, October 26 and will continue until noon on Saturday, October 27, 2018. As a result, students will need to arrive in Ann Arbor by the evening of Thursday, October 25 and will return home on the afternoon of Saturday, October 27. Interested students should complete the application form by the deadline of August 20, 2018.
6. Healthy Communities: Broadening the Lens of Healthcare, Equity, and Policy
Tuesday, August 7th, 9:00 am- 4:00 pm
Location: St. Catherine University
Cost: FREE
Join us for a conversation about the health of Minnesota communities. Representatives from non-profits and state agencies will share information on efforts to further develop equitable healthcare activities, programs, and policies that reflect a broad understanding of what creates health for individuals and communities. Learn about effective responses to diverse communities and successful initiatives for creating real change. For more information, visit the website here.
Engagement
7. Sensory Friendly Sunday at Walker Art Center
Sensory Friendly Sunday is a monthly, free event at the Walker Art Center for kids, teens and adults with sensory processing differences or Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. We’re looking for volunteers to provide sensory support to event visitors. As a volunteer, you will be supported by Walker staff and receive training from the Walker’s Education team and Rebecca LaChappelle, OTR/L, MSOT at Fraser, along with a free t-shirt! This event runs from 8 – 11am on Sundays August 5 / September 2 / October 7. You’re welcome to volunteer with us for one session or for multiple, depending on your schedule. To express your interest in this opportunity, please email jenny.keight@walkerart.org.
8. Research Paper Submission
Have you completed a research paper in a psychology-related field (i.e. psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, linguistics)? Are you looking for a platform to publish your work? If so, The Undergraduate Research Journal of Psychology at UCLA (URJP) WANTS YOU to submit your papers for our annual publication, expected to be released Spring 2019. URJP is an organization dedicated to informing the community of psychological findings through research run by undergraduates from all universities. Last year, we received submissions ranging from local to international universities. URJP is one of the few established psychology journals that publishes undergraduate psychological research. To submit, the papers must fulfill the requirements: Original work completed by undergraduates (Includes senior honors theses, independent research, reviews, theoretical papers, and other scholarly writing) and never before been published. If you have not completed an independent research project, we still encourage you to apply by submitting a “literature review article” which does not require access to research data. The deadline to submit papers is October 15, 2018. Multiple submissions from one author are welcome. For more information and submission guidelines, please visit our site here.
9. Volunteer Research Assistant - Transgender Mental Health
The National Center for Gender Spectrum Health and Program in Human Sexuality are recruiting volunteer Research Assistants for data entry and database management. We are in the process of building a comprehensive data set pertaining to transgender and gender diverse children, adolescents, and adults using clinical data from the Center for Sexual Health. All applicants are welcome, especially those who are interested in learning more about the transgender community, clinical mental health care, and database management. Research Assistants will gain knowledge and experience with mental health measures and clinical data. Research Assistants typically work 10 hours per week tailored to individual availability. For more information or to apply, please contact Heidi Fall at fallx004@umn.edu with your CV/resume.
Research
10. Research Lab in Psychology - MN VA Health Care System
A laboratory at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System is conducting randomized clinical trials to examine the efficacy of interventions (cognitive remediation, neuromodulation) targeting cognition in multiple patient populations. There is an opportunity for 2 undergraduate students to become involved with this project as a Research Lab in Psychology experience. The students will learn about how cognition is impacted by these psychiatric conditions (schizophrenia, traumatic brain injury) as well assessment and rehabilitation approaches to reduce disability. Students will work as a part of a research team lead by a psychologist and will be involved primarily with scoring measures and entering data, assisting cognitive trainers in the administration of study sessions, and preparing recruitment and study materials. As part of the research experience, students will attend a weekly lab meeting in which topics related to the project are discussed. In addition, students will write an APA-style paper on a related topic. All research activities are conducted at the VA Health Care System. Students must be able to commute to the VA. Student will be asked to register for research credit and to commit an average of 9 hours each week. For more information, please send a resume to Tasha Nienow, PhD at Tasha.Nienow@va.gov.
11. Job Posting -- Undergraduate Research in the Shen Neurolaw Lab
The Shen Neurolaw Lab, directed by Dr. Francis Shen at the University of Minnesota, is seeking applications for a year-long, part-time Undergraduate Research Assistant position. The application process is competitive, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting on August 8, 2018. The Lab motto is “Every story is a brain story,” and the undergrad RA will work on projects at the intersection of neuroscience and law. Current Lab projects explore dementia, brain injury and sports concussion, memory and lie detection, cognitive enhancement, artificial intelligence, punishment decision-making, addiction, neuroethics, and more. Previous research experience and knowledge of brain science is not required, but should be mentioned in the cover letter. Technical skills such as quantitative analysis and graphics design should be mentioned if applicable. Skills valued for this position include: ability for scholarly writing; attention to detail; ability to work independently; organization; and ability to complete projects in a timely fashion. Research responsibilities will include literature reviews, reviewing manuscripts, and communicating with research partners. The RA should be able to commit at least 10 hours per week, and during the summer at least 15-20 hours per week. Hourly compensation will be based on experience. Work study students are encouraged to apply, but non-work study students will also be considered. For qualified and highly talented students, an option to work in the lab may be available for of PSY 4993 Directed Research credit. Recently graduated students will be considered as well. The Lab has hired RAs from beyond Minnesota in previous years. If working remotely, the RA will be expected to maintain regular contact with the Lab. To apply: please submit a cover letter, resume, and copy of transcript online at http://www.fxshen.com/hire. To learn more about the Lab’s research, see: www.fxshen.com or contact Lab Manager Sydney Diekmann at neurolaw@umn.edu.
12. Research Assistant Position in Adolescent Depression MRI Studies
Dr. Karina Quevedo is currently looking is looking for motivated Psychology undergraduates to come acquire neuroimaging research experience in her lab. There is the opportunity to gain Directed Research credit. This opportunity is geared towards students who can begin working before or at the beginning of the Fall 2018 semester for at least 1 full year or more. The Health and Emotions in Adolescents: Research and Trajectories (HEART) Lab is a neuroimaging lab conducting several studies to better understand adolescent depression, suicidality, and self-harm. The HEART Lab focuses on the brain function of adolescents – with and without depression – while they complete fMRI tasks designed to examine emotion regulation and cognition. Our real-time MRI “Train Your Brain” research study that we are currently conducting is particularly exciting because there are opportunities to see how the brain works in vivo! Required skills include basic computer and interpersonal/phone skills. Preferred skills include computer knowledge in MATLAB, SPSS, and Photoshop. The time commitment for this position is about 5-12 hours/week. If interested, please email the Research Coordinator, Jia Yuan Teoh (teohx009@umn.edu), with a copy of your CV and unofficial transcript and subject line "HEART LAB Research Opportunity".
13. Undergraduate Research Opportunity at the Institute of Child Development
We are looking for responsible, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented students to work in Professor Glenn Roisman's Relationships Reseach Laboratory in the Fall and Spring of 2018 to help with data entry and transcription of interviews about participants' childhood experiences with their primary caregivers. Prospective undergraduate research assistants must be prepared to sign up for 3 credits (approximately 10 hours of work per week, including a flexible schedule and 1-2 weekly, hour-long lab meetings). Please contact Professor Roisman by email (roism001@umn.edu) if you are interested and indicate your availability for an informal, 15-minute interview in Professor Roisman's office at the Institute of Child Development (104A Child Psych). Professor Roisman asks that you bring along to your appointment with him your resume and a brief writing sample (no more than 1 page excerpt) from a college paper.
14. Research on Adolescent Drug Abuse
I am looking for a small group of responsible, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented undergraduate students who can work with me on two proposed research projects that are being considered for funding by NIH. Tasks will include the following: 1) Conducting literature reviews and preparing summaries of articles for one of these two topics: parent resources to address adolescent marijuana use and attitudes; and personalized brief counseling models to address adolescents with drug abuse and co-existing problems; and 2) Active participation in approximately 6-8 research meetings involving group discussions of assigned readings on adolescent drug abuse and related topics (e.g., neurodevelopment; developmental psychopathology; research methodology). A 3-5 page paper on your experience is required at the end of the semester. Candidates must be pursuing a degree in Psychology or related field, and be willing to commit up to 9 hours per week for the Fall semester. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Ken Winters (winte001@umn.edu).
15. Undergraduate Research Opportunity in Educational Psychology
We are looking for responsible and detail-oriented students who can work in Dr. Ted Christ's research lab. Successful candidates will help with assessment and intervention development, data entry, organization, and other lab activities related to School Psychology teacher training as well as reading and math educational assessment and intervention research during the upcoming school year. Credit and volunteer options are available. All applicants must be willing to commit to at least 6 hours per week during the school year. Please contact Dr. Mary Jane White by email (whit0782@umn.edu) if you are interested. Attach a 1 page resume that includes information about your GPA, general work and schooling experience, references, skills using Microsoft Office (WORD, Excel, etc.).
16. Research Lab in Psychology - MN VA Health Care System
A laboratory at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System is conducting randomized clinical trials to examine the efficacy of interventions (cognitive remediation, neuromodulation) targeting cognition in multiple patient populations. There is an opportunity for 2 undergraduate students to become involved with this project as a Research Lab in Psychology experience. The students will learn about how cognition is impacted by these psychiatric conditions (schizophrenia, traumatic brain injury) as well assessment and rehabilitation approaches to reduce disability. Students will work as a part of a research team lead by a psychologist and will be involved primarily with scoring measures and entering data, assisting cognitive trainers in the administration of study sessions, and preparing recruitment and study materials. As part of the research experience, students will attend a weekly lab meeting in which topics related to the project are discussed. In addition, students will write an APA-style paper on a related topic. All research activities are conducted at the VA Health Care System. Students must be able to commute to the VA. Student will be asked to register for research credit and to commit an average of 9 hours each week. For more information, please send a resume to Tasha Nienow, PhD at Tasha.Nienow@va.gov.
Jobs/Internship Opportunities
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17. 3 Positions Open- Psychology Technician Position
A recently funded intervention study plans to hire a full-time psychology technician. The study is a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the pairing of two therapeutic techniques, cognitive remediation and a neuromodulation technique call transcranial direct current stimulation (tdcs), as cognitively enhancing intervention for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The study will be conducted at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. The psychology technician will work as part of a research team that is led by a clinical psychologist. The position is funded for 2.5 years.
A Master degree in psychology or a related field is required. Experience with serious mental illness is preferred. The position requires a high degree of organization, accuracy, interpersonal skill, and computer skill.
Please contact Tasha Nienow, PhD, LP at Tasha.Nienow@va.gov for more information.
18. 2 Positions Open- Research Assistant and Research Coordinator
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has disseminated two evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE). However, outcomes from CPT and PE are not universally positive and many questions remain about what accounts for this variation and how to improve delivery of CPT and PE. The purpose of this study, Shared Contributions to Outcomes and Retention in EBPs for PTSD (SCORE PTSD) is to examine CPT and PE delivery and outcomes to identify strategies to support therapists and improve Veteran outcomes from CPT and PE. This study starts with quantitative data collection and analysis (which is the priority of the study) followed by qualitative data collection and analysis to explain and expand the quantitative findings. This study is being funded by VA’s Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D) and is led by investigators at the Health Services Research Center of Innovation at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, CCDOR.
Research Assistant
Bachelors (BA/BS) degree in public health, sociology, psychology or related allied health field from an accredited college or university, ideally with at least 1 year of specialized research experience. A candidate without such experience will be considered with an undergraduate GPA more than 3.0.
Research Coodinator
Bachelors (BA/BS) degree with at least 1 year of experience working full time as a research assistant OR Masters (MA/MS/MPH) degree. Only individuals with Bachelors or Masters degrees in public health, sociology, psychology or related allied health fields from an accredited college or university will be considered.
Please submit CV and letter of interest, or for more information, to Robert Orazem, PhD, at robert.orazem2@va.gov. Application material will be accepted until the position is filled.
