Psych Scoop, 8/28/18 - Research Edition
August 28th, 2018 - Research Edition
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!
Research Resources
1. Interested in learning how to get started with faculty-sponsored research?
"Think like a Researcher" is a workshop designed to help you become comfortable with the research skills and tools needed to participate in a variety of exciting research and creative opportunities including the UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program) and more. Apply today at z.umn.edu/thinklikearesearcher
Research Lab Opportunities (for credit)
2. Research Opportunity for Fall - Research on Communication
Our research team, under the direction of Drs. Mark Snyder and Alexander Rothman, is looking for an undergraduate research assistant (RA) for the Fall semester with an opportunity to continue into the Spring. The experience will involve research on how individual differences influence people’s receptivity to different types of information on health-, volunteerism-, and environment-related behaviors. RAs are expected to register for research credits (e.g., PSY 5993), and commit around 9 hours per week. Tasks will include attending research group meetings, reviewing literature, creating research materials, and data entry/analyses. To apply, please email Keven Joyal-Desmarais (joyal008@umn.edu) by August 31. Write “RA position for Communications Project” as the subject line, and indicate your name, email, and reasons for applying in the body of the email. Please also attached your resume, and a copy of your unofficial transcript.
3. Co-Parenting and Child Interactions Project
We are seeking enthusiastic, conscientious, and detail-oriented students to work in Dr. Jeff Simpson’s Social Interactions Lab in the Fall of 2018. We will be collecting data (e. g., running participants) from parents and their child (age 3-5) on a project about differences in parenting behaviors. Because we have many community participants, we have to be flexible in scheduling the lab sessions. That means sometimes working on nights or weekends, and the schedule will change from week to week (but sessions are scheduled around your availability). Successful applicants will have multiple chunks of 3+ hours available per week. Prospective research assistants should be able to commit approximately 9 hours of work per week throughout the semester. Preference will be given to students that are able to commit for more than one semester. Please contact Jami Eller (eller091@umn.edu) if you are interested or visit our website and complete the application link.
4. Undergraduate Research Opportunity in Cognition and Brain Lab
The Cognition and Brain (CAB) lab, directed by Dr. Scott Sponheim at the Minneapolis VA Medical center, is seeking volunteer research assistants for the 2018-2019 school year. Our current study aims to understand the basis of visual hallucinations in psychosis and how it manifests in the brain. To assess this we are currently using MRI and MEG scans in conjunction with cognitive tests and clinical interviews. We are seeking individuals who have an interest in psychosis and brain imaging. Responsibilities may include recruitment, screening, scheduling, scoring cognitive and clinical assessments, and data entry. We require a commitment of 8-10 hours per week. Successful candidates typically have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have junior or senior level credits. Candidates also have the opportunity to receive PSY 4993 credit. If you are interested, please send a copy of your unofficial transcript and CV/resume to Emily Olson (olso7188@umn.edu).
5. Research Intern for PTSD/Moral Injury Studies
The research intern will assist research staff in Dr. J. Irene Harris’ Clinical Studies Lab. Dr. Harris has 4 different studies that are currently enrolling (2) or will soon start enrollment (2). Intern responsibilities will include preparing study materials, verifying accuracy of study data, and conducting patient record review. Additional responsibilities may include working with databases and assessing participants depending on intern’s experience and ability. This research is being conducted at the Minneapolis Veterans Health Care System. The patient population includes veterans that are coping with PTSD, Trauma-Related Nightmares, Psychospiritual Development, and Moral Injury.
Qualified candidates must be highly motivated, able to work independently, extremely detail-oriented, and willing to develop new skills as the need arises. Excellent communication (written and oral), organizational and interpersonal skills; comfortable using basic computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and web applications. Candidates must be pursuing a degree in Psychology or related field, and be willing to commit to 9-10 hours per week for 12 months (hours and days are flexible, but will be M-F during normal business hours). To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to: Jeanette.Harris2@va.gov or call the Study Coordinator, Mary Evans-Lindquist at 612-467-4946.
6. Brain Sciences Center at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center
The Brain Sciences Center at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center is seeking volunteer research assistants for several ongoing studies related to healthy brain aging and Gulf War Illness. Initial responsibilities will include preparing study materials, recruitment and scheduling, and data entry. Additional responsibilities may include assisting with data acquisition and other study-related tasks depending on experience and ability. Candidates must be willing to commit to 8-10 hours per week. Preference will be given to students who are able to commit for more than 1 semester. Candidates may have the opportunity to receive PSY 4993 credit. To apply, please send a cover letter and CV/resume to Melinda Brueschke (melinda.brueschke@va.gov).
7. Undergraduate Research Opportunity at the Carlson School of Management
We are looking for TWO responsible, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented students to work with Prof. Barbara Loken and Prof. Alison Xu on research projects on consumer behavior at Carlson School of Management in the Fall of 2018. Job responsibilities includes conducting literature review on consumer behavior, preparing materials for behavioral experiments, designing online surveys (using Qualtrics), running experiments in behavioral labs, data entry, formatting articles, etc. Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills are highly valued. Any background in Marketing is a plus. Candidates must be pursuing a degree in Psychology or related field, and be willing to commit to 9-10 hours per week in the fall of 2018. Registration for PSY 4993 would be supervised by Dr. Barbara Loken and Dr. Alison Xu. To apply, please send a resume, unofficial transcript, and your fall schedule to Prof. Alison Xu, alisonxu@umn.edu . A short interview will be conducted for qualified candidates.
8. Institute of Child Development - Research Opportunity
Professor Daniel Berry’s research team at the Institute of Child Development is seeking an undergraduate research assistant (UGRA) to begin this Fall and continue into the Spring. The UGRA will be involved with research projects in the area of developmental psychology. We are particularly interested in the interplay of environmental experiences, regulation, and the child's developing physiological stress system. Past UGRA's have helped with data collection and recruitment, data entry, video coding, working with physiological data, and performing literature searches. We prefer that UGRA's register for 2-3 credits of directed research via Psychology or Child Psychology Directed Research credits. UGRA's are expected to commit to an average of 9 hours of work per week, attend research meetings, work independently on assigned tasks, and take initiative in learning opportunities with research team members. Ideal candidates are conscientious and motived team players who are interested in research and think that children's minds are pretty amazing. Please contact Isa Stallworthy at stall142@umn.edu if you are interested!
9. Cognitive Development and Neuroimaging Laboratory (CDN Lab)
Dr. Kathleen Thomas (Institute of Child Development) is seeking two undergraduates interested in directed research on a neuroimaging study for the fall 2018 semester. Interested individuals should expect to contribute a 9-10 hours per week in the lab (3 credits) and will be required to write a 5-page paper by the end of the semester. Laboratory hours can be scheduled flexibly to accommodate school, work, travel or other commitments. Primary activities will include: online training in responsible conduct of research and processing of MRI data from studies of adult twins. Research assistants may be trained in secondary research activities throughout the semester depending on progress. Location: All activities will take place in our laboratory at the Institute of Child Development on the East Bank Campus. Research assistants will be trained and supervised by Dr. Thomas as well as her research staff or graduate students. Once training is complete, research assistants may set their own hours. Interested individuals should contact Dr. Kathleen Thomas (thoma114@umn.edu) with the following information: Name and Email Address, Major and year in school, Reason for interest in the position.
10. Couples' Interactions Study Seeking Research Assistants
The Couples' Interactions study in the Social Interaction Lab under Dr. Jeff Simpson is looking for research assistants for Fall 2018 to run lab sessions with couples in a study on how people manage and express their emotions (both negative and positive) in romantic relationships. RAs will collect many different kinds of data, including survey, reaction time, video, and physiological data. Because we have many community participants, we have to be flexible in scheduling the lab sessions. That means sometimes working on nights or weekends, and the schedule will change from week to week (but sessions are scheduled around your availability). Successful applicants will have multiple chunks of 3.5+ hours available per week. For more information and a link to the application, please visit our website.
11. I/O Psychology Research Lab
Professor Paul Sackett’s research team is seeking an undergraduate research assistant (UGRA) for the Fall semester. The UGRA will be involved in research projects in the area of industrial organizational (IO) psychology. This opportunity will allow the UGRA to gain experience in literature searches and data entry. The UGRA is asked to register for 3 credits of PSY 5993 Directed Research. The UGRA is expected to commit an average of 3 hours of work per credit (9 hours total), to work independently on assigned tasks, to take initiative in communicating with the primary graduate student in the case of confusion or questions, and to submit weekly or biweekly work reports, as determined by the grad student and UGRA. This experience would be beneficial to any student trying to pursue a higher degree in psychology, but ideal candidates have taken PSY 3711 and are motivated psychology students who are planning to apply to graduate programs in IO psychology, HR programs, or Work and Organizations. Please contact Dana Tomeh as soon as possible (tomeh001@umn.edu) if interested.
12. Research Intern For Behavioral Economics - Marketing Department
The research intern will assist a research Professor at the Marketing Department. Dr. Kathleen Vohs is currently running 8 research studies on self-control, happiness, and meaning in life. Intern responsibilities will include preparing study materials, building websites, verifying accuracy of study data, and running trials in laboratory experiments. Additional responsibilities may include literature searches. Qualified candidates must display a high level of initiative, strong communication skills, be able to work on their own, and be attentive to details. Being facile with Word, Excel, and HTML web applications is a plus. Candidates must be pursuing a degree in Psychology or related field, and be willing to commit to 9-10 hours per week for a 12 month duration. Candidates will register for PSY 4993, as supervised by Dr. Vohs. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to kvohs@umn.edu.
Additional Research Opportunities (not for credit)
13. Undergraduate Research Opportunity - Start Summer and Continue Fall/Spring
We are seeking for research credit or volunteer undergraduates looking for research experience, specifically working with data. Tasks would include entering data from paper surveys into SPSS or Excel, assist with cleaning and checking data and attend project meetings as needed. Previous coursework in statistics and/or research methods is helpful. Work will take place near West Bank at the Institute of Translational Research in Children's Mental Health. Send a resume and a detailed cover letter describing how you meet the required qualifications for this position to Dr. Susanne Lee, ADAPT Data Manager, at leexx310@umn.edu. Applications are due August 29, 2018. Learn more about the ADAPT studies at our website.
14. Clinical Research Intern Position Available
The Minnesota Center for Chemical and Mental Health (www.mncamh.umn.edu) has a clinical research intern position open for the 2018-2019 academic year. If you're interested in how mental health and substance use treatment professionals are trained to work with a wide range of clinical issues, are able to commit 10 hours per week for the year, and have some experience working with quantitative and qualitative methodologies this may be the internship for you! Contact Research Coordinator Jillian Wright-Martin, MPS, LADC at wrig0331@umn.edu for full details of the position.
15. Position Openings with MN Center for Twin & Family Research (Full and Part-Time)
The Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research (MCTFR) is seeking applicants for a full-time ABCD Research Assistant 1, as well as a few part-time paid undergrad research assistant (UGRA) positions. To view full job postings, go to the UMN Job Board and follow the instructions below:
- Full-time ABCD Research Assistant 1: Click "External Faculty and Staff Applicants" or "Current U Employees" then search for Job ID 325714.
- Part-time UGRA (Participant Locator & Data Entry): Click "Students," then search for Job ID 323616.
