Are you a current undergraduate student interested in becoming a research assistant? Check out our FAQs and resources below to learn more!
What are the benefits of joining a faculty research lab?
There are many benefits to joining a faculty research lab including, but not limited to:
- Gaining valuable experience that can give you a competitive edge when applying to graduate school
- Developing a variety of transferable skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving, literature review, data collection and analysis, and more
- Building professional relationships with your faculty mentor, who can not only provide guidance and training but can also provide letters of recommendation that are required for graduate school and job applications
- Networking and collaborating with peers
In addition to all the benefits above, you could also gain course credit for your research experience by enrolling in PSY 499 - Independent Study and Research.
What do undergraduate research assistants do?
Each research assistant's experience can differ depending on the particular lab they join, the topic of interest and the research methods used, and when the student joins the lab. Research assistants may:
- Review the existing literature to identify gaps in the research
- Assist with research design and ethical considerations
- Use research software, such as Qualtrics, PsychoPy, EPrime
- Run in person study sessions
- Assist with animal care (in BNS labs that use animals)
- Code behavioral data from video recordings
- Conduct data analysis using statistical software, such as SPSS, R, Mathematica
- Present findings at a conference and/or Student Scholars Day
- Write up research findings in a publishable manuscript
When should I join a research lab?
When you should join a lab can depend on your previous experience, which faculty member you'd like to work with, and the type of research involved. Some faculty mentors prefer that their research assistants are at least in their sophomore or junior year and/or that they have taken STA 215 and PSY 300. Other faculty mentors welcome first year students.
In general, it's best to join a lab early enough that you can spend at least a few semesters in the lab, so you have time to build your skills, experience more of the research process, and develop professional relationships and mentorship. The earlier you can get involved, the more opportunities you will have to explore your career interests and solidify your plans for the future.
How do I join a research lab?
The best way to join a lab is to reach out to a faculty member whose research you might be interested in by sending them an email or attending office hours. When expressing your interest in joining their lab, be sure to communicate in a professional manner and specifically point out reasons why you want to join their lab in particular. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with some of their research and know what types of work they do before contacting them.
The next step is often a meeting or interview with the faculty researcher. They will likely have questions for you about your interests, academic experiences, and future career goals. This meeting is a great time for you to ask questions about what their research activities involve, their expectations for research assistants, and the types of research skills you will be learning in their lab. Please note that some faculty only accept new students to start in their labs at the start of semesters while others take students on a rolling or as-needed basis. That said, reach out to start these discussions anytime; that way, the faculty member can keep you in mind if opportunities arise in future semesters.
How do I decide what faculty to pursue working with?
If you've taken a class with a professor you really like and you are interested in their research topics, you can reach out to them personally to ask about research assistant opportunities. If you haven't had direct contact with many professors in a way which would inform you of their work, browse the Psychology department's Faculty Areas of Interest or ForagerOne. You can also learn more about faculty through their Faculty Profile.
When you are first starting out in research, any type of experience is valuable and can help you build a foundation of research knowledge and skills. While many students try to join labs that are closely connected to their specific area of interest in psychology, this is not always logistically possible. Instead of focusing solely on gaining additional content knowledge in some area of psychology, consider the different types of research-related knowledge you would like to learn and the range of fields that can provide that.
What qualifications do faculty look for?
Most faculty are more interested in professionalism, conscientiousness, and an eagerness to learn above prior experience. Being a research assistant can require a lot of work, independently and in groups, so it's important that you can commit to the responsibilities asked of you. An ability to work efficiently and ask for help when you don't know are also generally highly valued. Many faculty appreciate students who can strike a balance between cultivating their own interests, offering their perspectives, and being willing to learn a lot. Aside from these general qualifications, ask faculty you're interested in working with what they look for or require.
Are there funding opportunities available?
While most undergraduate research experience is volunteer work, there are some funding opportunities. Some faculty may have grants they can use to pay research assistants. Research assistants can also look into other funding opportunities through McNair Scholars, Student Summer Scholars (S3), or other opportunities available through the Office of Undergraduate Research & Scholarship (OURS).
Can I do research in other departments?
Yes, you can join a lab outside of the Psychology Department. Some students may wish to explore other departments within CLAS, such as Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Cellular Molecular Biology, Movement Sciences, or Sociology. Research opportunities may also be available in Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Business since these fields have strong ties to Psychology.
For additional resources or questions, please visit our Current Research Assistants webpage or contact the Lab Manager at [email protected].