Research Assistant Opportunities
Domestic Violence, Motivation, and Addiction Research Among Women in the Court Setting
Supervisor: Diane Morse, MD (Department of Psychiatry)
Recruitment is ongoing
We currently have a series of research projects available for ambitious undergraduate students that involve qualitative analysis, data entry, grant writing, participant recruitment, and physical and mental health in underserved female populations. Subsequently, there will be some quantitative data analysis and intervention fidelity assessment as well. Most of our research relates to domestic violence, motivation, and addiction in the court and clinical settings among justice-involved women.
Interns will engage with research staff, healthcare providers, community health workers, and research subjects to assist the efforts of the Women’s Initiative Supporting Health (W.I.S.H.) program, which is directed by Diane S. Morse, MD and housed within the Department of Psychiatry. Ideally, the internship would be 10-15 hours weekly, which could be flexible during exam or school break times. There is also the option of working with us for 4-hour course credit or during the summer. Opportunities for authorship on presentations and clinical experience are available to highly motivated individuals.
Educational benefits include: relevant training, weekly literature reviews, and mentorship for graduate school/medical school applications. Students able to make a two-semester commitment will be given preference. Apply 3 months in advance minimum.
Contact: Dr. Diane Morse, diane_morse@urmc.rochester.edu, (585) 275-6484
Project BRIDGE: Parents & Teens
Supervisors: Melissa Sturge-Apple, PhD; Patrick Davies, PhD
Recruitment is ongoing for this project
Project BRIDGE is a multidisciplinary study that examines parent-child relationships in early adolescence. Data collection has ended, but we are currently seeking research assistants to conduct coding in either observational or narrative systems. Students can receive up to four credits during academic semesters and an optional seminar component is available for students who wish to learn more about the implications and general theories of the project.
For more information, or to receive an application, please visit our web site at www.RochesterFamilyResearch.org.
Contact:
Project CONNECT
Supervisor: Melissa Sturge-Apple, PhD
Recruitment is ongoing for this project
Project CONNECT is a multidisciplinary study that examines the influence of mother-child relationships on children's socio-emotional and cognitive development in early childhood. Data collection has ended, but we are currently seeking research assistants to conduct observational coding of child assessments. Students can receive up to four credits during academic semesters and an optional seminar component is available for students who wish to learn more about the implications and general theories of the project.
For more information, please visit our website at www.psych.rochester.edu/research/rcf/projects/ProjectConnect.html
Contact: Jennifer Suor, MA, jennifer.suor@rochester.edu
Project STEP
Supervisor: Patrick Davies, PhD, & Melissa Sturge-Apple, PhD
Recruitment is ongoing
Project STEP is a study that examines the coping and adjustment of preschoolers who have experienced different levels of interparental discord.
Undergraduate research assistants who join our lab will have the opportunity to evaluate interviews or observations and learn to implement systems for evaluating family adversity, family support, and children's coping with family stress. An optional seminar component is available for students who wish to learn more about the implications and general theories of the project.
Students can earn up to 4 credit hours per semester for their work on this project by enrolling in either CSP377 or CSP391.
Contact: Jesse Coe, jesse.coe@rochester.edu, (585) 275-0757
Research in Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation
Supervisor: Richard M. Ryan, PhD
Recruiting now for Fall 2016 & Spring 2017
The Self-Determination Theory lab is looking for undergraduate research assistants to work on a project that will be investigating how mindfulness relates to psychological and physical health in upcoming fall 2016 & spring 2017.
We are looking for a two-semester commitment (fall 2016 & spring 2017), and research assistants must be available some evenings. We are seeking students who have strong interpersonal skills, are self-directed, and reliable.
Research assistants will have the opportunity to independently run participants through an experimental procedure and potentially assist with data entry/analyses, which are valuable experiences especially for graduate school applications.
If interested, please supply Pati Schultz with a resume and unofficial transcript (copy from UR ACCESS).
Contact: Pati Schultz , patricia.schultz@rochester.edu
Research in Multiple Areas of Social Psychology
Supervisor: Miron Zuckerman, PhD
Recruitment is ongoing
Research assistants are needed for research on religiosity, self-esteem, self-enhancement, health, and other topics within and related to the field of social psychology. Assistants help with a wide variety of tasks, and are encouraged to get involved at every level of the research process.
Contact: Miron Zuckerman, PhD, miron@psych.rochester.edu
Research on Achievement and Social Motivation
Supervisor: Andrew J. Elliot, PhD
Recruitment is ongoing
We conduct research on why people behave the way they do in achievement situations (e.g., school, sports, work) and social situations. Our lab is quite diverse, usually comprising visiting professors and post-doctoral students from around the globe, as well as graduate students and undergraduate research assistants from the UR.
We are always looking for interested, hard-working undergraduates to participate in all phases of the research process, beginning with data collection (subject running) and moving toward more full collaboration (including honor's theses and other writing projects).
Contact: Chris Thorstenson, c.thorstenson@rochester.edu
Research on Depression & Anxiety
Supervisor: Lisa R. Starr, PhD
Recruiting for Fall 2015
Come join a fun, friendly, collaborative research lab!
Research assistants are wanted for research examining the etiology and consequences of depression and anxiety disorders in adolescence and adulthood in the Starr Lab. RAs will gain valuable research and clinical experience and will have the opportunity to be involved in the lab in a variety of ways: we ask our RAs to do everything from administrative tasks to performing literature reviews to conducting participant visits. Some RAs may have the opportunity to be trained on and conduct semi-structured interviews with adolescent participants and their parents, an experience that fosters both research and clinical skills.
We are looking for highly motivated, conscientious students with strong interpersonal skills and plenty of excitement about research on depression and related topics. This experience is particularly well-suited for students interested in eventually pursuing graduate studies in clinical psychology or a related field.
You can learn more about our labs interests and projects at our website psych.rochester.edu/research/starrlab. To apply, click on the "Join Us!" tab on our website and fill out an online application. Questions can be directed to starr.lab@rochester.edu.
Contact: Fanny Mlawer, starr.lab@rochester.edu
Research on Social Interaction and Close Relationships
Supervisor: Harry Reis, PhD
Recruitment is ongoing
We conduct research on social interaction and close relationships. We welcome participation by students as research assistants.
Typically, students may expect to conduct any or all of several activities, including running experimental sessions, supervising Internet-based protocols, interviewing participants, coding open-ended responses, and data entry.
Contact: Harry Reis, reis@psych.rochester.edu
Research on Social Interaction in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Supervisor: Loisa Bennetto
Currently recruiting for Summer and Fall 2016
The Developmental Neuropsychology Lab, directed by Dr. Loisa Bennetto, is seeking undergraduates to assist with a research study on social interaction in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research assistants will be integral to many aspects of this study, including interacting closely with children and families, project coordination, and data processing. This is an excellent opportunity to gain both valuable clinical experience with children with ASD, and valuable research experience in conducting a multi-method study and working within a research team.
We are currently recruiting for summer (paid and volunteer positions) and fall 2016 (for course credit). We are looking for a two-semester commitment (i.e., summer and fall, fall and spring), and research assistants must be available some evenings and weekends. We are specifically seeking students who are motivated, self-directed, reliable, and have strong interpersonal skills.
We would love to have you join our lab! To apply, please email Casey Zampella at casey.zampella@rochester.edu with the following information:
- CV or resume
- Cover letter addressing why you are interested in this position, any relevant prior experience, and your general availability for summer and/or fall
- Unofficial transcript
Contact: Casey Zampella, casey.zampella@rochester.edu
Research on the Subjective Experience of TV Shows
Supervisors: Paul Adachi, Ph.D.; Richard Ryan, Ph.D.
Recruitment is ongoing
We will be conducting a series of studies starting in September (2016) examining peoples’ subjective experiences of TV shows. We are looking for keen, hard-working undergraduates to help run participants. Research assistants will have the opportunity to independently run participants through an experimental procedure, which is a valuable experience, especially for graduate school applications.
Contact: Dr. Paul Adachi, padachi@ur.rochester.edu
School and Community Based Prevention Program
Supervisor: Peter A. Wyman, PhD
Recruiting is ongoing for this project.
Our research group focuses on using peer-led prevention programs for suicide prevention, substance use prevention and mental health promotion. We are involved in evaluating the the Sources of Strength Peer Leadership Project (data collection ending in Spring 2015) and multiple sites in North Dakota, New Jersey, California and Georgia. The program uses the power of peer social networks to strengthen students' skills for handling life crisis and using adult help. Our team supports student teams and adults in the schools to implement messaging activities aimed at changing the norms that young people hold about getting through hard times and connecting with trusted adults for help. We use some of the most innovative approaches to data collecting and data analysis.
Our group is also involved in creating and evaluating curriculum with the Partnership for Drug Free, combining Above the Influence messaging in a peer-led prevention model with 8th and 9th grade students. Finally, in the near future, we will begin working with the USAF to create and evaluate peer-led mental health promotion programs for airmen returning to base.
Our team is excited to welcome an underduate intern who is enthusiastic about learning about conducting community-based research. Our interns are essential in helping us with the everyday tasks of conducting multi-site studies. They are welcome to join us during school meetings and school assessment periods when they have a full day open in their schedule. We welcome initiative, independence and inquisitiveness, while taking the responsibility to orient you and familiarize you with our work even through the small everyday support tasks.
Intern responsibilities:
- Survey and program implementation preparation - gathering and organizing supplies needed for school assessments or training; preparing mailings to schools/parents; improving program materials
- Data entry and analysis - gaining familiarity with online databases and survey tools
- Community involvement - opportunities to be involved in the field with trainings and surveys (your schedule permitting)
- Scholarly work support - preparing literature reviews; summarizing articles
- Accountability, accuracy and enthusiasm - our interns are responsible to arrive in a timely fashion, give us advanced notice regarding schedule changes and be focused while at internship
- Effective communication - interns are encouraged to inform us of their talents and goals and to communicate their struggles and needs.
If you are interested in learning more about the Sources of Strength program, please visit www.Sourcesofstrength.org.
Flexible schedule (4-8 hours per week). Close location (UR Medical Center). Learn about intervention research. Generally conducts interviews for internships in April (for summer and fall positions), November, and sometimes August.
Contact: Karen Schmeelk-Cone, karen_schmeelkcone@urmc.rochester.edu, (585) 275-6428
Suicide Prevention in Older Adults
Recruiting for Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Summer 2016, Fall 2016, Spring 2017
Job description: Assist a clinical psychologist with a clinical trial investigating the impact of social connectedness on the well-being of older adults. The project provides an in-home psychotherapy for older adults who are socially disconnected. Research assistants are needed to assist with screening participants on the phone, scoring neuropsychological tests, and data entry. Shadowing research assessors is possible. This experience provides hands on experience with clinical research as well as experience working with older adults.
Timeline: Two semester commitment needed. Project is run all year (including summer) until 2017.
Skills/requirements: Availability to work during weekdays. Comfort working with people is needed.
Academic credit is available, as well as mentorship in applying to graduate school.
Contact: Kim Van Orden, PhD, kimberly_vanorden@urmc.rochester.edu
Procedure for applying: Send CV/resume and cover letter describing your academic interest in the project to Kim Van Orden, PhD.
The Laboratory for Innovations in Child Mental Health Care Delivery
Supervisor: Linda Alpert-Gillis, PhD
Recruiting for Spring 2015 through Spring 2016
Description: The Laboratory for Innovations in Child Mental Health Care Delivery is based in the Child and Adolescent Division of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The research group has active research projects that focus on the development and evaluation of services within all settings in which intervention services are provided.
Current projects include: Emotional wellness screening of children enrolled in Primary Care Pediatrics and Head Start centers; Evaluation of evidenced-based depression treatment for teens; and Development and evaluation of mindfulness interventions for patients and their families in inpatient and outpatient settings.
Undergraduates also have the opportunity to participate in clinically oriented activities, including shadowing psychologists and conducting phone interviews with potential patients.
Selected research assistants participate in a 4 credit independent study course that requires 10 hours/week of responsibilities. Non-credit summer opportunities are also available.
We currently have one-two openings for the Spring 2015 semester. Priority will be given to sophomores and juniors with potential for longer term involvement. Please send a letter of interest and a resume to: Linda_Alpertgillis@URMC.rochester.edu or Kenya_Malcolm@urmc.rochester.edu
Contact: Dr. Linda Alpert-Gillis, linda_alpertgillis@urmc.rochester.edu
Alternate contact person: Dr. Kenya Malcolm, Kenya_Malcolm@urmc.rochester.edu.
Youth Risk and Resilience Lab
Supervisor: Catherine Glenn, PhD
Recruitment is ongoing
The Youth Risk and Resilience Lab is seeking highly motivated, conscientious individuals who are interested in gaining experience in clinical psychological science to join us as research assistants. Our research focuses on a range of self-harming behaviors in youth, including suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injury. With a foundation in clinical psychological science, our lab is specifically interested in understanding the psychological processes that lead to suicidal and self-injurious behaviors, improving identification and prediction of these behaviors, and identifying modifiable targets for intervention and prevention.
RA duties include: participating in weekly lab meetings, conducting literature reviews, assisting with data entry and analysis for two large research projects, and helping to develop measures and collect data for a pilot study using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) techniques. As RAs gain more experience in the lab, they will have the opportunity to observe clinical interviews, assist with manuscripts and conference presentations, and potentially complete more intensive work in the lab, such as a senior honors thesis. We are looking for RAs who can devote 10-12 hours per week, either for course credit (UR undergraduates: four course credits per academic semester) or as volunteers. We are particularly interested in recruiting RAs who are able to make a longer-term commitment (i.e., multiple semesters) to the lab.
To learn more about our research and to apply for a position, visit our website at www.yr2lab.com. To be considered, applicants must submit the RA application found under the “Join Us” section of our website and send a current CV or resume via email.
Contact: Angela Santee, glennlab@rochester.edu, 585-276-7886