Advertisements for Research Assistant (RA) Positions in the Psychology Department other than the NSERC UG Research Award Positions
(e.g., Volunteer, Paid, and Psych 264/464 Positions)
Instructions for Faculty Members and Graduate Students
Current research positions in the Psychology Department
INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENTS
Why is research experience important for undergraduate students
Approximately 30 students per term, particularly in the Fall and Winter terms, serve as volunteer research assistants (RA) in the Psychology Department. These positions typically involve a commitment of 3-5 hours per week. Year 2 is not too early for such a position.
Typically 25-30 Psychology Majors per year receive academic credit for being a volunteer research assistant (see Psych 264/464). The Psych 264/464 positions involve a commitment of 8 hours per week for 13 weeks. Prior to enrolment in Psych 264 or 464 (Research Apprenticeship Courses), the course application form must be approved by the course supervisor and the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies. Undergraduate Chairman in the Psychology Department.
Thirty to 50 students per term (typically 3rd and 4th year students) are paid research assistants in our department.
Most research assistant positions in the department are not advertised so networking is critical for securing such a position!
Speak to individual faculty members about the opportunities that are available in their labs (also ask for referrals).
- contact information and research interests of faculty members in our department
- tips on approaching faculty members for research positions
Also ask graduate students in the department (e.g., your teaching assistants for courses) if they are aware of any research opportunities.
Current research positions in the Psychology Department
INFORMATION FOR FACULTY MEMBERS AND GRADUATE STUDENTS:
If you are looking for research assistants (volunteer, paid, or Psych 264 or 464 students) for the current or next school term, please submit the details to Gini Kennings as soon as possible for posting on this page. We receive many inquiries from students looking for research positions in the department so this is a very good way to advertise any opportunities in your lab.
NOTE: The Psych 264/464 positions (volunteer for academic credit) require a commitment of 8 hours per week for 13 weeks (see the course application form for details). Please include that information in your advertisement for a volunteer.
Current research positions in the Psychology Department
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
PSYCH 264/464 Research Apprenticeship Position (Spring/Summer 2013)
Gambling Research Lab - Dr. Michael J. Dixon
Contact: Candice Jensen (PhD Student)
Research Areas: Cognition/cognitive neuroscience (gambling behaviour, problem gambling).
Duties: Recruiting participants, data collection/running experiments, preparing materials for studies, data entry, coding, and management.
Benefits: Work with a large, diverse research team, and develop a variety of research skills applicable to different areas of psychology.
Time commitment: 8 to 10 hours per week.
Qualifications: Applicants should be conscientious students with at least a 75% average in their completed psychology courses. We will give preference to individuals who are interested in applying to grad school in psychology. Enthusiasm about research is a must!
How to apply: Please email: (1) a resume, (2) an unofficial transcript, (3) a cover letter, and (4) a tentative spring/summer schedule to Candice Jensen
Volunteer RA - Spring 2013
Dr. Jonathan Fugelsang
Contact: Jordan Rozario (Master's student)
Research Areas: Cognitive psychology - Mathematical/Numerical cognition
Duties: You will be in charge of recruiting participants and running various experiments, primarily investigating mathematical ability.
Time commitment: 5 - 10 hours per week
Qualifications: Applicants should be conscientious students with at least a 75% average in their completed psychology courses. We will give preference to individuals who are interested in applying to grad school in psychology. Enthusiasm about research is a must. Previous experience preferred, but not required.
How to apply: Please send Jordan Rozario an email briefly explaining why you'd like the position. You may be asked to reply back with a resume and/or unofficial transcript (copy and pasted from Quest).
Volunteer RA - Spring 2013
Dr. Daniel Smilek
Contact: Brandon Ralph
Research Areas: Cognitive psychology (attention and media use).
Duties: You will primarily be in charge of recruiting participants and running various experiments investigating human attention.
Time commitment: 5 - 10 hours per week
Qualifications: Applicants should be conscientious students with at least a 75% average in their completed psychology courses. Preference is typically given to individuals who are interested in applying to graduate school in psychology. Enthusiasm about research is a must!
How to apply: Please send Brandon Ralph an email briefly explaining why you'd like the position, along with your unofficial transcript (copy and pasted from Quest).
Volunteer RA - Spring 2013
Dr. Douglas Brown
Contact: Sam Hanig
Research Areas: Social-cognitive processes associated with power
Duties: You will be in charge of running experiments, recruiting and scheduling participants, as well as data entry and management.
Time commitment: Approximately 6 - 10 hours per week.
Qualifications: High motivation to gain research experience; ability to focus; ability uphold time commitments; ability to work autonomously; broad interest in the effects of power in relationships, organizations, and society.
Benefits: This will be an excellent learning experience for students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies in psychology or management/organizational behaviour.
To apply:
If you're interested in this position, please send the following documents to Sam Hanig:
1. Resume
2. Cover letter explaining your interest in this position
3. A statement of interest for research
4. Availability for Spring 2013 term.
Volunteer RAs – Spring 2013
Dr. Wendi Adair
Contact: Franki KungResearch Areas: Culture and Organizational Behavior – (Current projects on Cultural Psychology, Negotiation, Intergroup Relations, Creativity, Motivation, and Lay Beliefs)
Duties:
Basic Project-based:
- Manage participant recruitment and schedules
- Conduct experiments
- Learn to do linguistic and behavioral coding
- Learn to do basic data cleaning
Optional depending on student’s area of interest:
- Analyze and interpret data
- Review literature based on student interest and present findings
- Develop own research ideas and write proposals
- Participate in lab meetings and discuss research findings
Time commitment: Ideally 8 - 10 hours per week but not necessary
Qualifications:
- We need passionate and persistent students!
-Other qualities: eager to learn, able to work in team and is organized
-Preferences will be given to students in psychology major program, with prior research experience and with a future plan to apply for graduate school
Benefits:
-Work closely with psychology researchers and acquire hands-on Research experience
-Job and school application references
-RA with satisfactory performance are considered for Psych 264/464
-Chance to develop own research project and present at academic conferences in the country or overseas
To apply:
If you're interested in this position, please go to the below link and fill out your information.Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a casual information interview. If you do not receive our reply in a few weeks, probably it is because the vacancies for RAs are filled (we have to set a quota to ensure the quality of training). And the application will be considered for your subsequent available semester.
Volunteer RA, PSYCH 264 position, Directed-Study Position – Spring and Fall 2013
2 positions available
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Douglas Brown
Contact: Lindie LiangResearch Areas: Leadership, motivation, embodied cognition, organizational behaviour
Duties:
- Manage participant recruitment and schedules
- Conduct laboratory experiments
- Other duties depending on students' interest (e.g., help with literature review, data cleaning, etc.)
Time commitment: Ideally 8 - 10 hours/week
Qualifications:
-I am looking for a reliable, detail-oriented, and highly motivated individual
-Applicants should have a strong interest in organizational behaviour, industrial-organizational psychology, and social psychology research
-Preferences will be given to students in second or third year enrolled in the psychology major program
-Prior research experience is not necessary but is an asset
Benefits:
-High quality research experience
-Exposure and training in all aspects of research (in particular suited for students planning to pursue graduate studies)
-Opportunity to develop a line of research for honours thesis
-Academic References
To apply:
If you're interested in this position, please send the following documents to Lindie Liang
1. Resume
2. Unofficial transcript
3. Cover letter explaining your interest in this position
4. Availability for Spring 2013 and Fall 2013
Full-Time Research/Lab Manager Needed for one year beginning August 2013
Dr. Ori Friedman’s Child Cognition Lab at the University of Waterloo is looking for a Full time Researcher/ Lab Manager. This paid position is a year contract with a flexible start date between August 15- September 1 (2013). This is an excellent position for someone looking to obtain additional research experience before going to graduate school.
Our research focuses on preschooler’s and young children’s understanding of ownership, pretend play, and people’s thoughts and feelings. We conduct research on a daily basis, testing many different studies simultaneously. We are looking for a responsible and highly organized individual with an undergraduate degree in Psychology or a related field. Responsibilities include: contacting daycares and public schools in the surrounding K-W area, supervising undergraduate research assistants, maintaining paperwork, creating stimuli, conducting research with children aged 2-7, inputting and analyzing data. It is recommended that the candidate has good interpersonal skills, experience with children, and experience using software such as Excel, PowerPoint, and SPSS.
To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and an unofficial copy of your transcript to Ori Friedman. The review of applications will begin immediately. Following an offer, the candidate will need to have a Vulnerable Sectors Criminal Reference Check.
Last updated: May 24, 2013
