Undergraduate Research Assistants
Psychology majors and minors have the opportunity to participate in research as an undergraduate research assistant (RA).
What is involved as an RA?
RAs can assist with multiple steps of research from data collection, data coding, and running studies to participating in lab meetings and literature searches.
Note: The RA duties vary depending on the research and faculty lab.
Why participate as an RA?
Students gain valuable experiences about the research process. This experience can help students determine how much they enjoy research, strengthen research skills, and become more involved with faculty and graduate students. Working as an RA is desirable when applying to graduate and professional programs.
Can I get course credit as an RA?
Most of the positions are volunteer-based, and there may be additional opportunities to earn course credit such as PSYC 3910 Supervised Research Experience (pending permission of faculty member).
How do I get involved?
To learn more about faculty research and labs in the Department of Psychological Sciences, click on the Faculty Labs. You can search by research interests or faculty. Click on the lab to find out more information and whom to contact regarding possible RA positions. See below for a list of labs that are currently recruiting students for upcoming semesters.
Note: Most research labs require a 2 semester commitment, and it is best to start early in your bachelor’s degree to gain valuable experience and positive letters of recommendation from faculty supervisors.
Research Labs with Currently Available Positions
AppearanCe Concerns, Eating, Prevention, and Treatment (ACCEPT) Lab
- Director: Dr. Tiffany Brown
- Interested students can submit an application to join the lab here.
Applied Behavior Analysis Intervention Lab
- Director: Dr. John Rapp
- The Rapp Lab utilizes the principles and concepts of behavior analysis to conduct basic, translational, and applied research. The lab consists of board-certified and licensed behavior analysts who oversee the provision of clinical services across different populations (ASD, foster care, and adjudicated youth). We are currently recruiting undergraduate research assistants to work alongside other graduate and undergraduate students, and behavior analysts to provide clinical services and support to justice-involved youth. At this time, we only want applications from individuals who can commit to and assist across each semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer). We have a mix of paid and unpaid positions.
- For more information, please email djs0088@auburn.edu and ana0031@auburn.edu. When emailing, please state if you are applying for a paid or unpaid position.
- Recruitment is ongoing and based on an as-needed basis.
Biobehavioral Research on Addiction and INternalizing Syndromes (BRAINS) Lab
- Director: Dr. Richard Macatee
- Recruiting students for Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025
- Interested students should contact Mallory Cannon
Center for Autism Research, Treatment, and Training (CARTT Lab)
- Director: Dr. Sarah Richling
- CARTT is an intensive early intervention campus-based clinic that uses behavioral, research-based instruction to address the individual needs of children ages 2-5 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other related diagnoses seeking 2+ research assistants. Participation in CARTT Lab require enrollment in Psyc 3910, with a 9 hour per week commitment for a minimum of 2 semesters. 5 or more hours must be allocated to our clinic, which operates Tuesdays-Thursdays, 9a-4p with limited hours available on Friday mornings.
- Contact email: cartt@auburn.edu
- Currently recruiting research assistants for Fall 2024.
Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Lab (CAN LAB)
- Director: Dr. Jennifer Robinson
- The Cognitive & Affective Neuroscience Laboratory (CAN Lab) at Auburn University is dedicated to uncovering the neural and physiological underpinnings of emotional and cognitive processes. The lab houses a behavioral psychophysiology lab and an MR-compatible psychophysiological suite at the Auburn University MRI Research Center. Interested students can apply here: http://aucanlab.com/join-the-lab/
- Currently recruiting research assistants for Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025
Kunstman Lab
- Director: Dr. Jonathan Kunstman
- A description of Dr. Kunstman's research can be found here. Interested students should email Dr. Kunstman to apply for a position within the lab.
Language, Attention, and Memory Lab
- Director: Dr. Susan Teubner-Rhodes
- Currently recruiting students for Summer 2024 and Fall 2024
- Interested students should email Dr. Teubner-Rhodes to set up an interview
Research on Eating Disorders and Suicidality (REDS) Lab
- Director: Dr. April Smith
- Recruiting students who can commit to 3 credits and a minimum of 2 semesters
- Currently recruiting research assistants for Summer and Fall 2024; will be recruiting additional research assistants for 2025
Social Cognition and Affective/Moral Processing Imaging (SCAMPI) Lab
- Director: Dr. Samantha Fede
- Students will work up to 10 hours per week, and must commit to 2 semesters
- Contact email: scampi@auburn.edu
Social Interaction and Policy Lab
- Director: Dr. Sara Driskell
- Interested students can submit an application to join the lab here.
- Currently recruiting for Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025
Stress, Health, and Research Methods Lab
- Director: Dr. Gargi Sawhney
- Recruiting students for Summer and Fall 2024 who can commit at least 5 hours each week. Interested students should contact Dr. Sawhney.
Suicidal Behavior & Psychopathology Laboratory
- Director: Dr. Tracy Witte
- Recruiting students who are available Summer and Fall 2024. Summer 2024 availability is preferred.
- Interested students can complete an application found here and email to Dr. Witte (tracy.witte@auburn.edu)
Adolescent and Young Adult Development Lab
- Director: Dr. Diana Samek
- Recruiting at least one student to work in Fall 2024 - Spring 2025
- Interested students should contact Dr. Samek directly: drs0032@auburn.edu