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
(Updated October 2024)
AppearanCe Concerns, Eating, Prevention, and Treatment (ACCEPT) Lab
- Director: Dr. Tiffany Brown
- We are current recruiting students who are interested in working on a study evaluating an LGBTQ+ affirmative eating disorder treatment.
- We are recruiting students who can commit to registering for 3 credits of PSYC 3910 or a related course for a minimum of 2 semesters.
- 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 Summer 2025 into Fall 2025.
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
Falligant Lab
- Director: Dr. John Michael Falligant
- Psychology majors and minors have the rare opportunity to gain hands-on experience working on NIH-funded research as undergraduate research assistants (RAs) in the Neurobehavioral Dynamics Laboratory. Our lab is currently working on three projects funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and one project funded by the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, offering students a unique chance to contribute to high-impact research typically reserved for graduate-level study and beyond.
- What is involved as an RA? RAs in our lab can participate in various aspects of the research process, including data collection, behavioral coding, neurobehavioral assessments, and running studies. Additionally, RAs will engage in lab meetings, literature reviews, and have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and other lab members.
- Why participate as an RA? This is a rare opportunity for undergraduates to gain experience with NIH-funded research, which can significantly bolster your research skills and strengthen your graduate or professional school applications. Working alongside faculty and graduate students provides unique mentorship opportunities and fosters academic growth, preparing you for advanced research careers in psychology, neuroscience, and related fields.
- Can I get course credit as an RA? Although many positions are volunteer-based, RAs may have the opportunity to earn course credit, such as through PSYC 3910 Supervised Research Experience (with faculty permission). These positions require a commitment to assist for at least two semesters. There may be opportunities for paid positions as well, depending on project need and RA qualifications.
- How do I get involved? To explore current opportunities, contact Dr. John Michael Falligant at jmf0031@auburn.edu. A strong interest in neurobehavioral assessment, behavior analysis, and applied research is preferred. Please submit a brief statement of interest and availability, along with your CV, if you’re interested in contributing to our ongoing projects.
- Note: A two-semester commitment is required, and it's advisable to apply early in your academic career to maximize research involvement and gain strong recommendations from faculty.
Families: Leveraging Opportunities for Wellbeing and Resilience (FLOWER) Lab
- Director: Dr. Jennifer Somers
- Seeking research assistants for Spring 2025. Ideal candidates would be able to commit 10 hours/week for 1 year
- If you are interested in volunteering, please send a copy of your CV, your hours and days of availability, and a brief description of what you would like to get out of a volunteer experience in the FLOWER Lab (including any credits needed) to the following email address: auburnflowerlab@gmail.com
Kunstman Lab
- Director: Dr. Jonathan Kunstman
- Currently recruiting 1-2 students to help conduct a research study examining discrimination's effect on sleep health
- 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 Spring 2025; openings anticipated for Summer and Fall 2025
- 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 Spring 2025 and beyond
Social Affect and Behavior Integrative Neuroscience Lab
- Director: Dr. Travis Evans
- The SABIN Lab aims to better understand the motivational and neural processes that contribute to social avoidance behavior in psychopathology. Current/developing studies in the SABIN Lab use a variety of methods such as social cognition paradigms, eye tracking, neuroimaging (fMRI), and brain stimulation (TMS). We are interested in undergraduate students who can commit to volunteering in the lab for 9 hours per week for a minimum of 2 semesters (PSYC 3910 course credit is an option for interested students). Especially motivated students who can commit to a longer time period in the lab can also assist with fMRI scanning/brain stimulation and learn how to process/analyze fMRI data.
- Currently recruiting volunteer research assistants for Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025
- Interested students can complete an application to join the lab here
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 Spring 2025
Stress, Health, and Research Methods Lab
- Director: Dr. Gargi Sawhney
- Recruiting 2-3 students for Spring 2025 (and possibly Fall 2025) who can commit at least 5 hours each week. Interested students should contact Dr. Sawhney.
Adolescent and Young Adult Development Lab
- Director: Dr. Diana Samek
- Recruiting students for 2025
- Interested students should contact Dr. Samek directly: drs0032@auburn.edu