PROSPECTIVE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Why are social interactions so important? The SDN Lab under the direction of Johanna Jarcho works to bridge the gap between cognitive, developmental, clinical and social affective neuroscience. It does this by studying brain function and processes associated with social cognition (i.e., interacting with others) that evolve during adolescence and across the lifespan using fMRI, EEG, eye movement, facial expression and behavioral responding during peer-based experiences. The lab builds on concepts from mental health research by examining the boundaries between normal, at risk, and abnormal behavior, to determine how such processes manifest when people anticipate and receive feedback from their peers. The SDN team aims to isolate response patterns that characterize normative development, factors that promote or protect against onset of psychopathology, and those that relate to expression of anxiety and aggression.
RA duties may include, but are not limited to:
1) working on a recruitment team (i.e., community recruitment, interfacing with families, scheduling visits)
2) interfacing with participants while acquiring fMRI, EEG, eye-tracking, and self-report data, and conducting subsequent analysis
3) developing stimuli for experiments, writing scripts for stimulus presentation and data capture; and
4) utilizing and/or improving on current analytic tools used to interpret data
Assisting in research in the SDN Lab is suited for competent, highly self-motivated, meticulous, and conscientious students with an interest in the intersection of neuroscience with clinical, social, and developmental psychology. Successful RAs may have the chance to pursue independent research, making this an ideal position for those considering graduate school.
Furthermore, we are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive environment in our lab. We also believe that the opportunity to obtain lab experience should not be limited to those who have already had some sort of research-based job. Additionally, we want our lab to be accessible to those who have work/life responsibilities that prevent them from volunteering many hours a week for more than a year.
Lab Expectations
We are looking to hire HIGHLY motivated undergraduates looking to jump in and support our lab research in any way possible. We require a 2-semester commitment with around 10 hours of work per week.
There is a 3 month probation period from your hiring date. If you meet all expectations, you will be asked to continue in the lab. On the contrary, if we find that you have neglected the above expectations, you will be asked to leave the lab.