Research Assistants

Undergraduate Research Assistants Needed.

The major purpose for undergraduate research is to provide an opportunity for qualified undergraduates to obtain firsthand, supervised research experiences in psychology. Students may assist professors and/or graduate students with a research project by helping to prepare the study, collect data, and/or enter data into computers.

Students can obtain pass/fail elective credit for their assistance if desired, or they can serve as a research assistant voluntarily. Whichever option is selected, obtaining research experience can be a valuable asset when applying for graduate school or jobs after graduation.

Please read each project description carefully, and contact the professor or graduate student listed for further information.

Project: Risky Internet Behavior and Online Security Threats

Date Posted: March 11, 2013
Description: The purpose of this study is to determine what risks internet users take and why they make these risky decisions.
Duties: Student will be asked to run multiple research sessions with approximately 10 participants in each session. These sessions will take place in the months of April and May. There will also be opportunities to continue on with this project over the Summer and Fall semesters if the student is willing. Future duties may include entering and analyzing data, background research, and grant-writing.
Minimum requirements: No previous research experience, or knowledge is necessary, however, the successful applicant should be reliable, organized, detail-oriented, and responsive to email. Students should have a 3.0 GPA to apply.
Research assistant positions open: There are currently 4 open positions.
Contact info:
Additional information: PSY 496 course credit is available and recommended for students interested in this project.
Application Instructions: Email Kyle Sandell at kyle.sandell@colostate.edu with a brief statement of interest to set up a meeting.
Application Deadline: Applications should be submitted by the end of April. If a student is interested in working during the Summer or Fall semesters, he/she can apply up to the end of the Spring 2013 semester.

Project: Human Interactions with Automation

Date Posted: April 16, 2013
Description: Conducting research into individual cognitive abilities, situation awareness, and training while people interact with various automated and non-automated systems. This research will inform future research and potentially operators of complex systems, such as unmanned drones and high-tech aircraft.
Duties: Aid in data collection, data analysis, organization with the lab. Participation in developing experimental protocols and future collaborative projects are also possible if the student is so motivated.
Minimum requirements: 3.0+ major/Psychology GPA required; the career goals of the student will play a role, self-motivation and responsibility are highly desired, and any bonus skills such as XML or Java programming experience will greatly help you.
Research assistant positions open: We will bring on 6+ students for the Fall 2013 semester, with continuing opportunities to remain in the lab until student's respective graduation date.
Contact info: Robert Gutzwiller: robert.gutzwiller@colostate.edu
Additional information: This is an excellent opportunity for those students considering experimental psychology, cognition, and human factors research and practice. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis while this posting is active.
Application Instructions: Send a BRIEF (1-2 paragraph) email including: 1) your name, 2) your current Psych GPA, class (first-year, sophomore, etc.), skills, and 3) why you want to gain experience in our lab to robert.gutzwiller@colostate.edu
Application Deadline: August 31, 2013

Project: The Experience of Meaningful Work among Lower Social Status Workers: A Consensual Qualitative Research Approach

Date Posted: March 13, 2013
Description: This qualitative study explores how people who correspond to the lower spectrum of social status experience meaning in their work using a Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) methodology. This project is funded by the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (Division 9 of the American Psychological Association). The research team consists of three graduate researchers under the supervision of Dr. Bryan Dik and Dr. Michael Steger.
Duties: Undergraduate RA's will mainly be responsible for transcribing interview data, and may also assist with participant recruitment, survey distribution, data management, and literature review. Students will be provided with the opportunity to participate in monthly CQR training workshops.
Minimum requirements: Interested candidates should be Psychology majors (sophomore standing or above); possess a GPA of 3.3 or higher; be interested in qualitative research; be self-motivated, reliable, conscientious, and detail-oriented; have the ability to work independently; and be willing to attend research meetings. Weekly hours are flexible, but students should be able to meet deadlines. Position to start ASAP and may require some work during Summer 2013 if data is still being collected.
Research assistant positions open: 1-2 positions are currently available
Contact info:
Application Instructions: Email Yerin Shim, M.A. (Principal Investigator) at Yerin.Shim@colostate.edu to schedule an appointment if you're interested.
Application Deadline: March 30, 2013

Project: Development of Integration Health Psychology Clinic

Date Posted: 5/9/2012
Description: The Psychological Services Center (PSC) at CSU is opening an Integrative Healthy Psychology Clinic. This clinic will emphasize a treatment model that values the mind-body connection in utilizing behavioral medicine interventions and lifestyle changes (i.e. exercise, nutrition, sleep) to improve mental health and psychological functioning. The clinic in still in the developmental phase, and we are requiring assistance in organizing and compiling materials to open the clinic.
Duties: We are looking for a student assistant that will help the director and assistant director in the development and organization of the the IHP clinic during the summer of 2012. Duties may include making fliers, meeting with members of the community for recruitment, and assist therapists in prepping and organizing for therapy groups, as well as formatting and entry of data that may be collected. If interested and seems to be a good fit with the rest of the team, the student may continue in the Fall. Other duties may come up as needed.
Minimum requirements: We are looking for a student with an interest in health psychology and/or clinical/counseling psychology or related field. Student must be at a junior or senior level with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Student must also be available for at 6 hours per week (2 credits).
Research assistant positions open: 1
Contact info: Those interested in applying should contact Dr. Kathy Rickard (kathryn.rickard@colostate.edu) or Lauren Millard (lauren.millard@rams.colostate.edu). Please include an updated CV or resume along with a statement of interest in joining this project.
Application Instructions: Email or call the contact for this project.
Application Deadline: Until Filled (but as soon as possible)

Project: How does training affect an individual?

Date Posted: March 22, 2013
Description: The Industrial/Organizational Psychology Team is researching what affects the training a person receives. The project will be underway during the Summer 2013/Fall 2013/Spring 2014 semesters and will focus on virtual training.
Duties: The students will be expected to put in 6-8 hours of work per week for most of the Summer 2013, Fall 2013, and Spring 2014 Semesters. The specific hours will be flexible. The research assistant will gain experience in running research studies, administering survey’s, entering and analyzing data and assisting in background research. The research will be especially useful for those interested in Social or I/O Psychology as a career or for those who may wish to do research in these fields in future semesters, whether as part of a lab team, independent research, or honor’s thesis project.
Minimum requirements: The successful applicant should be reliable, organized, and detail-oriented. A commitment of around 6 hours a week for most of the weeks of the Summer and Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 semesters is required. A GPA of 3.3 or higher strongly preferred. No previous research experience or knowledge is necessary.
Research assistant positions open: 6
Contact info: Rachel Marsh at Rachel.marsh@colostate.edu.
Additional information: PSY496 course credit is available and recommended.
Application Instructions: Interested applicants should e-mail a brief statement of interest to Rachel Marsh at Rachel.marsh@colostate.edu.
Application Deadline: Until filled.