These will be updated as new opportunities become available.
The research opportunities described here are provided by faculty and graduate students who are currently seeking undergraduate research assistants. You are also encouraged to talk with your course instructors and teaching assistants about research projects they are conducting as well as visit faculty members’ individual web pages. Once you have identified laboratories of interest, contact the person listed in the Contact Info column to find out about the availability of research assistant positions as well as the specific laboratory’s application procedures. You are encouraged to do this as early as possible, as some laboratories have a limited number of available positions and fill them before the semester begins.
Behavior Analysis
| Project Title | Project Description | Research Assistant Duties | Contact Person & Info | Requirements | Course Credits? | Willing to Supervise a Senior Thesis? |
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UF Learning and Behavior Clinic |
Our lab conducts behavior analytic research across a variety of topics and populations. Areas of research include: behavioral economics, learning arrangements of children with autism, behavioral pediatrics, movement (tic) disorders, and problem behavior of children with developmental disabilities. We have multiple research sites on and off campus. | Research assistants may complete a variety of tasks from participant recruitment, running participants through tasks, data entry, data analysis, helping with literature reviews, etc. | Garret Hack | Successful completion of or current enrollment in EAB 3002 or EAB 3764. | 0-3 credits available, depending on number of hours worked. | Thesis supervision is available to motivated students who have been hard working and have participated in the lab for several semesters. |
Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience
| Project Title | Project Description | Research Assistant Duties | Contact Person & Info | Requirements | Course Credits? | Willing to Supervise a Senior Thesis? |
| Biological Psychology 03/2020 |
This research opportunity is for someone with interests in biological or medical aspects of psychology. | Research assistant responsibilities include: assisting with data collection, processing and managing endocine and genetic data. General laboratory maintenance, conducting literature reviews, preparing data for presentations and publications, and participation in lab meetings. | For an application please e-mail kerteslab@psych.ufl.edu Principal Investigator: Dr. Darlene Kertes |
Preferred qualifications: Basic knowledge of biology and/or chemistry, including some laboratory coursework or relevant experience. Highly responsible. | 1-3 credits/ 3-9 hours per week or more either for credit or volunteer for two or more semesters. Summer credits are also possible. | Senior theses are a possibility and are discussed on a case-by-case basis with students working in the lab. |
| Spatial Cognitive and Navigational Neuroscience Laboratory Updated 3/2020 |
The SCANN Lab uses behavioral and neuroimaging methods to interrogate all aspects of spatial navigation in humans. We explore the way navigation behavior varies among individuals, is dependent on format, and changes over the lifespan. | Research assistant duties vary depending on the student and project, including: data entry, data coding, data analysis, stimuli and experimental design, pilot testing, running participants on behavioral and/or fMRI experiments, reading and summarizing background literature, presenting findings, writing manuscripts. | For questions or more information, contact Steven Weisberg via email stevenweisberg@ufl.edu Please also consult our lab website at https://scannlab.psych.ufl.edu. | Priority will be given to applicants who are earlier in their career and who have experience or skills with programming, virtual environment design, data analysis, and statistics. Note: None of those skills are required, and preference will be given to students who desire (and can demonstrate their desire) to learn those skills. To apply, fill out an application, here: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dhXXmVDmG0BfgGh | Credit will be given for PSY 4911 (0-3 credits) commensurate with time spent on projects. | Lab members who join before their graduating year are eligible for senior theses, which are otherwise decided on a case-by-case basis. |
| Cognition & Decision Modeling Laboratory 03/2020 |
Our laboratory examines how people make decisions, linking choice behavior to underlying mental processes in order to better understand why and how we decide. Studies examine how people make choices under risk, uncertainty, time delays, different sets of choice options, and how these go wrong in populations like substance users. | Research assistants will attend weekly lab meetings and be involved in experimental design, execution, and interpreting results. They will also read background literature on important topics in decision-making, and research assistants who remain in the lab will learn skills related to programming, machine learning, and statistics. | Please express your interest by filling out the form at https://forms.gle/9CLRhLUUKmbPcQDN7 . If you have questions about the lab or position, feel free to visit our website at https://peterkvam.com/research.html or reach out at pkvam@ufl.edu.
Principal Investigator: Dr. Dr. Peter Kvam |
Anyone can apply, but preference will be given to applicants who have a background in statistics, math, or programming, or who are early in their undergraduate careers and willing to learn these skills. | Credit will be given for PSY 4911 (0-3 credits) per semester, commensurate with time spent on projects. | Lab members who are involved in the laboratory before their senior year will be considered. However, decisions will be made on a case-by-base basis. |
Counseling Psychology
| Project Title | Project Description | Research Assistant Duties | Contact Person & Info | Requirements | Course Credits? | Willing to Supervise a Senior Thesis? |
Developmental Psychology
| Project Title | Project Description | Research Assistant Duties | Contact Person & Info | Requirements | Course Credits? | Willing to Supervise a Senior Thesis? |
|
Life Story Lab |
Our research examines how people use memory of their life’s events to maintain self-continuity, create social bonds, and direct their future. This includes research on empathy, intimacy, and story-telling in daily life. Studies focus on differences between young, middle-aged and older people. Recent work also includes research on death-related memories and memorializing. | Research assistant’s learn through attending weekly lab meetings. Responsibilities in our highly collegial lab may include recruiting participants from the community; conducting life story interviews with young, middle-aged and older adults individually or in small groups; conducting literature searches; transcribing interviews; creating posters to disseminate research results, disseminating research on the web, and other stages of the research process. |
Dr. Susan Bluck Email: bluck@ufl.edu Website: http://www.lifestorylab.wordpress.com |
Anyone can apply. We prefer applicants with previous research experience, or who have taken research methods and statistics, particularly sophomores or juniors. Applicants should be interested in personal memory, life stories and/or aging or end-of-life issues. | N/A | Qualified research assistants have opportunities to do independent research, present at poster research days, or otherwise engage in mentored independent research or the University Scholars Program. Dr. Bluck works closely with such students. |
| Social-Cognitive and Affective Development Lab Updated 3/2020 |
The research in our lab focuses on how and why attention and memory for social and emotional information changes with age. We use a multi-methods approach that combines convergent measures, including self-report, behavior observation, eye tracking, hormonal markers, and functional neuroimaging techniques. | Research assistants are involved in all phases of ongoing research projects. They will be trained in design and set-up of experiments and data collection. They will also contribute to data processing, data analysis as well as graphing and interpretation of results. There will be weekly lab meetings for presentation of data and discussion of lab-organizational and research-related topics. |
Please fill out the lab application on our website (https://ebnerlab.psych.ufl.edu/)under Students -> Join us -> and click complete application at the bottom of the page. Email the filled out application and your CV/resume to psy-ebnerlab@psych.ufl.edu. http://www.psych.ufl.edu/ebnerlab/ (for Application Material) Email: psy-ebnerlab@psych.ufl.edu. Please cc Dr.Ebner on the email: natalie.ebner@ufl.edu |
Preference will be given to applicants who sign up for at least 9 hours per week for two or more semesters. Summer credits are possible. Students can sign up for 0-3 credits and non-students can fill out a volunteer form. | Preference will be given to applicants who sign up for at least 6-9 hours per week (2-3 credits or volunteer) for two or more semesters. Summer credits are possible. | Supervision of senior theses are a possibility for qualified research assistants who have been engaged in the lab for at least 1-2 semesters. |
| International Research on Stress in Africa UPDated 3/2020 |
Responsibilities may include: preparation of data collection materials, processing saliva or hair samples for endocrine assessment, processing or managing questionnaire, video, or biomarker data, conducting literature reviews, preparing data for presentations. | Responsibilities may include: preparation of data collection materials, processing saliva or hair samples for endocrine assessment, processing or managing questionnaire, video, or biomarker data, conducting literature reviews, preparing data for presentations. | For an application please e-mail kerteslab@psych.ufl.edu.
Principal Investigator: Dr. Darlene Kertes. |
Preferred qualifications: Highly responsible, punctual and self-motivated. Good attention to detail. | 1-3 credits/ 6-9 hours per week or more either for credit or volunteer for two or more semesters. Summer credits are also possible. | Senior theses are a possibility and are discussed on a case-by-case basis with students working in the lab. |
| Language and Cognitive Development Lab Updated 3/2020 |
Our research examines the relation between language and cognition in young children. Current studies are examining word learning, and the links between theory of mind, executive functioning, and language. | Research assistant’s responsibilities include testing children at local preschools, data coding, literature searches and other aspects of research. |
Please complete the qualtric survey: https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5omXORPl1ryWWtn Email: |
RAs should have completed DEP3053 and have available at least one 3-hour morning time block available for testing, 8:00 AM-11:30 AM, per week.Students who are fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, or Spanish and can translate spoken language to written English are also needed | You can sign up for PSY 4911 (0-3 credits). | Qualified research assistants may be able to conduct a senior thesis–these decisions are made on an individual basis. |
| Bilingual RA’s Needed for A Study of Stress and Health Updated 3/2020 |
We are currently conducting a study overseas related to peri-natal and early childhood health and development. We are seeking RA’s with proficiency in either French or Swahili. | Responsibilities include: managing behavioral data with mothers and infants (Swahili) or translating medical records (French) pertaining to maternal and child health. The RA will also help prepare data collection materials, and may help manage either behavioral or biological data, depending on the student’s interests in either psychology or medicine. | For an application please e-mail: kerteslab@psych.ufl.edu
Principal Investigator: Dr. Darlene Kertes. |
Preferred qualifications: At least moderate proficiency in either French or Swahili. Good attention to detail, motivated, and responsible. | 1-3 credits/ 3-9 hours per week or more either for credit or volunteer for two or more semesters. Summer credits are also possible. |
Senior theses are a possibility and are discussed on a case-by-case basis with students working in the lab. |
Social Psychology
| Project Title | Project Description | Research Assistant Duties | Contact Person & Info | Requirements | Course Credits? | Willing to Supervise a Senior Thesis? |
| Threat Management Updated 03/2020 |
We examine how people respond to information that threatens desired beliefs about themselves, their abilities, health, relationships, future, and important others. I am particularly interested in optimism, bracing for bad news, and information avoidance. | Running research participants, entering data. | Dr. James Shepperd (352) 273-2165 shepperd@ufl.eduFor an application, go to http://people.clas.ufl.edu/shepperd/. Look under research (above the picture). |
1) Must have done well (B+ or better) in social psychology; 2) 2 semesters minimum; 3) No outside job that takes more than 8 hours a week ; 4) must be at least a sophomore. |
1-3 credits | Rare and only for students who have worked in my lab at least a year and have demonstrated excellent writing skills. |
| Attitudes and Social Cognition Lab UpDated 3/2020 |
We are generally interested in how people form and change the attitudes they have. Our lab is particularly interested in automatic or implicit attitudes and how those types of attitudes influence behavior. We are also interested in how researchers measure different construct | Duties include testing studies, entering data, running participants, and possibly learning to program studies in javascript and qualtrics. All research assistants are also expected to attend bi-weekly lab meetings. | Lab Manager: Jessica Campbell Email: jesscamp616@ufl.edu Faculty advisor: Dr. Kate Ratliff | Prospective assistants should have a general interest in social psychology and research. Further, applicants should also be motivated, responsible, and able to work both in groups and independently. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is strongly preferred. | 0-3 credits; Research assistants that enroll for credit hours are expected to commit at least 3 hours a week for each credit taken. | A senior thesis may be possible. |
| Politics and Implicit Attitudes Updated 10/19 |
Recently, we have been focused on the role of gender in politics, leadership, and the tension between home and career roles. Further, our lab has ongoing interests in implicit attitudes in terms of their structure, measurement, and predictive validity. | At minimum, duties include pre-testing materials and studies, a,/a>nd running participants. All research assistants are expected to attend lab meetings (generally 2 out of every 3 weeks). | Lab Manager: Victoria Colvin Email: vcolvin@ufl.edu
Faculty advisor: Dr. Colin Smith |
Must have taken Introduction to Social Psychology in addition to Research Methods. Personal reliability is strongly important. | 0-2 credits. | A senior thesis may be possible. |
| Web Lab Updated 5/2021 | In the Web Lab we study (a) personality traits (Big Five, Dark Triad, aggression), (b) personality perception of strangers & fictional characters, (b) romantic and sexual relationships, (c) heuristics and biases in perceptions of rare and random events such as natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes), (d) novel applications of cutting-edge data collection and analytic methods to social–personality psychology (e.g., meta-analysis) | Research duties are variable and include activities such as interacting with human participants as experimenters, attending a weekly lab meeting, and reading articles. Research assistants may also take the opportunity to learn how to program studies in Qualtrics and design items for a survey. | Faculty advisor: Dr. Greg Webster (gdwebs@ufl.edu)
**We are NOT accepting new research assistants** |
Applicants should have research interests in social, personality, or evolutionary psychology; or an interest in behavioral economic or judgment and decision making; and an overall interest in scientific research. Applicants should be responsible, punctual, dependable, motivated, and conscientious. A GPA of 3.0 or greater is required. | 0-3 credits; if you plan to volunteer, please be prepared to maintain 6 hours of availability a week. Some weeks may require the full 6 hours and some may require less. | A senior thesis may be possible. |
| Florida Social Cognition & Emotion Lab Updated 3/2020 |
Our research explores the cognitive antecedents and social consequences of thinking and emotion, with a special focus on understanding when and why emotions contribute to destructive social behaviors. We are currently studying boredom, interest, and thinking (and why it’s so hard for so many of us). | Responsibilities include: literature searches, running participants in research protocols, data coding, data entry and management, recruitment, pre-testing materials & studies, survey programming, and manuscript/poster preparation. Attendance at weekly lab meetings is expected. | PI: Dr. Erin Westgate erinwestgate@ufl.edu To apply, complete the application at: https://www.erinwestgate.com/join-the-lab.html. | Positions are competitive – we generally take students with a strong academic record (e.g., GPA > 3.5), but no previous research experience is necessary. All RAs (including volunteers) are expected to commit to at least 6 hours a week. | 0-3 credits; depending on hours worked. | A senior thesis is possible for students who have committed to long-term positions in the lab. |
Other Departments: Clinical and Health Psychology
| Project Title | Project Description | Research Assistant Duties | Contact Person & Info | Requirements | Course Credits? | Willing to Supervise a Senior Thesis? |
| Pediatric Behavioral Health Lab | Projects focus on psychosocial aspects of pediatric chronic illnesses including how health behaviors, adherence to treatment regimens, and the child-caregiver relationship impact adjustment and morbidity. Current projects predominantly focus on youth diagnosed with asthma and their families. Examples include developing and evaluating family-based interventions for youth diagnosed with asthma that may improve weight status, disease management, and asthma control. | Recruiting participants in pulmonary clinic, attending study assessment and treatment meetings for projects, assisting with preparation of assessment and treatment materials, and data entry. | Andrew McConville, Lab Coordinator andrew270@phhp.ufl.edu Faculty advisor: Dr. David Fedele |
Students must be willing to make at least a three semester commitment. Summer availability is preferred but not required. Please email Andrew McConville if interested. Applicants will be sent an application and an in-person interview may be scheduled. Applicants should be highly motivated, dependable, and responsible students who are able to communicate effectively with undergraduate and graduate student colleagues, children, parents, and medical professionals, as well as work well with others in medical settings. High attention to detail is a must. Students must be able to think critically, participate in lab discussions, work independently, and conduct themselves professionally. | Course credit will be discussed on an individual basis for qualified research assistants who have been engaged in the lab and demonstrate a strong commitment to research. | Senior theses will be discussed on an individual basis for qualified research assistants who have been engaged in the lab for at least a year and demonstrate a strong commitment to research. |
| Parent Training – Feeding (PT-F) in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder | The aim of this study is to determine the effects of a parent training program targeting feeding problems in young children with autism.Other projects with young children diagnosed with autism will also soon be conducted. | Research assistants will assist with recruitment efforts, the assessment of young children, and assist with the treatment sessions. Other roles will be with the data collection and entry and manuscript preparation. | Please contact Cynthia Johnson, PhD (352 273-6734); johnsoncr@phhp.ufl.edu |
Research assistants are expected to be punctual, professional, and comfortable with young children. | Can be discussed and considered on an individual basis | This may be discussed and will be considered if RA has been working on the research for 2 semesters. |
| Cognitive Neuroscience Lab at the UF Fixel Center for Neurological Diseases/Bowers Lab | Our research focuses on the neuropsychology of cognition and emotion, with specific emphasis on the role of limbic, basal ganglia, and cortical systems in mediating different aspects of emotional behavior. Current research focuses on psychophysiological and electrophysiological signatures of apathy and depression, emotion regulation and executive function, and the interactive effects of cognitive training and novel therapies (e.g. near-infrared stimulation, mindfulness) on mood and cognition. We use a variety of tools (startle, ERP, pupillometry, computational modeling) to facilitate hypothesis-driven research, and we collaborate with imaging experts. January 2019: We are recruiting research assistants for 2 new projects using Near-Infrared Stimulation (NIR) as an intervention for improving cognitive performance in 1) Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients; “Revitalizing Cognitive and Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease” and 2) healthy older adults; “A Pilot Intervention with Near Infrared Stimulation: Revitalizing Cognition in Older Adults”. | Research assistants are expected to devote at least 6 hours per week to the lab. Generally, responsibilities include attending weekly lab meetings, assisting with preparation of assessment materials, maintaining datasets, recruiting and scheduling study participants, and administering experimental interventions to study participants. | Please email Brittany Rohl brohl@ufl.edu if interested. Applicants will be sent an application and an in-person interview may be scheduled. | Applicants should be highly motivated, dependable, responsible students who are able to communicate effectively with undergraduate and graduate collaborators and medical professionals, as well as work well with others in medical settings. Attention to detail is a must. A 2-semester commitment is required. Summer availability is preferred. | 0-3 credits depending on number of hours worked | Yes, discussed on an individual basis for qualified research assistants who have been engaged in the lab for at least a year and demonstrate a strong commitment to research. |
| Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory | Our lab has multiple research opportunities: A Department of Defense funded study to dissociate mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans using functional MRI techniques. A VA pilot study that involves attentional rehabilitation in Veterans who have suffered from moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. A behavioral and cognitive study of memory and movement in Parkinson’s disease. |
Assist with participant recruitment (e.g., post fliers, talk about study to interested groups, etc.); data scoring & input; administrative support (photocopies, filing, etc.) for studies; highly motivated and skilled research assistants may administer neurocognitive tests to participants; attend and participate in lab meetings; other duties as necessary. |
Send resume to Dr. William Perlstein wmp@phhp.ufl.edu and please CC Zachary Houck jzhouck@phhp.ufl.edu | Ideal candidates are highly motivated, conscientious, reliable, and achievement oriented. We prefer applicants who can make at least a two semester commitment, and have graduate school aspirations. Students must be able to think critically, be professional, and eager/willing to help in recruiting effort. |
Ideal candidates are highly motivated, conscientious, reliable, and achievement oriented. We prefer applicants who can make at least a two semester commitment, and have graduate school aspirations. Students must be able to think critically, be professional, and eager/willing to help in recruiting effort. | Opportunities for a senior honors thesis are available for responsible, highly motivated students who demonstrate a commitment to research. |
| Child-Parent Communication and Mood Project (CHOMP) Pediatric Psychology Lab
Longitudinal Evaluation of Sleep and Fatigue in Pediatric IBD – Pediatric Psychology Lab |
The main goal of the lab is working to understand the relationship between pediatric child health, behavior, and psychosocial functioning. The primary focus of current research is the prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity and types 2 diabetes. The current study seeks to investigate the relationship between acute stress and parent-child engagement in a population of overweight mothers and preschool age children.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by prolonged inflammation in one or more areas of the gastrointestinal tract. Individuals with IBD diagnosed in childhood are more likely to have faster disease progression and more severe intestinal involvement than those diagnosed in adulthood. Untreated sleep disturbances and fatigue are concerning for children with chronic conditions, like IBD, given that they may worsen disease progression and the severity of disease-related symptoms. The purpose of the current study is to identify longitudinal contributors (e.g., family functioning, child psychopathology, disease activity, sleep environment) to poor sleep quality and fatigue in pediatric IBD. |
As part of this project, video recordings of mothers and children interacting in a free-play setting were obtained. In order to measure “engagement” between moms and their children, recordings need to be coding for behavioral observations. RAs interested in working on this project would have the unique research experience opportunity to work in a team to code video data.
Research assistants will be responsible for collaborating with interdisciplinary professionals to identify pediatric patients that are potentially eligible for participation. They will enroll children and their parents for the study during their gastroenterology visits at the UF Health Medical Plaza building. They will also collect data from participants by having them complete questionnaires on iPads during the clinic visit. Students will also help give reminder calls and send emails to participating families. |
To request an application, email the supervising graduate student, Rachel Gonzalez, at rgonzaezlouis@ufl.edu
Please send your CV or resume to Erin Moorman at erin.moorman@ufl.edu. Faculty advisor: Dr. David Janicke |
RAs are expected to be able to commit 6-8 hours a week and be available during the Spring 2020 and Summer C 2020 semesters, with the potential opportunity to continue working in the lab past summer for those who may be interested. Work hours are flexible. Applications are open to undergraduate students from all majors and grade levels.
Research assistants are expected to be able to commit to volunteering for the study at least one morning (8 am – 12 pm) a week during the Summer C 2022 semester. There will be the option for continued involvement in the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 semesters. Research assistants are expected to be punctual, professional, and good communicators. All research assistants must be fully vaccinated for COVID and will be required to wear masks while in the gastroenterology clinic. |
Volunteering and/or working for credit are options.
Course credit will be discussed on an individual basis for qualified research assistants who have been engaged in the lab and demonstrate a strong commitment to research. |
Senior thesis opportunities are considered on a case-by-case basis for outstanding students who have been involved in the lab for several semesters.
Senior thesis opportunities are considered on a case-by-case basis for outstanding students who have been involved in the lab for several semesters. |
Other Departments: Business/Educational Psychology
| Project Title | Project Description | Research Assistant Duties | Contact Person & Info | Requirements | Course Credits? | Willing to Supervise a Senior Thesis? |
| Cognition and Reading Lab | This research investigates the role of working memory in complex cognitive tasks and/or the relationship between discourse comprehension and representation. | Research assistants will gain experience in several areas, including but not limited to: brainstorming topics, literature searches, stimuli generation, helping to collect data, and instruction in writing up experimental results. | For an application please refer to: http://education.ufl.edu/therriault-lab/sample-page/undergraduate-research-assistant-application/”. Send completed applications to Dr. David Therriault Email: therriault@coe.ufl.edu |
A two semester commitment is required. Cognitive Psychology (EXP 3604) is preferred but not required. There will also be a weekly one-hour lab meeting. Research assistants MUST be punctual, mature, and professional as you may need to interact with research participants. Interests in cognition and/or education are desirable. Must work well with others as coding may involve working with a partner. | Students must be willing to work 6-8 hours per week and work at a consistent time each week. Would prefer students to work two consecutive semesters. |
Students may be able to develop a thesis project related to the study topic but would first have to show a commitment to the lab. Keep in mind that 2-3 semesters of work is required to complete a thesis.
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