social sciences

Research Opportunity – Neurolinguistics and Neurocomputational Work

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Opportunity Description

The BrainLens Lab invites applications for research assistant positions focused on exploring the neural mechanisms underlying naturalistic language comprehension across populations with diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. This project employs a combination of behavioral and neural methodologies to enhance our understanding of how the brain processes language in real-world scenarios.

Students are expected to conduct literature reviews, participate in data collection, and manage and analyze research data. The position requires less than 9 hours per week, with weekly to biweekly team meetings for progress updates. Course credits are available, and opportunities for publication involvement may arise based on progress and interest.

Student Qualifications
Background or strong interest in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, or a related field.
Basic knowledge of statistical approaches and data analysis tools (e.g., R or Python) is a plus.
Attention to detail and consistency is important.

How to Apply
If you are interested, please send an email to Dr. Chanyuan Gu (kmw24003@uconn.edu) with your resume.

Mentor: Chanyuan Gu, Postdoctoral Fellow
Department: Psychological Sciences
Email: kmw24003@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Ongoing
Campus: Storrs

Social Media and Marketing Strategist

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Opportunity Description

This position will support the publication of a book on the topic of the politics of disability and the US care crisis. The writing relates to the ways ableism (or the devaluation of disability) is embedded into every aspect of our culture and society, which then translates into such things as a lack of care infrastructure and the resulting dependence on the unpaid care work of family members.

I am looking for a student who can assist with social media and marketing. The student will conduct social media research (reviewing and compiling social media accounts and content related to topics covered in the book), navigate social media platforms, organize information gleaned from social media thematically in spreadsheets, synthesize broad trends, and advise on social media plans for the book, all while learning about the nonfiction trade book publishing process.

Student Qualifications
Required:
– Social media literacy with IG, TikTok, and Twitter, and other platforms
– Completed coursework in marketing/publicity, business/communications, and/or journalism

Preferred:
– Experience working in publicity, marketing, or advertising
– Have interest in topics related to disability and/or caregiving

How to Apply
Please submit a resume and brief write up of why you are a fit for the position.

Mentor: Laura Mauldin, Associate Professor
Department: WGSS/SCI
Email: laura.mauldin@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2024, Spring 2025
Campus: Storrs

Research Assistant for Autism Intervention Systematic Review

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Opportunity Description

Join our systematic review project focused on understanding the effects of interventions on the brain and behavior of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We are conducting a comprehensive synthesis of neuroimaging and behavioral data from studies examining pre- and post-intervention changes in individuals with ASDs.

As a research assistant, your primary responsibilities will include:

  • Assisting with full-text screening of articles to determine eligibility based on our inclusion criteria.
  • Extracting data related to study design, participant demographics, intervention characteristics, neuroimaging, and behavioral outcomes.
  • Attending weekly team meetings (45 minutes online) to discuss progress, address challenges, and receive ongoing training and support.
  • Ensuring accuracy and consistency in data coding, and resolving discrepancies collaboratively.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in research methods, systematic reviews, neuroimaging, and autism intervention research. Course credit is available for this role; however, monetary compensation is not available.

Time Commitment: Approximately 4-6 hours per week. Flexible schedule with an expected commitment for the Fall 2024 semester, with the possibility of extension into Spring 2025.

Student Qualifications
Required:

  • Junior or senior with interest in neuroscience, psychology, special education, or related fields.
  • Major in psychology, pre-med, neuroscience, education, or related field.
  • GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Attention to detail and ability to follow complex instructions.
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred (but not required):

  • Previous research experience or coursework in neuroimaging, systematic reviews, or autism spectrum disorders.
  • Familiarity with academic databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus) and citation management software.

How to Apply
To apply, please submit your CV, a brief statement of interest, and your weekly availability for Fall 2024 to deborah.schneider-richardson@uconn.edu at your earliest convenience. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged.

Mentor: Deborah Schneider, Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Department: Psychological Sciences (BrainLENS)
Email: deborah.schneider-richardson@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Ongoing
Campus: Storrs

Research Assistant Opportunity – Fact Checker

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Opportunity Description

This position will support the publication of a book on the topic of the politics of disability and the US care crisis. The writing relates to the ways ableism (or the devaluation of disability) is embedded into every aspect of our culture and society, which then translates into such things as a lack of care infrastructure and the resulting dependence on the unpaid care work of family members. I am looking for a student who can assist with fact checking for the book, which is an important process in all researched/journalistic writing. Duties will include but aren’t limited to:

  • Checking cited references
  • Cross checking field notes
  • Learning how to use citation software
  • Creating bibliographies
  • General support

Student Qualifications
Qualifications:

  • Experience with research
  • Knowledge of fact checking processes

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience working for the school newspaper or in other journalistic endeavors

How to Apply
Please email your resume and a brief write up of why you think you are a good fit for this opportunity to Professor Laura Mauldin (laura.mauldin@uconn.edu.

Mentor: Laura Mauldin, Associate Professor
Department: WGSS/SCI
Email: laura.mauldin@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2024, Spring 2025
Campus: Storrs

Research Assistant at ECOM (Expression, Communication, and the Origins of Meaning) Research Group

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Opportunity Description

As an undergraduate research assistant at ECOM (Expression, Communication, and the Origins of Meaning Research Group), you will play a key role in organizing conferences and talks, contributing to the smooth execution of these academic events. You will also assist with research activities, particularly in conducting literature reviews to support ongoing projects. Additionally, if you have skills in website design, you will help maintain and update the ECOM website, ensuring it effectively communicates our work and events to the academic community. We are especially interested in students from philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, or related fields, as this role offers valuable experience in both research and event coordination, along with the opportunity to enhance your digital skills.

Availability: Must be available to work approximately 9 hours per week, with some flexibility to accommodate key event dates. Specific times will be discussed during the interview process.

Student Qualifications
Academic Background: Must be an undergraduate student majoring in philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, or a related field.

Research Skills: Ability to conduct thorough literature reviews, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking and synthesis of academic materials.

Event Coordination: Interest in or experience with organizing academic events, such as conferences and talks, is preferred.

Technical Skills: Basic proficiency in website design and maintenance is desirable but not required.

Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for coordinating with event speakers, team members, and managing public-facing content.

Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting, as well as independently on assigned tasks.

Attention to Detail: Must be detail-oriented, especially in tasks related to research, event planning, and website content management

How to Apply
Interested students should submit the following materials to apply for this research opportunity:

  • CV/Resume: Include relevant academic background, coursework, and any previous research or event coordination experience.
  • Short Statement: Provide a brief statement (no more than 300 words) explaining your interest in this position, any relevant skills or experience you bring, and your availability.

Please send your application materials to Utku Sonsayar utku.sonsayar@uconn.edu

Mentor: Dorit Bar-On, Professor
Department: Philosophy
Email: dorit.bar-on@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2024, Spring 2025
Campus: Storrs

• Research Assistant in REINVENT-PT Lab

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Opportunity Description

The REINVENT-PT lab (REhabilitation INnoVations & Emerging Novel Technologies in Physical Therapy, PI: Dr. Sudha Srinivasan) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) is interested in understanding developmental trajectories of individuals with neuro-developmental disabilities including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, etc. across the lifespan.

We are interested in studying how infants and children with developmental disabilities explore their physical and social environment compared to typically developing peers and the cascading effects of motor difficulties on a child’s social communication and cognitive development. We are also interested in assessing health-related outcomes in adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities, including their physical activity and physical fitness levels. Based on our understanding of the developmental trajectories of individuals with disabilities, our goal is to develop multisystem, engaging, evidence-based, behavioural interventions and assistive technologies to empower the lives of people with disabilities.

At present, the lab has 4 ongoing research projects – (1) exploring the utility and efficacy of using playful joystick-operated ride-on-toys to promote upper extremity function and spontaneous use in children with hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy both in a camp setting and as a home-based program. Specifically, we are also interested in comparing the efficacy of single versus dual joystick ride-on-toy navigation training in improving uni- and bimanual function in children with hemiplegic CP, (2) assessing the ability of healthy neurotypical children to drive joystick-operated ride-on-toys using their non-dominant side, (3) assessing physical activity and physical fitness levels in adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities compared to age-matched typically developing peers and understanding factors at the personal and environmental levels that influence physical activity engagement in young adults with disabilities, and (4) assessing the effects of a novel, icon-driven Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device on social communication and behavioral skills of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder using a longitudinal study design.

We specifically need help with projects (1) and (2) listed above in terms of recruitment efforts, data collection, and data analyses.

Student Qualifications
We are looking for passionate, energetic, and empathetic undergraduate students interested in working on projects involving infants, children, and adults with disabilities. Students can pursue research at the lab for credit, for work study, and with the potential of converting a subset of the research into an honor’s thesis.

Students are required to commit to pursuing research in the lab for at least 2-3 semesters in order for the experience to be meaningful for students. Students are required to complete CITI training given that our research is with human subjects (details will be provided by the study PI). Students from diverse backgrounds including but not limited to psychology, physiology and neurobiology, biology, exercise science, communication sciences, allied health, and education are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply
Interested students should contact Dr. Sudha Srinivasan at sudha.srinivasan@uconn.edu via email. Please attach your resume/CV and unofficial transcript to the email.

Mentor: Sudha Srinivasan, Assistant Professor
Department: Kinesiology (Physical Therapy)
Email: sudha.srinivasan@uconn.edu
Timing: Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Summer 2023
Campus: Storrs

• Research Assistant in Lab Exploring Outcomes After Pediatric Critical Illness

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Opportunity Description
Dr. Perry-Eaddy is focused on understanding outcomes in children after critical illness. Namely, she is interested in understanding the underlying biological mechanisms that may increase a child’s risk of poor recovery, such as hyper-inflammation. This position will include assisting in the start-up of a study of critically ill children who survive the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The student research assistant will aid in conducting literature reviews, analyzing literature, preparing grants, IRB submissions etc. Additionally the student will aid in the development of research data collection tools, as well as preparation of sample collection kits. The student will learn the essentials of launching a clinical research study. There may be opportunities for the student to have unique opportunities such as writing/publishing a manuscript or poster presentation, answering a research question with existing data, and applying for internal grant funding.

There is a potential opportunity to receive honors course credit, which would be discussed with student and major advisor in advance.

A list of potential tasks the student may perform include the following:
-Conduct literature searches
-Extract information from sources
-Organize and classify data
-Proofread and edit data collection forms in REDcap
-Test data collection forms prior to going live with clinical subjects
-Create sample collection kits
-Assist in maintaining REDcap database
-Look up and check references
-Tabulate and analyze data

Student Qualifications
Required:
-Be an undergraduate student in the Honors Program
-Be able to operate computer, phone, and/or other research equipment
-Have strong communication skills (verbal and written)
-Be able to maintain confidentiality

Preferred:
-While not required, students with interest in clinical and/or translational research are best suited for this position. Especially those enrolled in health-related programs (i.e. nursing, pre-med, allied health, pharmacy, etc.).
-Prior research experience, including literature reviews and/or completion of W-level coursework is strongly encouraged.
-Knowledge of REDcap database is preferred, though not required.

How to Apply
If interested, please submit your resume and cover letter to Dr. Perry-Eaddy (mallory.perry@uconn.edu), addressing your interest in pediatric critical care clinical and/or translational research, and what you hope to gain from the experience.

Mentor: Dr. Mallory Perry-Eaddy, Assistant Professor
Department: Nursing
Email: mallory.perry@uconn.edu
Timing: Ongoing
Campus: Storrs

Research Assistant in Global Environmental Remote Sensing in the GERS Lab

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Opportunity Description

This research project investigates using satellite images for mapping global environmental change, climate change, and sustainability. We will use dense time series of satellite data acquired during day and night time to monitoring, assessment, and projecting landscape change at large scales. More information regarding the GERS Laboratory can be found at this link: https://gerslab.uconn.edu/

We work together with concepts from environmental science, machining learning, climate change, remote sensing, and image processing within a rich interdisciplinary field. We have several projects all focused on mapping and characterizing land change at a continental or global scale. Our lab works closely with scientists from USGS and NASA. As an undergraduate research assistant, you would aid primarily in image interpretation, as well as potentially develop algorithms for Earth observation.

You are expected to receive training to use a high-performance computing facility to process satellite data, aided by a graduate student/postdoc researcher mentor. Once you have gained the knowledge in using remote sensing data, you will be able to collect satellite data in your own interest area and apply remote sensing techniques to extract useful information. The time commitment is flexible and is minimal for a semester (renewal for the future semesters is possible and encouraged). The assistantship will start in the summer of 2021 and going forward. RAs will receive research course credits and authorship (if published) as compensation for the work.

Student Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications (but not limited to):
– Basic knowledge of remote sensing and use of satellite data (e.g., have taken the NRE Remote Sensing of Environment course)
– Experience with programming languages (Matlab, R, Python, or others).
– Strong interest in find answers to big science questions.

How to Apply
Please email zhe@uconn.edu and include a brief description of why you are applying for this position and a resume. Strong applicants will go through a virtual or face-to-face interview with the faculty.

Mentor: Zhe Zhu, Assistant Professor
Department: Natural Resources and the Environment
Email: zhe@uconn.edu
Timing: Summer 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Ongoing
Campus: Storrs

• Research Assistant in Lay Theories of Prejudice Lab – Psychology

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Opportunity Description

Join the Lay Theories of Prejudice Lab led by Dr. Kim Chaney in the Psychology Department for the Fall 2020 semester! The lab is currently conducting research examining how people come to believe anti-White bias is present in our society, how effective confronting anti-Black prejudice is at reducing bias, and how cues in one’s environment shape expectations of experiencing prejudice (or not). Undergraduate research assistants will work directly with Dr. Chaney to develop new study questions, prepare and conduct research, and submit research for presentations and publications. Students will earn up to 3 course credits (PSYC 3889).

Student Qualifications
Students should be interested in the psychology of prejudice and majoring (or considering majoring) in psychology or a related field. Past research experience is not needed.

How to Apply
To apply, please complete an application (https://www.kimchaney.com/join-the-lab) and email to kim.chaney@uconn.edu. Review will begin immediately but opportunity is ongoing. Please also feel free to email with questions!

Mentor: Kim Chaney, Assistant Professor
Department: Psychological Sciences
Email: kim.chaney@uconn.edu
Timing: Ongoing
Campus: Storrs

Research Assistant for Thermodynamic Foundations of Biological Behavior

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Opportunity Description

This research project investigates bio-like properties and behaviors of non-living, self-organizing, physical systems called dissipative structures. The project aims at identifying core physical principles which underwrite biological capabilities by studying non-living bio-analogues. The primary system we study is an electrically driven dissipative structure (as an example watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxoZ0hHN12I).

We braid together concepts from psychology, cognitive science, kinesiology, physics, chemistry, and thermodynamics for a rich interdisciplinary methodology. This project is thus well-suited for undergraduates studying either the life-sciences or the physical sciences, and ideally an interest in both. Our projects for the near future include topics of evolution, learning, and social coordination. As an undergraduate research assistant, you would aid primarily in conducting experiments, as well as potentially designing and building experimental apparatuses. Ideally you will also learn some rudimentary data analysis tools in Matlab, R, or both (programming facility in other languages is also very welcome).

You would receive training to use the experimental systems, aided by a graduate student mentor, as well as a short survey of relevant research articles for conceptual background. Once you have developed some facility with the system, you would begin to run assigned experiments and collect data on your own. You would be expected to coordinate primarily with your graduate student mentor, and secondarily with your faculty mentor. The time-commitment is flexible and negotiable, likely not exceeding 10 hours a week. The assistant position is minimally for a semester, though renewal for future semesters is possible and ideal. The assistantship would begin at the start of the Spring 2020 semester. RAs will receive research course credits as compensation for their work.

Student Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications (but not required):
– Undergraduate-level physics knowledge (especially Thermodynamics and Electricity & Magnetism)
– Experience with programming languages (ideally Matlab and/or R)
– An interest in conducting future research
Required Qualifications:
– Good, consistent, work ethic
– Genuine interest in the topic (though you don’t need specific knowledge or experience)
– Desire to learn new concepts, experimental methodologies, and analysis tools

How to Apply
Please email Ben De Bari at Benjamin.de_bari@uconn.edu and include a brief description of why you’re applying for this position and an up-to-date resume. Strong applicants will go through a brief interview process with the graduate student (Ben De Bari) and faculty (James Dixon) mentors.

Mentor: James Dixon, Professor, Psychological Sciences
Mentor email: james.dixon@uconn.edu
Timing: Ongoing
Campus: Storrs