Become a Research Assistant
Getting Involved as an Undergraduate at LEMMA
A research assistantship in the LEMMA lab is ideal for motivated students looking for real research experience. RAs in this lab are encouraged to participate in every major phase of the research process, from conducting experimental sessions and managing data to background scholarship and idea creation. Dr. Landau and his graduate students actively mentor RAs on the day-to-day operations of running the lab. RAs typically enroll in PSYC 480 or 481 for 3 credits.
RAs in this lab are not burdened with “busy work”; instead, they immediately get involved with hands-on research activities. In this way, they strengthen their ability to solve problems, work in teams, and contribute to long-term projects. Equipped with these skills – and a letter of recommendation touting them – our RAs have gained admission to top-notch graduate school programs, while others have landed positions in the Peace Corps, Teach for America, and AmeriCorps, not to mention diverse internships and jobs in the private sector.
There are many labs you can work in, so why choose the LEMMA lab? In general, you will benefit the most from a research assistantship if you’re a “good match” to the lab you apply to work with. That doesn’t mean that you need to be fascinated with every one of a lab’s projects, but it does mean being “on board” with the values and overall “style” that the lab cares about. The LEMMA lab places a strong emphasis on attention to detail. We believe that conducting a good psychology study is like directing a short play, and doing that right means making sure that all the parts, players, and lines are in place. If you’re the kind of person that other people describe as ambitious, meticulous, and on-the-ball, then you’re probably a good match for us.
If you’re interested, then email graduate students Young-Ju or Amy (their emails are under the Team & Contacts tab). They’ll find a time to meet with you and tell you more about the kind of research we do and what we expect from our RAs. Also, you can tell them more about your experiences, interests, and goals for the future. After that meeting, you (and we) will be in a better position to decide whether or not to move forward with a research assistantship.
RAs in this lab are not burdened with “busy work”; instead, they immediately get involved with hands-on research activities. In this way, they strengthen their ability to solve problems, work in teams, and contribute to long-term projects. Equipped with these skills – and a letter of recommendation touting them – our RAs have gained admission to top-notch graduate school programs, while others have landed positions in the Peace Corps, Teach for America, and AmeriCorps, not to mention diverse internships and jobs in the private sector.
There are many labs you can work in, so why choose the LEMMA lab? In general, you will benefit the most from a research assistantship if you’re a “good match” to the lab you apply to work with. That doesn’t mean that you need to be fascinated with every one of a lab’s projects, but it does mean being “on board” with the values and overall “style” that the lab cares about. The LEMMA lab places a strong emphasis on attention to detail. We believe that conducting a good psychology study is like directing a short play, and doing that right means making sure that all the parts, players, and lines are in place. If you’re the kind of person that other people describe as ambitious, meticulous, and on-the-ball, then you’re probably a good match for us.
If you’re interested, then email graduate students Young-Ju or Amy (their emails are under the Team & Contacts tab). They’ll find a time to meet with you and tell you more about the kind of research we do and what we expect from our RAs. Also, you can tell them more about your experiences, interests, and goals for the future. After that meeting, you (and we) will be in a better position to decide whether or not to move forward with a research assistantship.