Research Assistants (RAs) in the lab assist with all aspects of our research, including with participant recruitment, experiment scheduling, collecting behavioral data, conducting literature reviews, and assisting with basic data analysis. Previous RAs have gone on to complete independent research projects, and many make the decision to pursue graduate studies in social and clinical psychology. We also have sent students off to medical school, law school, and social work programs! RAs can work for our lab on a volunteer basis or for course credit.

Volunteer

LIRSM accepts volunteers to assist with research most semesters. Volunteer RAs usually work from 6-20 hours/week and, if a good fit, are given priority for course credit, work-study and paid positions when they become available. It is desirable for potential RAs to have previous research experience, but we welcome applications from all interested students!

Credit

Undergraduate and postbac students with excellent academic records can work as research assistants for credit (either supervised individual research or honors research). Our credit-to-hours ratio is three hours in the lab per credit. With few exceptions, we require research assistants receiving credit to work a minimum of 9-12 hours/week (3-4 credits), plus attendance at lab meetings. We require that you volunteer for at least one semester at LIRSM before requesting research for course credit.

Work-study

Students who are eligible for work-study positions can work as research assistants, usually for 8-10 hours/week. We require that you volunteer for at least one semester at LIRSM before requesting work-study.

Summer Internship

If you wish to work in the lab during the summer, we ask that you secure funding via Columbia or external fellowships or work in the lab on a volunteer/credit basis. Part-time and full-time summer internships are available. 

Apply

To begin the application process, please:

• fill out this interest form 

• send a confirmation email to lirsm@columbia.edu and jas2520@columbia.edu

Positions are competitive and interviews are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in applying, the best time to submit an application is prior to the start (a few weeks before) of the semester. We look forward to hearing from you!

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our lab manager John Schupbach, jas2520@columbia.edu.