Joining the Cognitive Development Lab as a Research Assistant (RA) is a unique opportunity to step out of the classroom and into the world of active scientific discovery. Undergraduates can develop expertise in the research process while working closely with Dr. Hanako Yoshida and our team of graduate students. 

Whether you are planning for graduate school, medical school, or a career in education, the skills you develop here - from technical data analysis to professional communication - will provide a strong foundation for your future.

We are committed to the success of our undergraduate and post-baccalaureate members; being an RA is a significant but rewarding commitment. We look for students who are reliable, detail-oriented, and share our enthusiasm for research in child development.

Opportunities & Professional Growth: 

• Weekly lab meetings for research development, progress, and troubleshooting.
• Student-focused workshops for professional development (e.g., CV/Resume development and navigating the graduate school application process).
• Opportunities for senior honors theses, course credit projects, and conference presentations.

Competitive scholarships such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) and the Provost's Undergraduate Research Scholarship Program (PURS).

Responsibilities: 

• Behavioral Annotation - transcribing and translating audio; counting and time-stamping specific actions such as attention, object manipulation, and gestures.
• Community Outreach - organizing recruitment events, scheduling studies, and building research partnerships with local institutions.
• Research Studies - hands-on data collection with physiological systems (eye-tracking, EEG, ECG), standardized assessment administration, and child supervision.
• Lab Management and Operations - data entry, creating flyers and digital content, and cleaning and sanitation protocols.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.
  
  

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  If you are ready to contribute to our understanding of the "growing scientist," the first step is to complete our application. Qualified applicants will be contacted for interviews. 

  Volunteers: The application and more details about our volunteer position can be found here.

  Work-Study: The application for our work-study position can be found on Cougar Pathway. If you cannot find it, please contact us directly for information on when the application will next be available.

  Course Credit, Honors Thesis, SURF, PURS, and other opportunities: Students interested in these opportunities should contact Dr. Yoshida directly.

   

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