PASSWORDMANAGEMENT
The Psychology Department has numerous faculty members actively conducting research focused on specific topics within psychology (e.g. Romantic Relationships, Stress, Autism) in which they are continuously collecting data, analyzing it, and preparing it for publication. Being a Research Assistant (RA) in a faculty member鈥檚 research lab is one of the best ways to get research and applied experience while in school 鈥 not to mention, it looks great on your resume and on your applications to graduate school!
Although serving as a research assistant (RA) is a time intensive and demanding role that requires a high degree of responsibility and professionalism, it can be a great way to get a strong letter of recommendation or job reference from a faculty member too while also working in a team, learning more about research methods and building skills that can be applied to a variety of different careers. Often, you can also get PSYC 499 credit (which counts as a psychology elective) for your work on faculty research (for more information regarding PSYC 498/499, please visit FAQS about Independent Study (498) and Independent Research (499).
| Faculty Name | Research Area(s) | Job Information | How To Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Haylee DeLuca Bishop | Developmental Psychology |
Openings: Ongoing - applications reviewed in the last 5 weeks of the semester for openings in the next semester. Position Details: Research assistants are given the opportunity to help develop and conduct research projects. This includes conducting literature reviews, engaging in guided readings, developing research questions and identifying ways to test hypotheses, recruiting participants, cleaning and analyzing data, writing up results, attending lab meetings, and other tasks as needed. Requirements: Minimum requirements include an interest in developmental psychology, availability to work for 10 hours per week, a commitment for at least two semesters, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. |
How to apply:
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| Dr. Gerardo M. Gonzalez | Clinical Psychology |
Opening Date: August 2019 Openings: Ongoing Position Details: 1-2 Research Assistants Learn animation application skills (content, scene creation, testing, evaluation, data collection, data analyses, write-up results) Requirements: Students must be able to meet for a one-hour weekly lab meeting and commitment to a minimum of 5 hours per week. |
Email Dr. Gonzalez |
| Dr. Lisa V. Graves |
Openings: We review candidates on a rolling, case鈥慴y鈥慶ase basis, guided by the lab鈥檚 current needs and overall fit. Position Details: Student researchers will develop and apply skills in: (1) the administration and scoring of neuropsychological tests; (2) data entry and dataset management; (3) literature search/review; (4) secondary data analysis and interpretation; and (5) in some cases, preparing conference abstracts and presentations. Requirements: Student researchers must have a strong interest in cognitive aging in diverse populations, along with plans to pursue graduate studies in neuropsychology or clinical psychology. Students must also be very detail-oriented and have strong communication and interpersonal skills. Within the first two weeks of joining the lab, students must complete intensive training in neuropsychological testing, a process that typically takes, in total, about 30 hours. Upon fulfilling these initial requirements, students will complete the probationary training period and secure their position in the lab. Students must commit 10+ hours per week for 2+ consecutive semesters during their remaining tenure in the lab. This will ensure students can complete at least two 3-hour study sessions with participants, prep for study sessions, score and enter test data, attend lab meetings, and contribute to the lab in other meaningful ways. Prior completion of PSYC 220 (statistics) and PSYC 230 (research methods) with a B or better is required. Prior completion of, or current enrollment in, PSYC 465 (neuropsychology) with a B or better is strongly preferred. |
If you meet all the designated requirements and are interested, please email Dr. Graves to request a formal application and schedule an interview. | |
| Dr. Nate Carnes | Social Psychology | Political Psychology | Evolutionary Psychology |
Openings: No current openings Start Date: Dr. Carnes is on leave Position Details: You will work as a collaborator in research on politics, morality, and social justice. Experimental Research Assistants will attend lab meetings, workshop study materials, and be an experimenter in human subject research (including fun behavioral economic games). Machine Learning Research Assistants will attend lab meetings and write code to scrape, process, or analyze big data. There are optional opportunities for all students to engage in guided readings, learn new skills, and earn authorship on papers by writing content for Method or Results sections. Requirements: Available for 5 - 10 hours per week. There are no course requirements, but completion of PSYC 220 and 230 is preferred. Machine Learning Research Assistants must have some background in computer science (e.g., programming in Python). |
Email Dr. Carnes (ncarnes@csusm.edu) explaining what research topic you are interested in and why you want to join the lab; please also report your GPA and class year.
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| Dr. Alex Huynh | Social Psychology |
Openings: Not accepting students for Fall 2026, but will consider students for Spring 2027. Position details: Students will take part in the development of research ideas, recruiting participants, designing surveys, and completing literature searches. Students will also be responsible for data entry and data management (e.g., data cleaning through excel/spss). See for the type of research done in this research lab. Lab meetings are held every other week for 1-hr and you will be expected to attend Requirements: Ability to volunteer 5-10 hours a week. There are no strict requirements, but students who have completed Psyc 220 (statistics), 230 (research methods) and 332 (social psychology) are preferred. Previous research lab experience is also a plus. You must be motivated, dependable, professional, and detail-oriented. |
Email: ahuynh@csusm.edu explaining why you鈥檙e interested in joining the lab. If you have a grade transcript or CV, that would also be appreciated in the email. |
| Dr. Sasha Kimel | Social Psychology | Cultural Psychology |
Openings: Please email Dr. Kimel regarding current opportunities in the Position Details: Students working with the Culture and Intergroup Relations Lab have opportunities to contribute to a variety of research, teaching, and project-development activities. Depending on interests, experience, and current projects, research assistants may help with participant recruitment, running studies, coding and analyzing data, conducting literature reviews, providing feedback on study designs, preparing research materials, assisting with graphic design and communication projects, and supporting IRB and grant applications. Students may also have opportunities to contribute to research methods and teaching initiatives associated with Psych 396 (Advanced Research Methods in Social Psychology), including project organization, research communication, data collection activities, and the development of educational materials. Advanced students sometimes design their own studies, assist with manuscript preparation, mentor newer students, help coordinate ongoing projects, or take on leadership roles within the lab. Requirements: Previous research experience is not required. Rather, the most important qualities are intellectual curiosity, attention to detail, reliability, initiative, and timely communication. Strong preference is given to students who are interested in making a longer-term commitment (approximately one year or more). Interest in research methods, statistics, data analysis, communication, teaching, or project coordination is a plus. Students with strong organizational skills and an interest in helping others learn are especially encouraged to apply. |
Please email Dr. Kimel a copy of your resume or CV along with a brief note describing your interests, relevant experience (if any), and why you would like to join the lab. |
| Dr. Janice Phung | Developmental Psychology |
Openings: Openings for Summer and academic year; please email to inquire Position Details: Undergraduate research assistants will hold many responsibilities, including but not limited to the following tasks: Participant recruitment and enrollment, connect with community organizations, data management (e.g., data processing, data entry, data cleaning), assisting graduate students with collecting data from children, adolescents, and adults (at the university lab space and/or traveling to home visits in the regions surrounding San Marcos), coding behavior obtained from video-recordings, conducting literature searches, participation in lab meetings, presenting on research conducted. All RA's will be trained and supervised regularly. Minimum Requirements: Commit to a minimum of 5 hours (up to 10 hours maximum) per week for a minimum of 6 months (12 month commitment preferred). Desired/Preferred Qualifications: Experience and comfort working with people with disabilities and/or youth and families; ability to speak, read, and write Spanish proficiently; Driver's license and reliable vehicle and a willingness to travel locally to regions surrounding San Marcos to conduct home visits with families).
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Application:
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| Dr. Kim Pulvers | Clinical Psychology | Health |
Opening Date: No openings in 2026/2027 Position Details: None at this time. Requirements: N/A |
Go to Dr. Pulvers鈥 Faculty Site to learn about ongoing and completed studies. |
| Dr. Kimberly Vanderbilt | Developmental Psychology | Social Psychology |
Opening Date: Ongoing (with start dates in Summer, Spring/Fall) Position Details: Travel to off-campus children's museum to interview children for our studies, and interact with families. Interviews are typically conducted at the end of each semester, for the summer or following semester. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Requirements: Experience working/interacting with children (formal or informal), availability from 10a-12p, at least 1 day a week, Mon-Sat. |
Go to , go to the "ROCKSTAR lab" tab, download and complete the application OR email kvanderbilt@csusm.edu |
| Dr. Allison Jobin | Developmental Psychology | Clinical Psychology |
Openings: Ongoing - applications received by week 12 of current semester will be more competitive for opening in the upcoming semester. Position Details: Research conducted in the SPARCC Lab is focused on improving community-based services and supports for individuals with autism and their families. We examine practice delivery in community settings and study strategies and adaptations to support delivery of high-quality care fitting of varied child and family contexts. Student researchers assist with literature reviews, participant recruitment and enrollment, data collection/entry, behavioral coding, and related tasks. When relevant to projects, advanced students may be involved in the delivery of intervention procedures to study participants. Requirements: Minimum requirements include the ability to work 8+ hours/week with a commitment of at least 2 semesters and an interest in working with children, families, and community providers. Preference for students demonstrating curiosity about services/supports for individuals with autism and a match between student interest/goals and that of our lab, as well as professionalism, attention to detail, accountability, and openness to learning and feedback. |
Complete an , and also reach out to Jobin Lab to express your interest. I will reach out you following completion of these steps.
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| Dr. Aleksandria Perez Grabow | Clinical Psychology | Counseling Psychology |
Openings: Ongoing. Applications are accepted year-round and are reviewed in the summer for openings in the subsequent academic year (Fall/Spring). Position Details: Participant recruitment and enrollment, data management (e.g., data entry, data cleaning through Excel/SPSS, monitoring electronic data collection), collecting data from children, adolescents, and adults, coding responses, literature searches, participation in lab meetings, and presenting on research conducted. Please see for the type of research projects conducted in the lab. Requirements: Ability to work 10 hours per week and a commitment for a least two semesters. Ability to attend 1-hour weekly lab meetings during the academic year. Applicants with the following qualities will be given the highest consideration: interest/match between student goals and goals of the research lab, professionalism (e.g., communication skills, responsibility, timeliness), motivation and openness to learning and feedback, curiosity, and a demonstrated commitment to the lab. |
Interested students can download and complete the application on the . Please email the completed application to agrabow@csusm.edu |
| Dr. Carrick Williams | Visual Cognition |
Openings: Ongoing Position Details: The Visual Cognition and Tracking Lab examines how vision, attention, and memory all work together in processing the visual world (e.g., objects and scenes). RAs in the lab will: Discuss and develop research ideas; Run experiments in visual cognition; process and analyze data; participate in laboratory meetings. Requirements: Are currently in or have passed PSYC 362. Motivated and interested in cognitive psychology. Committed to work in the lab for at least 2 semesters. |
Email Dr. Williams to request an application. |
| Dr. Yu Zhang | Developmental Psychology |
Openings: Ongoing We offer on-the-job training and provide opportunities for professional development.
As a Research Assistant, you will acquire essential skills that align with your future
career goals in various fields, including education, healthcare, non-profit organizations,
research institutes, family and children's centers, and more.
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Interested students should complete an online . |
| Dr. Hyunjin Koo | Social Psychology |
Openings: Accepting students for Fall 2026 (Applications will be reviewed by the end of the current semester.) Position Details: Students will assist with research procedures, including conducting literature reviews, recruiting participants, running experiments, conducting surveys, and/or managing data. Lab meetings are held every other week for one hour, and attendance is expected. Requirements: We are looking for students who are motivated, detail-oriented, responsible, professional, and able to communicate clearly and professionally. In terms of workload, students should expect to spend 5鈥10 hours per week, though this may vary depending on the week. Students who have completed PSYC 332 (Social Psychology), PSYC 334 (Personality Psychology), PSYC 220 (Statistics), and PSYC 230 (Research Methods) are preferred. Previous research lab experience is a plus, but not required. |
Email / Application Instructions: Please email hkoo@csusm.edu with the subject line 鈥淩esearch Assistant Position.鈥 In your email, briefly explain why you are interested in joining the lab and describe any prior research experience, if applicable. Please also attach your transcript and CV. |