Department of Psychology
Undergraduate Advising Office

Do you have a quick question about the Department of Psychology, the undergraduate major, undergraduate courses, experiential learning, or personal or academic issues that are effecting your academic performance? If so, please feel free to contact the drop-in advisor during the times listed below.

This is a first come, first served opportunity so you may be placed in the waiting area until the advisor is available to help you.

Monday - Thursday, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
To connect with the Undergraduate Psychology Advisor during these designated drop-in times please use this zoom link:
https://pitt.zoom.us/j/9570125740.

Congratulations to our April 2024 Psychology graduates! Here are two important dates to keep in mind.

May 31, 2024 - Transcripts with April 2024 degrees posted will be available through the Registrar's Office (G-3 Thanckeray Hall).

June 17, 2024 - The Registrar's Office will begin mailing diplomas for April 2024 graduates.

https://www.registrar.pitt.edu/graduation-calendar

Supervising Faculty: Dr. Kevin Binning

Graduate Student Research:
Ketura Elie
Rachel Forester

Contact: Ketura Elie (ane48@pitt.edu)

Area of Research: Social Psychology; Higher Education; Sense of Belonging; First-Gen student; Gender; Equity in Education; Self-Affirmation; Intervention Sciences

Description of Research:

We are seeking motivated students to participate in interdisciplinary research in social psychology and educational sciences. Overall, our lab focuses on diversity and equity issues both in the educational and political domain. This call in particular is seeking students to work on projects that examine the effects of a belonging intervention on a variety of psychological and performance outcomes. Interested students demonstrate enthusiasm to learn and engage in conducting research. Students should be prepared to work collaboratively across different project teams, as well as complete independent tasks. Training and supervision will be provided.

Duties of Students:
Students will be trained and involved in various phases of the research process. Students will attend weekly meetings and assist in developing study materials and procedures. Research task will include transcribing and coding open-ended responses; data cleaning and wrangling; and literature review.

Students should be available at least 2 partial days per week for the summer semester . Total hours required per is week 8 to 10 hours. Students will be able to enroll for credits in the Fall/Spring. Previous research experience is not required.

Mentorship:
This will be an opportunity for students to receive mentorship as it pertains to interest in research, statistical training, data / coding, undergraduate thesis, and more.

Addition Requirements:

• 3.0 or higher GPA in the last two semesters (this is flexible; we can evaluate on a case by case basis)
• Minimum 6 credits in Psychology, including PSY0036/0037 (Research Methods)
• Strong motivation to learn about psychology research about: fostering equity in higher education, sense of belonging, self-affirmation, college experience of minorized and first-gen students, broaden access to STEM, Policy
• Dependable with ability to work both collaboratively and independently

If you have questions about positions in upcoming semesters or would like to apply, please contact the contact person listed above to inquire.

My colleague (Dr. Michele Bedard-Gilligan) and I are currently recruiting for a research coordinator position on our NIH-funded grant evaluating a CBT text message intervention for individuals with co-occurring PTSD symptoms and hazardous drinking. This position is an excellent fit for individuals looking to gain additional research experience before applying to graduate programs in clinical or social/personal psychology.

Position summary: The Research Study Coordinator will work full-time (40 hours per week) on research studies involving human subjects. The person in this position will work closely with the Principal Investigators (Drs. Kristen Lindgren & Michele Bedard-Gilligan) and colleagues on NIAAA funded projects. The primary project is an ongoing 5-year clinical trial evaluating a brief, self-directed, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) text message intervention for individuals with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who also endorse hazardous drinking. This position is an outstanding opportunity for individuals interested in gaining more research experience before applying to graduate programs in clinical or social psychology. Position has possibility for occasional Work From Home (1 day a week). The ideal start date for the position would be September 3, 2024 or early September.

Complete job description and information on how to apply here

Direct Supervisor: Martina Poletti
Start Date:      July 1, 2024
Position Code: 2080
Pay Grade: 51
Department: Center for Visual Science
Division: 210450

Purpose:
The Active Perception Lab and the Vision & Psychosis Lab at the University of Rochester is searching for a full-time Human Subjects Research Coordinator who will contribute to a federally funded investigation of fine-scale eye movement differences in psychosis.   Activities include: (a) administering or assisting with clinical assessments (SCID/PANSS) to diagnose participants and to assess symptom severity; (b) assisting with recruiting participants and scheduling appointments; (c) attending weekly lab meetings of Professors Martina Poletti and Brian Keane; (d) maintaining and updating study databases (i.e., REDCap); (e) preparing materials for IRB review; (f) delegating responsibilities to other lab members; (g) preparing written scientific results for publication and conference presentation; and (h) assisting with administrative/ clerical duties as needed.  This position can be viewed as a stepping-stone toward graduate or professional school and we make every effort to get our lab members actively involved in ongoing research projects.

For more details, please see the lab websites of each Principal Investigator: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/labs/keane.aspx
APLab | Welcome (rochester.edu)

For more information on the Center for Visual Science and the UR Psychosis Research Group, please see the following links:
https://www.cvs.rochester.edu
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/labs/schizophrenia-treatment-research.aspx

Essential Duties:

30%     Clinical and ocular assessment
1. Runs or assists with diagnostic, neuropsychological, and symptom-based assessments including the PANSS and SCID.
2. Conducts ocular pathology screening using optical coherence tomography, tonometer, and other ophthalmologic instruments (we will provide training).
3. Implements or assists with protocols for oculomotor testing including use of a dual Purkinje eye tracker and Badal optometer.

30%     Project Management
1. Conducts all study-related IRB correspondence, including: creating initial submissions, protocol amendments and exceptions; drafting protocols, consent forms, and recruitment materials. reporting protocol deviations and adverse events; and submitting annual continuing reviews of active and inactive studies.
2. Collaborates with Professors Keane and Poletti to ensure regulatory and other documents (e.g., NIH progress reports) are complete and on time. 
3. Complete regular subject chart reviews.

30%   Participant recruitment
1. Conducts face-to-face recruitment efforts in local clinics serving people with serious mental illness and at psychiatric residential settings.
2. Assists with recruitment using online resources (social media, CraigsList, etc).

5%    Data Management
1. Ensures the integrity and security of all paper and electronic study data.
2. Oversee data entry and supervise other study staff in using REDCap databases.

5%       Reporting and dissemination
1. Assist in the writing and editing of presentations and publications of study findings.

Requirements
Candidate will subscribe to the University's goal of creating a culturally competent environment by treating research subjects and co-workers in a sensitive and caring manner.  The Research Assistant must complete the Human Subjects Protection Program (HSPP) and NIH's Good Clinical Practice training.

The successful candidate will have at least a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, neuroscience, or a related discipline by the first day of work.  Experience in vision research and oculomotor control is a plus but not required.  Candidates with at least one 1 year of experience in human subject research coordination, or an equivalent combination of education and experience are strongly preferred.  We also strongly prefer candidates who have a car, a valid driver license, and who can commit to two years of service.   The ideal candidate will have strong organizational and interpersonal skills.  Experience or strong interest in administering clinical instruments such as the SCID and PANSS is advantageous but not required.

The start date is flexible but July 1st is preferred.  Applicants are asked to include a CV, cover letter, and a list of three referees (within the cover letter itself).  University of Rochester and local Rochester applicants should apply directly to job id: 242211 via HRMS.  External applicants should submit their applications to Michele Schultz at mschultz@ur.rochester.edu.  Applicants from diverse backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.  Informal inquiries regarding the position are welcome and may be directed to Professors Martina Poletti (Martina_Poletti@URMC.Rochester.edu) or Brian Keane (Brian_Keane@urmc.rochester.edu). 

The University of Rochester is an equal opportunity employer.

https://careers.umich.edu/job_detail/248826/clinical-research-assistant

Position Summary and Responsibilities:

The Emotion and Temporal Dynamics (EmoTe) Lab, Prechter Bipolar Research Program, and Circadian and Sleep Research Lab at the University of Michigan have a collaborative project focused on understanding the role of sleep and circadian functioning in bipolar disorder. This project combines clinical, affective, circadian, and biological sciences to uncover mechanisms underlying mood, energy, and sleep dysregulation in bipolar disorder. This is an ideal position for those interested in pursuing graduate school in psychology/neuroscience or medical school.

With guidance from senior faculty and research personnel, the Clinical Research Assistant (CRC – Assistant) will handle organizational and administrative details of assigned projects, including but not limited to:

1. Participant recruitment (via the Prechter Bipolar Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder, UMHealthResearch, etc.)
2. Perform diagnostic screens, obtain informed consent, and schedule potential research subjects according to study inclusion/exclusion criteria.
3. Coordinate study visits and long-term follow-up of study participants with some oversight of day-to-day operation of project.
4. Study visits include an overnight stay in the Sleep and Circadian Research Lab’s Sleep Laboratory. CRC’s must be willing to supervise these study visits and stay overnight 1 to 2 times per week. Schedules will be adjusted flexibly to ensure adequate recovering from overnights. During overnights it is possible to relax, read, do work, use the computer, and/or sleep if other Sleep Laboratories are not in use. 
5. Collect data and enter into appropriate systems for future analysis.
6. Assess mood in participants, using standardized questionnaires. Perform other study procedures as required by study protocols. Examples of other procedures may include collection, processing & management of biological samples (e.g., saliva, urine), working with mobile phone apps, working with wearable sleep trackers.
7. Assist in preparation of IRB applications, progress reports and other summary materials.
8. Create and manage study materials (Standard Operating Procedures, recruitment materials, etc.)

The CRC - Assistant will act as a liaison between participants and members of the study team. With guidance, this individual will take a lead role in managing the study. This person will be effective at helping with identification of research subjects and recruitment into studies.

Opportunities exist for individual research projects as well as working with faculty members on scientific posters and papers.

This is an in-person position. Individuals in this position will be expected to work onsite at the Rachel Upjohn Building 5 days per week.


Required Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in related field.
2. Some research experience.
3. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
4. Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
5. Quick thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to change tasks quickly and frequently.

Desired (not required) Qualifications:

1. Some understanding of mood disorders
2. Some familiarity with or specific interest in bipolar disorder, mobile mental health technologies or sleep and circadian functioning
3. Familiar with REDCap, or similar data management software
4. Familiarity with MiChart / EPIC / Medical charting systems
5. Ability to work comfortably with biological samples

The Binghamton Mood Disorders Institute, directed by Dr. Brandon Gibb, is seeking to hire two full-time post-baccalaureate Research Assistants to start as soon as July 1, 2024. These are a full-time grant-funded positions to serve as project coordinators for an NIMH-funded R01 examining early markers of risk in infants of mothers with postpartum depression. The study focuses on the development of attentional biases for facial displays of emotion across the first two years of life (assessed during computer-based eye tracking tasks and mother-infant interactions) and the role of infant psychophysiology in the development of these biases. The study also examines transactional relations between mother and infant affect, attention, and physiology within mother-infant interactions at each assessment and across infant development.

Duties will include coordinating participant recruitment, preparation of study materials, and conducting participant assessments (diagnostic and life events interviews, eye tracking, psychophysiology, etc.). The research assistant will also have opportunities to co-author scientific papers and journal articles. This is an excellent position for a college graduate who is interested in gaining additional research experience before applying to graduate school. Salary will be $35,000 per year plus health insurance. For more information about the lab, please visit depression.binghamton.edu

Qualifications include a BA/BS in psychology or related field. Successful candidates will demonstrate a conscientious work style and strong interpersonal skills. Candidates with experience working with infants as well as those with eye tracking, psychophysiological assessments, and/or structured diagnostic interviewing experience are particularly encouraged to apply.

Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. To view the job posting and apply online, go to:
https://rfbu.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=175610

For questions, feel free to contact Dr. Gibb at bgibb@binghamton.edu