Post-Bac Jobs in Research

Types of Positions

There are a number of areas and programs specializing in research, and with a degree or experience in Psychology, understanding the mind is critical and valuable when collecting and assessing the impact of data. Note that often these positions are often term-limited and may only be guaranteed for a year or two.

How to Be a Competitive Applicant

• Have a bachelor’s degree
• A year or more of research experience
• Good references and recommendation letters
• Professionalism and attention to detail
• Being able to design, run, analyze, and write up your own research
• Experiences in leadership and managing within the context of research
• Interest/experience in data management and using Excel or other computer programs
• Contribution to publications

Tips from Graduate Students and Lab Managers

• "Take a gap year or three. Get some practical experience before you make the commitment of grad school."   
• "Lab positions don't need to be in the exact area you want to apply to, though it can be helpful. Lab positions give you a chance to learn the research process more thoroughly and you can learn skills that can be applied across topics."
• "Learn how to function independently but cohesively in a group. Asking questions and getting clarification is a great, but learn to tackle things you’ve been trained on without being coddled."
  

Where to Find Positions

• Check out the Psych Dept Weekly Newsletter
• Email PIs whose work you find interesting
• Bi-weekly recent grad newsletter
• Tell your professors, PI's, and grad students in your lab that you are looking for position (and to keep you in mind if they hear of anything)
  
• University Career websites
  
• Professional Organizations websites such as American Psychological Association (APA), Association for Psychological Science (APS), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Psi Chi International Honor Society