ABC Lab Volunteer Research Assistant Scheme
This scheme is open to students studying psychology at the University of St Andrews.* See at the bottom of this page for application information.
What is an ABC Lab Research Assistant?
An ABC Lab Research Assistant is a psychology student who volunteers to help other students and staff with their research projects. This could involve assisting during and after an experiment and participating in outreach and public engagement activities. These responsibilities could take place in local schools and nurseries, St Andrews Aquarium, Dundee Science Centre, Edinburgh Zoo, and of course the ABC Lab!
How will I assist during and after an experiment?
This depends on the study you are assisting with. It could involve meeting and greeting participants and their families, explaining an experimental task to a child and their parents, recording a child’s responses to a test, and even conducting the test itself e.g. performing a puppet show. After the experiment you may also help with data coding and interpretation.
What is outreach and public engagement?
Outreach activities involve going into local schools and nurseries and teaching children about psychology topics including wellbeing, resilience and neuroscience. You may have the opportunity to assist with or, once trained, lead outreach sessions.
The ABC Lab also attends public engagement events to share our research with adults and children in the general public. We use these events to promote understanding and awareness of what developmental psychology is, and why it is important. These events are typically science fairs and festivals in and around Fife. You will have the opportunity to play games with children and then explain the psychological research behind their behaviours.
What are the benefits of becoming an ABC Lab research assistant?
Gaining research experience is great preparation for your dissertation or thesis and is essential for those wishing to complete further study (e.g. MSc and PhD). Research experience is also useful if you are interested in entering fields such as developmental psychology, educational psychology and clinical psychology. You will also gain experience relevant to becoming a teacher or working in science communication. If you volunteer with us for more than 20 hours, we will provide an official certificate of work which you can use to enhance your CV and support postgraduate and research applications.
How does it work?
Once you have joined the scheme (see below), the ABC lab will notify you of research opportunities via a Teams channel. These opportunities will also be posted on the website.
*Under certain circumstances, students external to our school will be considered.
Testimonials
“I was a research assistant for a postdoctoral researcher. In this position I helped to set up and pack up equipment, recruit children for the experiment, engage with children and parents during the experiment and provided technological assistance. The experience allowed me to develop my communication skills as well as learn about rigorous research procedures.” – Pia, 3rd year undergraduate studying Psychology.
“I worked as a research assistant in the ABC Lab in the summer before my fourth year. I assisted staff and students testing infants and children, recruited and scheduled participants, attended outreach sessions at a local nursery, represented the ABC Lab at public engagement events, coded data for a PhD student – and more! It was great to help with such a variety of projects, and it has given me an idea of what it would be like to work in a research group. It has also shown me practically how research is carried out which will give me more confidence when planning and completing my dissertation next year.” – Suzi, 3rd year undergraduate studying Psychology.
“I started working as a research assistant with the ABC Lab during my third year, helping a PhD student with her project. What began as keeping children occupied while their siblings were tested soon turned into a summer scholarship to wrangle equipment, recruit participants, explain the project to parents, and run testing sessions on my own – in other words, my first real taste of what went into developmental research! I had the good fortune to keep working with the ABC Lab for my dissertation, building confidence in my research skills even as I engaged in public outreach and forged connections with members of staff and postgraduate students. Now I’ve come back yet again, but this time as a PhD student in developmental psychology… Safe to say that I just can’t stay away!” – Laras, first year PhD student
How do I apply?
Click here to complete an online application form. Once you complete this form, we will add you to a Teams channel where all volunteering opportunities will be posted.
