Paid RA positions?

[ofallthatis]

Hello,

I am new to this forum but have been browsing around a bit and this place seems really helpful! I was wondering though, how one goes about looking for a paid research assistant position. Does anyone have some advice? I have been out of school for a while, would like to go back for a PhD but want to get some more research under my belt, so any guidance would be appreciated. Thank you.

[carlyhylton]

<br>Hello,<br><br>I am new to this forum but have been browsing around a bit and this place seems really helpful! I was wondering though, how one goes about looking for a paid research assistant position. Does anyone have some advice? I have been out of school for a while, would like to go back for a PhD but want to get some more research under my belt, so any guidance would be appreciated. Thank you.<br>

<br><br>I think it probably depends on how the institution centralizes available postings etc, but I personally found postings on my university's (York University) career centre job posting site, as well as on faculty's profiles. I'm currently looking to switch labs for the summer to gain different experience and experience specific to my research interests, and so I am currently looking at labs across Canada. I'm finding info by looking at faculty profiles, some schools have a list of labs, with specific info on how to apply.<br>Also, keep research institutes outside of the university in mind. Hospital, and mental health research institutes sometimes have RA placement<br><br>Of course you'll always have to write to the prof your looking to work with detailing why you want to work with him be it in the form of an inquiry or cover letter. I would recommend emailing the prof, detailing why you would want to work with them even if you have applied to a lab manager, or through a postings website, letting them know you have applied.<br>Likewise, if you don't find centralized info, email professors who you would like to work with explaining why (citing their research and detailing your interests), along with transcripts, a cv, sometimes writing samples, etc<div><br></div><div>Also, I was told at a 'meet the grads' event held by our undergrad psych student association that sometimes grad students, namely students writing their doctoral dissertation sometimes take on RAs. If you're not paid for this this will at least provide with with a possible 'in' at a lab, after working with the student, ask them to recommend you to their supervisor as an RA!<br><br>This link might help:<div>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/psychology/ralistings</div></div><div><br></div><div>Hope this helps, good luck!</div> Edited January 24, 2011 by carlyhylton

[cautiouslyoptimistic]

Get in touch with professors whom you used to work with and ask if they have any suggestions and/or contacts. I got my current paid RA positions that way.

[sjc86]

<br><br>I think it probably depends on how the institution centralizes available postings etc, but I personally found postings on my university's (York University) career centre job posting site, as well as on faculty's profiles. I'm currently looking to switch labs for the summer to gain different experience and experience specific to my research interests, and so I am currently looking at labs across Canada. I'm finding info by looking at faculty profiles, some schools have a list of labs, with specific info on how to apply.<br>Also, keep research institutes outside of the university in mind. Hospital, and mental health research institutes sometimes have RA placement

Thats how i did it. I will say that you'll need to be flexible in what you'll be researching if you are trying to get paid though.

[fadeness]

You should also consider looking at the subfield you are interested in entering's website. I know for social psych, there is a website (socialpsychology.org) where jobs are routinely posted. Also, consider trying to sign onto your subfield's list serve and getting on the email list. I have seen quite a few jobs that are posted throughout the year there and would recommend it highly. I actually applied for the job I now have through looking on the social psych's job posting boards. Regardless, good luck finding a ra position! They are tough to come by, but the experience you receive is priceless and will go a long way towards helping build your application!

Good Luck!

Edited January 25, 2011 by feadeh

[neuroJ]

Another potential method is to join research societies of the subfields you're interested in. Some societies advertise RA opportunities submitted by their members through their email list or journal.

[ofallthatis]

hi all, thank you so much for your input! It's very helpful and I'll definitely look into all your suggestions. Thanks again.