COLOR Lab Research Assistant Application

What does a COLOR lab RA do?

This position will involve coordinating study implementation, laboratory upkeep, and other necessary laboratory duties that occur. Specific duties may include:

• Collecting participant data while following detailed study protocols.
• Conducting recruitment activities for research studies (e.g., flyering).
• Assisting with other data collection online and in the lab.
• Leading lab meeting discussions about scientific papers 1-2 times/semester.
• Scheduling participants for research studies.
• Contributing to lab social media (Twitter, FB, instagram).
• Assisting with the development of literature reviews.
• Writing syntax for data cleaning and data analysis using SPSS.
• Other general organizational activities.

Additionally, Research Assistants are expected to attend weeky 1.5 hour virtual lab meetings and weekly virtual one-on-one meetings with an assigned graduate student mentor.

What does a typical week look like in the COLOR lab?

The specific make-up of the weekly hours can vary considerably from week to week based on various factors such as participant flow, skills, lab needs, RA interest, and availability of opportunities. Depending on ongoing studies, many research assistants spend 2-2.5 hours in meetings and the remainder of the time either running participants through study protocols (2 hour slots), engaging in recruitment efforts (e.g., flyering in the community for 2 hours), conducting literature reviews (2 hours), and/or running through studies as pilot participants (1-2 hour slots). The specific breakdown varies week-to-week but you will never be asked to do more hours than what you have committed to. In other words, if you are doing 10 hours in the lab, the breakdown of the hours may vary, but you will not be asked to do MORE than 10 hours. After mastery of basic competencies/skills is reached, research assistants may be invited to complete more advanced tasks such as assisting with syntax development, data dictionary completion, and/or data analysis.

How are RAs evaluated?

The COLOR lab uses a specific rubric that is accessible to all. At the middle and end of each semester, the RA's mentor will complete the rubric and have a feedback session with the RA. The items on the rubric include conscientiousness, engagement, timeliness, attendance of time slots, communication, contribution, meeting attendance, lab meeting participation, and lab time. 

What are the physical requirements of the position?

This position requires sitting at a desk or table for long periods of time and may require frequent intermittent sitting, standing, walking, and stooping while running participants in the lab. Additionally, recruitment activities such as flyering are required and thus position duties may involve going to various locations within Louisville, KY to hang up flyers. Please note that if you have any health concerns that keep you from being able to perform these functions, we will do our best to accommodate you and tailor your tasks/responsibilities to meet your physical needs.

Today's Date:

Email:

What is your name?

What is your UofL username?

Note: If you don't have one, write "N/A" 

What is your UofL ID number?

Note: If you don't have one, type "00000"

What pronouns do you use?

What makes you interested in working in the COLOR lab specifically?

What specific skills or experiences do you hope to gain from working in the COLOR lab?

Briefly, what are your long-term career goals? In what ways will working in the COLOR lab help you with your long term goals?

Do you have any previous experience working in a psychology research lab?

If yes, please describe which lab and what kinds of tasks you did:

Please share any specific skills you have that you think might be relevant to any aspect of the research process (e.g., data analysis, programming surveys, community outreach):

Please indicate the choice that seems closer to how you see yourself:

Please indicate the choice that seems closer to how you see yourself:

Please indicate the choice that seems closer to how you see yourself:

Please indicate the choice that seems closer to how you see yourself:

About how many hours per week are you able to commit to the COLOR lab?

When do you plan to graduate? Please list the semester and year of your anticipated graduation date. 

If you have already graduated, please indicate the semester and year you graduated. 

What type of position are you hoping to have with the COLOR lab?

Are you eligible for federal work study (and if so, are you interested in being a work study student)?

If you are eligible for work study and interested in a position, please upload your work study approval here.

Ideally, when would you want to start in the COLOR lab?

The COLOR lab is looking for research assistants who embody the following traits:

• Trustworthy
• Accountable
• Independent
• Curious/Intellectual
• Takes Initiative
• Reliable/Dependable 
• Persistent
• Committed to Research on Social Justice 
• Engaged/Present

And have the following skills: 

• Effective time management
• High attention to detail 
• Communicative via e-mail 
• Ability to think creatively and solve problems
• Intellectually curious and open-minded 
• Can work effectively as part of a team

From this list, which traits and skills do you think are your strong suit? Please give specific examples that highlight what these skills and traits look like "in action."

Is there anything else that you think is important or helpful to know about you?

Please indicate the name and contact info of one professional reference and indicate the nature of your relationship:

Please upload your unofficial transcript here:

Please upload your resume or CV here:

Please select the answer choice(s) that most accurately corresponds with your racial identity.
Please select all that apply.

If other, please specify:

If you had to select from the options below, which options(s) best describes your gender identity?
Please check all that apply.