UC Davis Language Learning Lab Research Assistant Information
Learn more about what research assistant do at the Language Learning Lab!
There are several different projects and specializations, but typical tasks include:
Contacting families to participate, making phones calls/sending emails to schedule appointments
Running appointments, which includes interacting with both parents and infants, explaining studies to parents, and watching the participant’s sibling(s)
Coding and analyzing data, including parent-child play and reading, children's looking responses, questionnaires about language and family environments and language knowledge
Meetings to discuss new research ideas, research articles, and conduct research presentations
Creating materials for new studies and for science outreach
Opportunity to present in the Undergrad Research Conference in Spring Quarter
Requirements for researchers
Three quarter commitment, 10 hours a week. These 10 hours are broken down into about 3 shifts throughout the week.
Preference for research assistants to stay beyond three quarters and summer availability.Attendance at weekly lab meeting is typically required for new members. No lab meeting set for Summer Quarter.
Occasional Saturday shifts (1-2 per quarter) for research sessions or training.
GPA at least around 3.0
Respectful and hardworking character with a willingness to learn many new tasks
Curiosity about children, families, language, or cognitive science!
Benefits of Being a Member of Our Team
Friendly and supportive team consisting of research assistants, lab manager, graduate students, and Dr. Graf Estes = great networking opportunities.
Great support and preparation for graduate school or professional development
In-depth knowledge of research, particularly in the early language and cognitive domains, and opportunities to shape research in this lab
Opportunities to take on some leadership roles with time and experience
Experience personal, academic, professional, and social growth
Learn new skills--writing, presenting, programming
PSC199 Course credit; 9-10 hours/week = 3 units/quarter. Can do additional 3 hours/unit if need the extra units.
*Some quarters there is an option for PSC 180 credit for letter grading with a bit of outside homework/research.