Research Assistant, UMass Eyetracking Lab
This is an opening for undergraduate Research Assistants (Psych 398B) in the UMass Eyetracking Lab. In this lab, we study how fluent reading works: How do we recognize words and interpret sentences so quickly and automatically? We study these processes by tracking the movements of readers' eyes. As an RA in the Eyetracking Lab, you will learn to operate the equipment that tracks eye movements, you will run subjects in experiments, and as you gain more experience in the lab, you may also have the opportunity to develop materials for experiments and to analyze data. You also attend a lab meeting each week where we discuss the progress of ongoing projects.
In your application, please include your resume, a list of relevant coursework and skills, and several paragraphs explaining why you are interested in this position. In particular, please explain why you have chosen to apply to a lab that studies the cognitive science of reading.
This is an excellent opportunity for anyone with an interest in cognitive psychology in general, or reading in particular, to learn how research is done in this area. It provides a hands-on introduction to the research process. If you stay in the lab for multiple semesters, you may be involved in the full timeline of the research process, from conceptualization of an experiment to analysis and writeup.