Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Research Opportunities

Biobehavioral Development Laboratory

The Biobehavioral Development Laboratory is dedicated to understanding how genetic influences, prenatal environments, hormones and family environments together shape children’s and adolescents’ behavior. Under the mentorship of Kristine Marceau, you will be involved in research on human genetics, the stress response and neuroendocrine changes at puberty as well as how the family environment both before and after birth can work together with — and even change — biological influences on child and adolescent development.  

As a student in the Biobehavioral Development Laboratory, you can expect to read research articles and write summaries of findings; create graphical descriptions of research findings or research-based information; and receive training and conduct data management, statistical descriptions of data, and data analysis. There may also be opportunities for data collection. You will gain research experience for your curriculum vita or resume, opportunities for student-led research (e.g., for the Purdue Undergraduate Research and Poster Symposium), graduate application mentoring, a letter of recommendation for graduate school, and opportunities for joining team presentations at national and international conferences (e.g., the Society for Research in Child Development). 

You may either receive HDFS or PSY 39000 or BIOL 29400 or 49400 research credits or volunteer.  Preference will be given to students who can commit to at least one calendar year. Please send your current CV/resume and a brief note on what you hope to learn in the lab to Kristine Marceau at KristineMarceau@purdue.edu by Dec. 10 for consideration to join the lab starting in a spring semester, and by April 10 for consideration to join in the summer or fall.  

Child Temperament and Health Lab (CTHL)

Infant Vegetable Study

The Child Temperament and Health Lab (CTHL) at Purdue University is currently recruiting undergraduate research assistants to help with the Infant Vegetable Study. The goal of this research project is to understand how child temperament and parenting contribute to the acceptance of healthy — but sometimes disliked — foods in early childhood. Under the mentorship of Kameron Moding, you will gain experience in all aspects of the research process (i.e., planning, data collection and analysis). A commitment of 10 hours per week is expected, and you can earn HDFS 39000 credits.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please email a cover letter and your current resume to Kameron Moding at kmoding@purdue.edu. 

Developmental Studies Laboratory

The Developmental Studies Laboratory at Purdue University is recruiting undergraduate research assistants. Under the mentorship of A. J. Schwichtenberg, you will become an integral component of a longitudinal study assessing early autism identification via early social, physiological and emotion regulation.

Duties may include reading research articles, writing experience reflections, coding videos, video-recording laboratory visits, learning and preparing materials for standardized developmental assessments (e.g., Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule or Mullen Scales of Early Learning), preparing physiological recording equipment, coding physiological data, and more.

Professional development opportunities may include research experience for your curriculum vita or resume, data for the Purdue Undergraduate Research and Poster Symposium, graduate application mentoring, a letter of recommendation for graduate school, and joining team presentations at national and international conferences (e.g., the Society for Research in Child Development).

The positions are available (10 hours per week) for a one calendar-year experience. Please send a cover letter and your current CV/resume to A.J. Schwichtenberg at ajschwichtenberg@purdue.edu.

Military Family Research Institute

The Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University is recruiting undergraduate research assistants for a new study titled Operation Military Experience (Operation ME). Operation ME is a nationwide study to learn about adolescents who experienced parental deployment after 9/11 as young children. Either for credit or pay, students will conduct the following duties in small teams under the supervision of an experienced researcher:  

• Screening and consent calls with prospective research participants  
• Video and audio interviews with parents and adolescents

Interviewers will be expected to work two shifts per week. There will be evening shifts starting at 4 p.m. seven days a week and afternoon shifts starting at 12 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Interviewers must be able to work some weekends, have a clear telephone voice and fluent mastery of English. We prefer individuals who can work with us for one year or longer, and we offer advancement opportunities to high performers. 

Please send a cover letter and CV/resume to Research Director Dave Topp at dtopp@purdue.edu.

Preschool Math and Language Study

Are you looking to gain first-hand experience working with young children in preschool? David Purpura (HDFS) and George Hollich (PSY) are conducting a study to examine the connections between early language and math development in preschool children and are recruiting undergraduate students to be a part of this project for HDFS 39000 or PSY 39000 credit. This project will involve the assessment of preschool students’ math, language and cognitive skills in West Lafayette and Lafayette school settings.

If interested, please send an email to David Purpura at purpura@purdue.edu and include your CV/resume and an unofficial copy of your transcript.

Requirements: minimum GPA of 3.0, ability to pass a background check, access to reliable transportation, and availability for at least two or three days per week from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. is preferred.

Purdue Puentes Project

The Purdue Puentes Project (PPP) is a research study focused on Latinx youth in Indiana farmworker families, led by Zoe Taylor (HDFS) and Yumary Ruiz (PUBH). This longitudinal project is examining youth’s mental and physical health, adjustment, challenges, and resilience. As part of the study, you will gain research experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

We welcome undergraduate or graduate students who wish to work with us and receive either HDFS 39000 or 59000 credits. We expect you to take a minimum of two credits (six hours per week) in the academic year and commit to 15 hours per week in the summer. Students who wish to work with us for a minimum of two semesters and Spanish speakers will be prioritized. We offer advancement opportunities to high performers.

Please send a cover letter and your current resume/CV to both Zoe Taylor at zetaylor@purdue.edu and the Purdue Puentes Project at puentes@purdue.edu. In the email subject line, please state, “Interested in a PPP RA position.”

Resilient Families Lab

The Resilient Families Lab is looking for research assistants for the Strengths in Single Mother Families study, led by Zoe Taylor. This project is assessing the challenges, resilience and strengths of single mothers and their children. Three waves of data have been collected from fall 2019 to fall 2021, including surveys and interviews. The lab welcomes undergraduate or graduate students who wish to be involved in research and receive either HDFS 39000 or 59000 credits (two credits minimum or six hours per week are required). We are seeking one to two research assistants to learn about and assist with qualitative data (e.g., transcribe and code interviews). Please email project manager Keisha Bailey at baile167@purdue.edu for more information, or to apply, please send your CV/resume. Priority will be given to those who can commit to two semesters.