AACTION Lab Research Assistant

University of Denver; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Denver's ACCTION Lab in the Psychology Department is seeking three to five undergraduate and/or graduate students majoring in Psychology for Fall 2026 onward. The position is in-person on campus and requires 8–15 hours per week with a three-quarter commitment (Fall 2026 through Spring 2027).

Responsibilities include literature searches, data collection, and assisting with therapy and assessment materials under Dr.

Qualifications

• Current DU undergraduate or graduate student enrolled for the 2026-2027 academic year.
• Work a minimum of 8 hours per week for the full 11-week quarter, for three consecutive quarters.
• Must have a work-study award and be able to commit Fall 2026 through Spring 2027.
• Must be a Psychology major (or if graduate student expertise in psychology from undergraduate studies)

Responsibilities

• Literature searches and completion of literature review spreadsheets for grant applications and student projects.
• Learning and following protocols for systematic review and meta-analysis.
• Recruitment of participants at community events/activities.
• Collecting self-/parent-report measures from participants and/or caregivers, and leading youth through computerized and paper-pencil tasks assessing cognition and behavior.
• Data management: preparing participant packets for study visits, data entry and validation, basic data management tasks.
• Assisting Dr. Smith in preparing materials for therapy and assessment sessions with youth.
• Upon demonstration of detail-oriented and organizational skills during the above tasks, undergraduate students may be eventually able to participate in data collection during study sessions, and learn how to telephone screen families per IRB protocols for potential inclusion into research studies.

Skills

Literature searches

Data management

Recruitment

Communication

Word

Excel

Education

DU undergraduate or graduate student

Work-study award

Psychology major

Introduction to Psychology

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

University of Denver - DU - Psychology Department

and the job listing Expires on October 9, 2026

The Department of Psychology is a research-oriented department that values a collaborative and integrative approach to psychological science that fosters intellectual curiosity and innovation. By investing in the people who comprise our department, we aim to create a supportive and inclusive environment (see www.du.edu/psychology for more information). Our mission is to advance psychological science by generating and sharing new knowledge through collaborative scholarship, educating, and mentoring student scholars, and contributing to the public good.

Position Summary

The Advancing Community Centers Interventions (ACCTION) Lab (www.ACCTIONLab.com), directed by Dr. Zoe Smith, Ph.D. and managed by Diego Heimlich, B.A., is seeking three to five undergraduate and/or graduate students. Undergraduates and/or graduates should be majoring in Psychology. We will not consider applicants from majors who are not in psychology.

ACCTION Lab focuses on community-based assessment and intervention (therapy) development for youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS, formerly known as sluggish cognitive tempo or SCT). We are developing trauma- and healing-informed assessments for Black and/or Latiné youth with trauma exposure and/or ADHD. We use community-based participatory research designs to increase engagement and understanding of treatment needs for youth that have been systemically oppressed (e.g., creating culturally responsive interventions for Black and Latina/o/é youth by listening to needs of the community and allowing flexibility in the intervention development) from mental health treatment. We focus on working with Black and Brown youth and their families using a cultural responsiveness and healing-focused lens. This is particularly important for youth with ADHD, who often face discrimination in school, the medical system, and from peers. Please note that this position does require in person work on campus. This position requires 8-15 hours per week starting Fall Quarter 2026. Due to the significant training involved, the position does require a three consecutive quarter commitment. We will not consider applicants who do not indicate in their cover letter that they are willing to make a three consecutive quarter comment (fall 2026, winter 2027, spring 2027) if selected.

Essential Functions

• Literature searches and completion of literature review spreadsheets for grant applications and student projects
• Learning and following protocols for systematic review and meta-analysis
• Recruitment of participants at community events/activities
• Collecting self-/parent-report measures from participants and/or caregivers, and leading youth through computerized and paper-pencil tasks assessing cognition and behavior
• Data management: preparing participant packets for study visits, data entry and validation, basic data management tasks.
• Assisting Dr. Smith in preparing materials for therapy and assessment sessions with youth.
• Upon demonstration of detail-oriented and organizational skills during the above tasks, undergraduate students may be eventually able to participate in data collection during study sessions, and learn how to telephone screen families per IRB protocols for potential inclusion into research studies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA)

• Academic, work, or volunteer experience related to the field of psychology, with children and/or adolescents, or other social sciences
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly responsive via email (including on days when not scheduled for lab hours) in order to accept meeting invitations
• Initiative, follow-through, reliability, timeliness, organization
• Ability to work with others as part of a research team
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Ability to speak in professional and friendly manner with participants and caregivers
• Detailed-approach to tasks and ability to follow very specific research protocols
• Strong note-taking skills during meetings in order to successfully complete assigned tasks.

Required Qualifications

• Current DU undergraduate or graduate student enrolled for the 2026-2027 academic year
• Work a minimum of 8 hours per week for the full 11-week quarter, for three consecutive quarters. Work is done in person at the ACCTION lab.
• Due to the significant amount of training involved, student must be able to work for the entire 2026-2027 academic year (Sept 1, 2026 – mid-June 2027).
• Must have work study award
• Must have taken Introduction to Psychology or equivalent
• Must be registered as a Psychology major (or if graduate student expertise in psychology from undergraduate studies)

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experiences with youth and/or caregivers in work capacity (i.e., research, babysitting, camp counselor), clinical setting (e.g., assistant ABA therapist), or other role (e.g., tutor, coach, etc.)
• Coursework in Psychopathology or Abnormal Psychology; Child Development; and Research Methods

Physical Activities

• Physical activities may include lifting up to 15 lbs when moving lab equipment or chairs, going up and down stairs, and walking to the Frontier Hall turnaround to meet participants.

Supervision & Training (include Work Schedule)

The work study will be supervised by Dr. Smith, director of the ACCTION Lab, and the full-time staff coordinating the above-described research studies. One supervisor will be available in person during work study student hours. Regular lab meetings with all lab members also occur, with quarterly professional development meetings. Training occurs in the first quarter of work study placement.

This position is eligible for a federal work-study, which requires eligibility through the financial aid office. This position requires a minimum of 8 hours per week, with flexibility in scheduling. Some evenings/weekend hours are required.

In compliance with Colorado’s Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA), non-benefited employees accrue one hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked up to a maximum of 48 hours per year.

The University of Denver is committed to enhancing the diversity of its faculty and staff. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military/ veteran status or any other status protected by law. We welcome applications from underrepresented communities, veterans and persons with disabilities.

All offers of employment are based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check. These are required for all part-time, full-time and student employee hires.