Volunteer Research Assistant: Memory & Decision-Making Lab

HaML Lab; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; Full time

Job description

The Human and Machine Learning (HaML) Lab in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee is seeking a research assistant. Lab studies will examine how human memory supports optimal decision making in both familiar contexts and new situations, using behavioral and neuroimaging data and model simulations. Lab studies will examine how human memory supports optimal decision making in both familiar contexts and new situations, using behavioral and neuroimaging data and model simulations. This volunteer position that will last for two semesters. This position is ideal for those interested in gaining research experience and the opportunity to present at conferences and co-author publications.

Background

The HaML Lab studies how humans acquire and apply knowledge to make informed decisions in a complex and uncertain world. We aim to develop a more comprehensive theory of human learning that takes into account memory limitations, motivation, and uncertainty, while explaining how memories are formed and transformed through memory consolidation. We use a combination of behavioral methods from cognitive psychology and neural measures obtained using neuroimaging, which are used to inform development of neurally informed machine learning models that mimic human behavior and brain activity. We ultimately aim to have an impact beyond the lab by informing understanding of memory problems and memory-related disorders such as PTSD. The HaML Lab is directed by Neal Morton, PhD . See the research page for more information about Dr.Morton’s previous research.

Roles

To participate in research, undergraduate researchers must first undergo Level I training in one or more of the specific research roles. Level I training involves reading about best practices and passing a short quiz. It’s most common to start with being a Study Proctor, who helps run experimental sessions. Researchers can also get involved with designing studies, developing tasks, supervising data collection for a study, or conducting literature reviews. Undergraduate Researchers can be certified as having completed training for various research roles:

• Study Designer: Creates the experimental design for a study.
• Study Developer: Takes an experimental design and implements it as a task.
• Study Proctor: Runs participants through a task to collect data.
• Study Coordinator: Supervises data collection for a study and performs quality assurance checks on the data.

Any completed training will be displayed on your profile on the lab website, which you can show to potential employers or graduate school advisors. After completing Level I training, researchers can work on a project. If they complete a certain amount of research through that project, then they will qualify for Level II certification, which then enables them to take on an independent project like writing a literature review on a topic they’re interested in or designing and running a new study. Researchers who complete an independent project and create an approved research product, such as a paper, thesis, or cognitive task, qualify for Level III certification, which indicates that they are skilled at performing some aspect of research independently.

• Hands-on training in cutting-edge psychology and neuroscience research techniques.
• Experience and training in working with data, data visualization, and science communication.
• Opportunities to present research at national and local conferences, network with leading neuroscientists.
• Professional development for graduate school or research positions.
• A supportive culture that encourages time off and a healthy work-life balance.

Minimum Qualifications

• Some relevant coursework in psychology, neuroscience, math, and/or statistics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with research, especially research studies with human participants.
• Programming experience.