Research Assistant Positions: Development of Reward Processing in Infants and Toddlers
Prof. Charles Nelson, Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston Children’s Hospital, Medical School
spring 2023 (could begin earlier)


We are seeking committed undergraduates majoring in psychology, neuroscience, child development, early education, or a related field to join the Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience at Boston Children’s Hospital. The students will assist with a new study exploring the development of reward processing in infants and toddlers, the TREAT study (Testing Rewarding Experiences And Tasks). Duties and Responsibilities: The position will involve the following responsibilities: (1) recruiting families to participate in the study by posting flyers and posting online; (2) responding to emails and phone calls from interested families; (3) scheduling study visits and maintaining study’s Google calendar; (4) running the study visit alongside the team, including set-up, developmental assessment, experimental behavioral tasks, eye-tracking, EEG, clean up, and ensuring a positive experience for the family; (5) data entry and digitization of questionnaires in RedCap and Qualtrics; (6) complete training in ethical conduct of research and HIPAA; and (7) keeping study files organized. Requirements and Expectations: Successful candidates will be highly organized, have prior experience working with infants or toddlers (babysitting, camp counselor, significant personal experience, etc). professional, self-motivated, communicative, and have an interest in child development and/or developmental cognitive neuroscience. Hours: Minimum 10 hours/week, in person. Up to 30 hours weekly available if desired by applicant. Hours over 15 hours/week may potentially be completed remotely, depending on the tasks of the week. A fixed weekly schedule for in-person hours will be established. Additional Information: Benefits: Additional educational opportunities may be available such as participating in Nelson and Wilkinson Lab meetings, shadowing other study or clinic visits, and participating in the LCN Summer Seminar Series for students. Compensation: $14.25/hour minimum, work-study eligible, or course credit (instructor of record would be Charles Nelson, PhD (Harvard faculty) or Carol Wilkinson, MD PhD (Harvard Med faculty)). Duration: to start in January (or earlier) through May. Depending on job performance and study needs, there may be potential opportunity to join team during the summer full-time and participate in Summer Seminar Series alongside other students from across universities. Location: 2 Brookline Place (accessible via Green line D train, 66 bus from Harvard Sq, or M2 to Longwood then 15 min walk). To Apply: Please email your resume to Dr. Caitlin Clements at caitlin.clements@childrens.harvard.edu. Be sure to include in your resume or your email a) any prior experience with infants/toddlers, b) why you are interested in the position, and c) your long-term goals (e.g., honors thesis, graduate school, career, etc). (posted 11/2022)