Research Intern Positions: Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience / Educational Neuroscience / EdTech / Learning Disabilities (fall 2025)

Research Intern Positions: Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience / Educational Neuroscience / EdTech / Learning Disabilities

Dr. Nadine Gaab, Gaab Lab, Graduate School of Education
fall 2025

Our research program illuminates the neurobiological origins and developmental trajectories of language and reading skills including difficulties through innovative longitudinal neuroimaging studies that follow children from birth to adolescence. By employing a variety of novel methodologies and developmentally sensitive and comprehensive outcome measures of language and reading skills, we aim to identify neurobiological, behavioral, and environmental factors starting at birth that pose risks or offer protection against the development of language-based learning disabilities. Our theoretical work synthesizes our empirical findings and focuses on developing frameworks with multiple protective and risk factors for explaining learning differences, emphasizing early identification of at-risk children and ‘preventative education.’ Our theoretical and empirical contributions lie at the intersection of developmental and cognitive psychology, neuroscience, learning sciences, disability studies, EdTech, and educational policy. Our translational research addresses contemporary challenges in practice and policy, inspiring systems-level, actionable change. This includes the development of widely accessible and practical EdTech solutions for early literacy screening designed for seamless integration into school districts and caregiver settings. Furthermore, our laboratory actively disseminates our research findings to various community members, including policymakers, superintendents, educational foundations, school principals, practicing teachers, and advocacy groups. The CALC Study seeks to further explore the link between reading and math developmental trajectories through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as well as language, math, and cognitive assessments. MRI is a safe and completely non-invasive method that we use to take pictures of the brain! The purpose of the study is to use these methods to track the development of the reading and math networks in children over four years, beginning in kindergarten, to investigate how early brain differences in people at familial risk for reading and math difficulties manifest. This study has the potential to provide a model for understanding developmental learning disabilities, their underlying mechanisms, and their co-occurrence. This, in turn, could inform more effective development of early screening, diagnostic, and intervention tools. Responsibilities: As an intern, you will gain experience in data collection, entry, management, and analysis, as well as community engagement with local schools and organizations. Data collection can include observing or helping with behavioral testing and scoring. Students who have a particular interest in data analysis, both using MRI and behavioral data, and encouraged to assist with ongoing analysis projects. You would thus have the opportunity to learn more about (1) MRI/fMRI data analysis and behavioral testing of young children and infants; (2) subject recruitment for research studies, which may include close interaction with schools and daycare centers in the Boston area; (3) scheduling of research participants and their parents; and (4) use of analysis software. Requirements and Expectations: We are looking for someone who can dedicate at least 8 hours a week to the lab. Availability to work over the weekend occasionally is a plus. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, careful, self-motivated, and interested in our lab's work, and have a background in neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, education, computer science, or a related field. Additional Information: Currently, this is an unpaid position, but the student may be eligible to earn course credits. This position is fully in-person at our lab space on 50 Church Street. The research team/co-supervisors include PI Dr. Nadine Gaab, research scientist Ted Turesky, graduate students Megah Loh and Katie Sevier, and post-baccalaureate research assistants Olivia Baldi and Brooke Jordan. More information about our lab can be found on our website: https://www.gaablab.com/. To Apply: To apply for the semester intern position, please send a copy of your CV and Cover Letter to gaablab@gse.harvard.edu with the subject line "Interest in Fall 2025 Semester Intern Position". (posted 9/25)