Join us as a Research Assistant – Old Dominion University
Current Openings
The YR2 Lab is currently recruiting research assistants to begin volunteering in Summer and Fall 2026! Applications are being considered on a rolling basis. Thank you!
A one-year commitment is required, and we are particularly interested in recruiting RAs who would be interested in working with the lab for more than two semesters. There are opportunities for RAs to join as volunteers, 3-credit research course at ODU, or a 0-credit research course at ODU.
Position Description
We seek highly motivated, conscientious individuals who are interested in gaining experience in clinical psychological science! RAs will get involved in a variety of projects over the course of their time in the YR² Lab. RA duties will likely include: participating in weekly lab meetings, conducting literature reviews, assisting with data entry and analysis for several large research projects, and helping to collect and monitor data for a study using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) techniques. As RAs gain more experience in the lab, they will have the opportunity to observe clinical interviews, assist with manuscripts and conference presentations, and potentially complete more intensive work in the lab (e.g., presenting a poster at a local or national conference).
We are looking for RAs who can devote 8-10 hours per week, either for course credit or as volunteers. We are particularly interested in recruiting RAs who are able to make a longer-term commitment (i.e., more than one academic year) to the lab.
Notes to Prospective Applicants
Prior experience in research or clinical work, while valued, is not required for our RAs. If you have limited experience in these areas, please describe any other relevant skills or experiences that would contribute to your success in a clinical research setting under “additional information” at the end of the application.
This year, one of our projects is focused on understanding teen-to-teen crisis intervention. RAs will be tasked with reading and coding conversations that took place on a teen-to-teen crisis line. These conversations will contain adolescent’s disclosures of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors including suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts. There may also be discussions of other experiences including childhood abuse. While it is normal to have an emotional response to this work, if reading these accounts may be triggering or excessively distressing, this particular RA role may not be a good fit.
Finally, we wish to emphasize that our lab’s focus is on understanding self-injury and suicide risk from a clinical science perspective and that our day-to-day work is very much grounded in the research process. We deeply appreciate the personal connections that so many feel to the cause of suicide prevention and intervention, and we understand that many of our prospective applicants feel drawn to our research for reasons of great personal significance. It is true that personal investment in our research topic can contribute considerably to success in the research environment, but it is also critical for our RAs to benefit academically and professionally from their work in the lab. For this reason, we ask that you reflect on your interests and determine whether working in our lab would be a good fit for you on the basis of your academic and professional goals prior to applying for an RA position.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit the application below and send a current CV or resume via email to GlennLab@odu.edu. Please include your full name and “RA Application” in the subject of the email.
Thank you for your interest in our lab! Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about the RA position or the application process in general.
Download application here: Undergrad RA application