Undergraduate Student Training
Undergraduate Research Assistants (URAs) will be considered for admission to the CHEERS Lab on an as-needed basis. Recruitment of URAs will be based on the number of active projects and research support needs. Currently, Dr. Junkin is recruiting 1-2 URAs for Spring 2026.
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Undergraduate members of the CHEERS Lab can expect to receive direct, hands-on training from graduate students and Dr. Junkin. We prioritize developmental training, so URAs can anticipate taking on larger roles and responsibilities as they gain experience in the lab.
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Undergraduates interested in joining the CHEERS Lab should:
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Be a Psychology major at USM
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Have a GPA of 3.0 or greater
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Be willing and able to commit up to 10 hours per week in the lab
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Commit to a minimum of 2 semesters in the lab (contingent on performance in semester 1)
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Undergraduates can expect to get hands-on experience with research processes. Specific tasks and opportunities will vary depending on what projects are active in the lab, but for a general idea of possible activities, roles, and responsibilities, see below.
Undergraduate Lab Activities
Support active research efforts by aiding with data collection and entry for ongoing projects
Attend and participate in weekly lab and/or individual meetings
Review and test study materials
Conduct literature searches for topics relevant to lab projects
Help with administrative lab tasks, such as organizing project materials and proofreading documents
Co-author or lead conference presentations, with experience and approval from lab leadership
Successful Undergraduates in the Lab are:
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Conscientious, responsible, and motivated
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Excited about psychological research related to substance use
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Driven and willing to take initiative
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Interested in pursuing an advanced degree in psychology or a related field
Interested students who meet the lab expectations described above should complete the CHEERS Lab Application and return to Dr. Junkin at Emily.Junkin@USM.edu