Get Involved

The Emotion, Culture, & Psychophysiology Laboratory is a research and teaching laboratory. We work with a large number of undergraduate students, as well as select graduate students (in Master’s or doctoral programs).

Join Us as an Undergraduate

Undergraduate students can participate as a research assistant in the lab for independent study credit (more details about this below) or on a volunteer basis. As a research assistant, you will be working closely with Professor Roberts, Professor Burleson, and other members of the laboratory on research projects related to the study of emotion (see “Current Projects”). Projects may be new or ongoing. The range of tasks typically includes:

1. Psychophysiological data collection and scoring (e.g., measures such as heart rate, impedance cardiography, skin conductance, facial EMG)
2. Coding emotional behavior (e.g., shown by couples having conversations, individuals watching movie clips)
3. Questionnaire data entry and analysis
4. Conducting literature searches
5. Recruiting and scheduling research participants
6. Preparation of research study materials
7. Running research participant sessions
8. General lab organization and management
9. Participation in weekly research meetings


Am I Qualified?
We are committed to helping you achieve your academic and career goals, and we aim to cultivate a positive lab environment. When considering a research assistant position, though, keep in mind that research entails patience, commitment, and hard work. It is expected that you will fulfill your research commitments, including time-based (the number of hours agreed upon) and task-based (the specific task/project you are working on). Given that we are a training laboratory, we do not expect that you will come in with all of these skills. Tasks will be tailored to your skill level. The longer you are in the lab, the greater breadth and depth of knowledge you will gain. Students from our laboratory have been admitted to Master’s and doctoral programs in psychology and related fields, jobs in public agencies (schools, mental health organizations), and the private sector. Our motto is, the more you put in, the more you get out!

If you’re not sure if research is for you but are motivated and eager to explore your options, come give it a try!

Individuals with a background or interest in psychophysiological research methods and strong interpersonal/clinical skills are especially encouraged to apply.

In-between Undergraduate and Beyond?
Recent graduates also volunteer in our lab to gain additional research experience before pursuing graduate school, medical school, or other career paths. Although paid positions are rarely available, volunteers are always welcome.

Join Us as a Graduate Student
Professor Roberts is a member of ASU’s graduate faculty for the Psychology Department (Tempe Campus) and the Division of Psychology in Education-Counseling Psychology Department (Tempe Campus). If you are currently a graduate student and are interested in working with us, please contact Professor Roberts at Nicole.A.Roberts@asu.edu or by phone at (602) 543-3911.

How Do I Apply?
To apply to be a research assistant in our lab, please complete this research assistant application. Upon completion, we ask that you email the application and a copy of your current resume to our lab coordinator, Tara Vincelette, at Tara.Vincelette@asu.edu. After reviewing your materials, if it seems like you may be a good fit and there are openings in the coming semester/summer, we will contact you for an interview.

Logistical Details Regarding Independent Study Credit
You must apply and be granted permission to work in the lab before enrolling for course credit. Undergraduate research assistants typically enroll in PGS 399 during their first semester, and PGS 499 in subsequent semesters. You can elect to earn 1, 2, or 3 credits per semester, depending upon the number of hours you will spend per week (roughly 3 hours per credit). Because of the extensive training involved in becoming a research assistant in our laboratory, we ask for a 6-hour per week minimum commitment (including a 2-hour weekly lab meeting), typically for at least two semesters.

Whether you are volunteering or receiving credit, we expect you will fulfill your commitments to any projects you have begun. If it does not seem like the lab is a good fit for you or vice-versa, it is expected that you will withdraw (and sooner rather than later!) to make space for someone else.

Thank you for your interest in our research. We look forward to talking with you!