The Language, Experience, and Development (LEAD) Lab in the department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, directed by Dr. Rachel Romeo, is hiring Research Assistants for September 2026 to May 2027. Applications are due Wednesday, May 20.
Description:
The LEAD Lab team studies how children’s early experiences—both favorable and adverse—influence their neural, cognitive, and academic development. Research Assistants (RAs) in the LEAD Lab engage in a variety of tasks, including recruiting participants, facilitating data collection with children and families, facilitating LENA recordings, and much more! RAs work ~10 hours per week.
The LEAD Lab is interested in applicants with a range of experiences, and we especially encourage students without previous research experience to apply. Applicants with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, history of/interest in working with children and families, commitment to collaboration, and interest in the intersections of developmental psychology, developmental cognitive neuroscience, and educational equity may find a good fit in the LEAD Lab.
Though these skills are not at all required, students with any of the skills/interests listed below may be an especially good fit for certain lab projects…
Interest in infant or preschool development
Interest in strengths-based research approaches
Interest in naturalistic techniques & technology to measure family stress & language interactions
Previous experience working with young children/families
How To Apply:
Interested students can learn more about the LEAD Lab at this link: https://education.umd.edu/leadlab, and they can fill out the lab’s interest/application form at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemW2oYm4FlVKPwFvyCqSM5Ma94chLnhXdY7rD2LHBDk5Feog/viewform?usp=header. Compensation through course credit and/or federal work study are available.
Please direct any questions to lab manager Alicia Mortimer at aliciam@umd.edu.
Updates and Opportunities for University of Maryland Psychology Majors and Alumni
