The Cognitive Flexibility Dynamics (CFD) Lab in the Department of
Psychology is recruiting 2-3 undergraduate research assistants for Fall
2026.
Description:
We study what it takes to think and act intelligently and flexibly.
For example, you can easily walk across the (still train-free!) Purple
Line tracks in front of BRB to grab coffee (goal-directed behavior)
while ignoring irrelevant signs (inhibition). While you follow through
(multitasking), you can think about what to eat for dinner (planning, goal
selection), recall a great recipe (control over memory), and feel proud
of the mother who taught it to you (credit assignment). Even after
checking your phone briefly (task switching), you can get back to what
you were doing (hierarchical task control), and notice and correct
yourself when you take a wrong turn (error detection and correction).
These are a subset of the psychological functions that fall under cognitive control,
which lets us adapt to changing situations, learn novel contingencies
and relationships, and generalize knowledge quickly.
We are interested in explaining how natural and artificial brains build
task representations, and what computational principles underlie
adaptive behavior, combining behavioral experiments, M/EEG, MRI,
eye-tracking, and non-invasive brain stimulation with computational
modeling. More at https://www.cfd-lab.com/home
Requirements and Responsibilities:
- Commit 6-12 hours per week for at least three consecutive semesters
- Assist with data collection (behavioral, M/EEG, fMRI)
- Attend weekly lab meetings
- Contribute to and present conference posters
Qualifications:
- Excited and motivated about research in cognitive control, learning
and memory, decision making and computational methods
- Major in Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, or another
related field
- Good academic background (minimum 3.3 GPA)
- Interest in earning course credit through PSYC479 or the equivalent —
optional, not required
How To Apply:
Complete this form: https://forms.gle/rNBFshnxEBhU3ZBBA
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Questions: cfd-lab@umd.edu
