JOIN THE LAB

Dr. Schachner is open to accepting new graduate students in this coming cycle (that is: applications submitted in Fall 2025, to start the program in Fall 2026). 

To be a good fit with the lab, you should be interested in using the kinds of methods and populations we typically use -- that is, behavioral / experimental methods with human adults and children. You should also have experience with developmental research, and engagement with current literature in social cognitive development and/or music cognition. You should be able to talk about questions you're interested in, and what makes your interests and experiences a good fit with the lab. (Note that the lab doesn't currently use neuroscience methods like MRI or EEG, and we don't currently plan to expand in that direction.)

To apply, you should send your application to the PhD program in Experimental Psychology at UCSD (not CogSci, that's a different department), and indicate Dr. Adena Schachner as your primary faculty mentor of interest. If the graduate admissions committee invites you for an interview, you can request to meet with Dr. Schachner during your visit to discuss your shared research interests and figure out whether the lab would be a good fit for you. Find more info here!

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCHERS

Undergraduate researchers play a crucial role in our research, and we typically have a team of 5-15 undergraduates in the lab in any given quarter. Undergraduate researchers often get course credit for their work in the lab (PYSC 99/199, COGS 199). If you'd like to do a senior thesis in the lab, we prefer you start as a 99/199 student or volunteer first, so you can experience the day-to-day of research in the lab before taking on your own project.

We require a three quarter minimum commitment of at least 12 hours a week. This includes attendance at our weekly lab meeting, as well as a smaller meeting with your mentor or research group. For most research projects in the lab, experience working with children and families is a big plus.

We typically interview new research assistants at the end or very beginning of each quarter.

To apply, please complete the following:

1. Complete our online application at: goo.gl/pz3Q9x

2. Send in the following materials to madlabcoordinator@ucsd.edu:

   1. Resume/CV

   2. Cover Letter

   3. Availability schedule, including weekend availability (e.g. in the form of a screenshot of your Course Schedule, screenshot of your Google Calendar weekly view, etc.)

We also sometimes post positions on the UCSD REAL portal, and we look at applications sent via the UCSD Psychology Common Application as well. However, the above online application is the best way to make sure you're on our radar!