PSYC 395 Research Assistant Applications

If you're a Carolina undergraduate interested in directly contributing to the world of research through the Rucker Lab's work on understanding equity and social justice, we're excited to announce that we are currently seeking PSYC 395 RAs to work closely with us this year!

While being a very rewarding experience for those who decide to do it, becoming a PSYC 395 RA is a considerable commitment, both for you and for the lab you will be working with. As such, the application process is more intensive, and utilizes a much more advanced timeline.

In order to apply to be part of the Rucker Lab for course credit, you will first apply through our combined RA application form, where we will review your application. Because these are typically reviewed on an incremental rolling basis, we recommend that you also email us once this is complete so that we can be sure to review your application in a timely manner. 

Once you've been accepted through your initial application and acknowledged your commitment to the PSYC 395 requirements and responsibilities, you'll work directly with Dr. Rucker and the graduate student who will oversee your work to establish how your research work with us will meet the standards of academic coursework. After that, you will complete your departmental application; this is more of a logistical application designed to ensure that everyone fully understands and agrees to uphold their commitments.

Because of the considerable complexity of the application process, you should intend to begin the process with the Rucker Lab at least one month in advance of the target semester beginning, not taking into account the break between semesters. To be clear, this means you should begin the process during the semester proceeding the target semester, especially as the deadline for the completion of the process is the first day of classes. Please closely review the requirements and commitments for your PSYC 395 department level application here prior to submitting your Rucker Lab combined RA application.

We know this is quite a lot of information, and that this all might be overwhelming! We really would like to impress on you that this is a rewarding experience, and that it's designed to ensure you get the most out of your commitment to us and to exploring the world of research. If you have additional questions about the process that aren't covered above, please reach out to the Lab Manager or directly to Julian Rucker and we'd love to help!

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PSYC 395 FAQs

What Are The Requirements For The Combined Rucker Lab RA Application?

Most of the materials and requirements for the Rucker Lab RA application will be covered by the more comprehensive departmental application, but the main materials required will be a CV / resume stating your current GPA. The lab RA application is really designed to make the application process a much more holistic review of applicants interests and qualities.

How Should I Approach The Personal Statement Questions In The Lab Application?

Your responses should be considered a formal piece of writing, but you should also be authentic and genuine about your interests and backgrounds. We've accepted folks with minimal experience in research, uncertainty about what they plan to explore after graduation, primary interest in other fields like data science, and plenty more diverse backgrounds; the only thing that we will require of you to be accepted is a strong commitment to your responsibilities in the lab and investment in contributing to the Rucker Lab's ongoing work.

We are also particularly invested in applicants who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and lived experiences, including marginalized communities. If this describes you, we strongly encourage you to apply, and to include more about your experience in your form response.

​What Do You Expect Of Your RAs?

Being part of the Rucker Lab for course credit means that you will be contributing to the lab's research in an elevated capacity, and that you will conduct your own research to produce your own research paper by the end of the semester.

Since participation in the lab is considered formal coursework as a 395 student, the standard for 395 RAs tends to be much higher than for volunteer RAs. This is reflected in the time commitment expected for the lab, where students are expected to contribute 9 hours per week to lab research and responsibilities, in addition to your progress on your personal research project. Some of these hours will be dedicated to general research responsibilities like timing remote studies, facilitating literature reviews, assisting with questionaries, and more; some will be dedicated to collecting participant data for in-person studies; and some will be dedicated to discussing and reviewing your progress on your own personal research study.

Of course, we also expect every member of our lab to be responsible, respectful, reliable, communicative, and enthusiastic about the work that we do in the lab.

Do I Have To Conduct A Full Research Project?

While conducting a research project is the common and comprehensive way to explore the world of research and make the most out of your 395 experience, the requirements for course credit administration are that you submit 10 pages of scholarly work, which does not technically have to be a research paper on a completed research project. If you do not anticipate completing a research project during your 395 appointment, you can discuss this possibility during the application process with Dr. Rucker and the graduate student acting as your mentor, and they will discuss potential alternatives with you.

Prospective Graduate Students

• Dr. Rucker is not recruiting graduate students for the 2026-2027 academic year via the Social Psychology Graduate Program at UNC.
  
  The deadline for applications, and information about the application process can be found here. Out of a concern for fairness, Dr. Rucker does not plan to have extensive email contact or individual zoom meetings with applicants prior to the review of applications, however, feel free to reach out and contact Dr. Rucker if you have any questions about the application process.

Volunteer / Paid Research Assistants

• As of Fall 2025, we are NOT currently recruiting undergraduate research assistants.

  However, please keep an eye on this site to see when we reopen the application for undergraduate RAs! Our typical application process is to apply as soon as possible, and have a member of our team reach out with next steps; we would then follow up with applicants on a rolling basis. Please note that you would be asked to upload a statement describing your interest in the lab and a resume with your current GPA.
  

  If you would like to prepare for an application to the lab, you will need to submit a resume / cv stating your current GPA, as well as a short personal statement describing your interest in the lab.
  

  Your personal statement should be considered a formal piece of writing, but you should also be authentic and genuine about your interests and backgrounds. We've accepted folks with minimal experience in research, uncertainty about what they plan to explore after graduation, primary interest in other fields like data science, and plenty more diverse backgrounds; the only thing that we will require of you to be accepted is a strong commitment to your responsibilities in the lab and investment in contributing to the Rucker Lab's ongoing work.
  
  

• FAQs

  What Do You Expect Of RAs?

  If you're accepted as an RA, you will be expected to contribute to the Rucker Lab at all stages of work. The most prominent role RAs have is collecting participant data for in-person studies, with secondary responsibilities timing remote studies, facilitating literature reviews, assisting with questionaries, and more.

  We expect our RA's to be responsible, reliable, communicative, and enthusiastic about the work that we do in the lab. We are looking for RAs that can commit at least 6-10 exclusives hours per week to their research work, and are flexible about the work that they are interested in completing.

  
  Who Should Apply?
  
  Students of any major can apply to be an RA, but our work is particularly relevant to those studying psychology. You should apply if you are curious about the research process, might incorporate research into your future career, or want to pursue a career relevant to research. Keep in mind that research looks very different across different fields and even within a field, so methodologies and daily duties will vary between labs. There are many wonderful labs at UNC Chapel Hill, so make sure to shop around to see which research methods and topics align with your interests.
  
  It’s also important to note that we are mindful of your time commitment throughout the semester, and the consistency of your contributions. We strongly prioritize applicants who can commit to at least one full academic year.

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  We are also particularly interested in applicants who come from a wide variety of backgrounds and lived experiences, including marginalized communities. If this describes you, we strongly encourage you to apply, and to include more about your experience in your personal statement.