Join the VIBE Lab

Undergraduate Students

How does what we do relate to what you will learn? Because of the nature of what we study, we primarily work with adults; these individuals come from different age groups across the lifespan (young, middle-aged, older). This also means that our work often involves both direct and indirect interaction with people from various parts of the community, including individuals outside of, or unaffiliated with, the university. Positions in our lab are ideal for students who have an interest in (a) gaining hands-on research experience, (b) working face-to-face with community-based samples, and (c) developing skills that may prepare them for a career or advanced training in a health-related field.

What can you expect? Students who wish to join the lab must enroll in a research-related course in psychology. They would specifically enroll in PSY 405 or 420, and depending on the number of credit hours, can expect to spend 6 to 9 hours weekly (approximately 3 hours per credit hour) engaged in various lab activities. (A no-credit option is also available.) Activities include attending weekly lab meetings, helping with study preparation or implementation efforts (such as programming tasks, test-running protocols, collecting data from study participants, helping with literature searches, and coding data), and building lab-related infrastructure (such as creating or updating this website or recruitment materials). PSY 405 and 420 are not like your typical course; generally, students enrolled in PSY 405 or 420 do not receive graded assignments throughout the semester, but they will have several opportunities to discuss their experiences and receive feedback, with final grades (pass/fail) reflective of satisfactory engagement in lab activities. 

Where will you assist? Our lab is currently located in Peabody Hall on the main campus but will re-locate to the South Oxford Center (also called the SOC, located on S. Lamar) in the near future. Students can access either location via public or private transportation. When we relocate to the SOC, students who wish to park there must have a valid permit for RED Commuter Lots from the UM Department of Parking and Transportation (unfortunately, we cannot cover the cost of these permits).

If interested in applying, please fill out the VIBE Lab Undergraduate Research Assistant Interest Form.  

Are you also a student in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College? If you are interested in pursuing your capstone project in the VIBE Lab, please reach out to Dr. O'Brien (by email directly) prior to applying to discuss further.

Graduate Students

Dr. O'Brien will review applications from students wishing to matriculate into the Experimental PhD program in the Department of Psychology at the University of Mississippi in Fall 2026. Please visit the UM Experimental PhD Program website to learn more about application requirements, procedures, and deadlines.

Prospective graduate students are also encouraged to contact Dr. O'Brien (by email directly) in early Fall 2025 prior to the application deadline. Please send a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a very brief statement of your research experiences and interests. Ideally, students have a clear match with the lab's research program/interests and some prior research experience.