Written by: Ruth V. Walker, PhD and Amira Parker

Published May 2, 2024

Post-baccalaureate (post-bac/post-bacc) research assistant positions are a great way to gain research experience that can bolster your curriculum vitae/resume for graduate school programs in Clinical Psychology PhD programs, non-clinical PhD programs (e.g., Experimental, Social, Neuropsychology), medical school, and other programs with a research component. This post will walk you through the process of finding and applying for post-bac research positions.

Making the Most of a Gap Year

Volunteer Roles

Volunteer work is an excellent way to gain experience working with the population of people you are passionate about serving. If you want to become a clinical geropsychologist or physical therapist, working at a long-term care facility or senior center would be a great way to demonstrate your commitment to working with and learning about that population. If you're interested in School Counseling or School Psychology, you could volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys and Girls Club, the Ronald McDonald House, YMCA, or a local library. The organization you volunteer with will depend on your interests, location, and availability. However, you can consider volunteering at local mental health clinics, interning with your local NAMI branch, supporting families with loved ones in hospice, assisting with programs at community centers that focus on mental wellness, or supporting non-profits that work with populations affected by psychological issues, such as at-risk youth or older adults.

Paid Work Roles

Positions such as a Registered Behavioral Technician allow you to work directly with clients, including children or adults with developmental disorders, implementing behavioral therapy plans. Similarly, as a Psychiatric Technician in facilities like psychiatric hospitals, you could provide care and support to patients with mental illnesses, engaging in activities like observing patient behavior and assisting in treatment sessions. For those interested in industrial-organizational psychology, becoming a Human Resources Assistant offers relevant experience through recruitment and employee relations management. Case Managers and Social Services Assistants play important roles in navigating healthcare systems and supporting therapeutic services in various social service settings, requiring strong interpersonal skills and understanding of social health determinants. Each of these roles provides opportunities to build your skill set—from direct client interaction and care coordination to administrative and data analysis tasks—all of which can be leveraged in your pursuit of graduate school. See the Careers in Psychology page for a thorough listing of job opportunities available with a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Post-Bac Research Positions

Now let's talk about the focus of this post - post-bac research positions. Engaging in research can give you the ability to learn about data collection, analysis, and even participate in publications and conference presentations, which are not only prioritized in research-oriented graduate programs but are required for many competitive PhD programs.  Post-bac research positions are generally viewed as an alternative pathway to preparing for Clinical Psychology and other research-focused graduate programs (the other pathway being a master's degree program).

Finding a Post-Bac Research Position

Finding research jobs in psychology can often be a challenge as they are not always widely advertised. Positions generally become available in early to mid-spring and typically have start dates in the summer. However, some positions are posted throughout the summer (with a start date in the fall), so be sure to keep a lookout if you haven't found a position yet. Positions last between 1-3 years and offer valuable experience if you are planning to pursue graduate studies or other research-focused careers.

Job Boards and University Links

If you are interested in a research-focused position, you can search general job boards such as Psych Job Wiki: Pre-docs, Other Post-Grad Lab Positions, Psych Research List, Social Psychology Network, Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC), Clinical Psychology Jobs, and mainstream job sites such as HigherEdJobs, Indeed, Glassdoor, and ZipRecruiter using keywords like “Research Assistant/Coordinator/Specialist,” "Study Coordinator," “Lab Manager/Coordinator/Technician,” and “Clinical Research.” There are also university-affiliated job boards such as Harvard’s Post-Graduate Psychology Research Jobs and similar pages by Georgetown, Miami, Duke, Pittsburg, and Johns Hopkins Universities. You can also join organizations like the Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) or the Society for Affective Science (SAS), which frequently post job listings and offer networking opportunities.

Set Up Job Alerts

Amira recommends making use of job search platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Google. You can set up alerts to notify you about new job postings that match your criteria like "clinical research coordinator," "research assistant," or "lab manager." This ensures you don’t miss out on opportunities.

Follow Professors, Labs, and Organizations on X (Twitter)

There are multiple accounts on Twitter that will post and repost job openings, as well as other great events and resources. PsychResearchList has put together a fairly comprehensive resource of psychology Twitter accounts here. The following is a list of accounts recommended by Amira that post post-bac job opportunities:

●        https://twitter.com/YalePsychDEI

●         https://twitter.com/PsychResList

●         https://twitter.com/PsychinOut

●        https://twitter.com/New2Neuropsych

●        https://twitter.com/ProjectShort

Application Tips

When preparing your application for post-baccalaureate positions in psychology, it's important to tailor your resume and cover letter to each job. Your cover letter should clearly express your interest in the lab or position and highlight how your previous experience aligns with the needs of the role you're applying for. Here's an example template to help you get started:

Cover Letter Template Example

Your Name

Your Address

Your Email

Your Phone Number

Date

Lab Manager's Name

Lab Name

Institution Name

Dear Lab Manager,

I am writing to apply for the Research Assistant position at the [Lab Name] at [Institution Name]. I am particularly excited about the potential impacts of [Specific Project], and I believe my experience with [Specific Skills or Experiences] will make me a valuable asset to your team. My previous role at [Previous Job or Research Experience], where I [Describe Relevant Experience and Outcome], has prepared me to effectively support and advance the research goals at [Lab Name].

[More about your relevant skills and how they apply to the new position. Carefully choose skills/experiences with high relevance to the position you are applying for. Explain what you did, what the results were, and how those skills/experiences connect to the position you are currently applying for].

I am eager to bring my skills as a research assistant to [Lab Name], where I am confident in my ability to contribute to [Project or Study Goals]. Working with your team over the next [insert job duration] will allow me to learn the skills I need to become a [insert long-term career goal]. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my application in further detail.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

See Amira's Post-Bacc RA Cover Letter Guide for additional details about how to craft your cover letter. 

Following Up

After you submit your application, don't hesitate to follow up with the lab manager or another relevant contact. This demonstrates your enthusiasm and can help keep you informed about the application process.

Cold Emails

If positions aren't advertised, sending cold emails to faculty whose research aligns with your interests can be an effective strategy. These emails should be concise, polite, and personalized, demonstrating that you have engaged with their work. Attach your CV and briefly state how your experience and skills could contribute to their research.

Mentorship and University Resources

Utilize your network by including faculty and graduate student mentors to help guide and inform your job search. Additionally, check your university’s career resources and job boards for available opportunities. University career centers often offer resume feedback, mock interviews, and professional headshots to current students and alumni.

Acing the Interview

Landing an interview for a post-baccalaureate research position is an exciting step forward in your psychology career path. Typically, the interview process involves two stages: the first is generally an interview with lab members such as research assistants, lab managers, or graduate students. The second is typically a more in-depth interview with the Principal Investigator (PI) and possibly other senior lab members like post-docs or co-investigators.

Preparation is Key

Before your interviews, thoroughly research the lab's current projects. Read through the lab's website, review any related grant information, understand the specifics of the projects you might be working on, and familiarize yourself with recently published work. This not only shows your genuine interest but also helps you tailor your responses to align with the lab's goals.

Skill Assessment

Read the job posting carefully to identify the skills they are looking for and consider how your background aligns with their needs. It's also a good idea to think about skills you possess that could be applicable, even if you haven't had direct experience with the specific tasks listed. Be prepared to discuss these during your interview, and how you can bridge any gaps in your skills with your capacity to learn quickly.

Craft Your Narrative

Develop concise anecdotes that showcase how your past experiences have equipped you with the necessary skills for the position. Be ready to discuss challenges you've faced in previous research roles, how you've handled disagreements in a professional setting, and any independent projects you've spearheaded. These stories make your qualifications tangible and relatable to the interviewers.

Practice Makes Perfect

Practicing your responses is perhaps the most vital part of your preparation. Conduct mock interviews with friends, family, or colleagues to refine your delivery and get comfortable with articulating your qualifications and interest in the role. Consider practicing responses to common prompts, such as delivering a one-minute elevator pitch about yourself, detailing your research experiences, describing your working style, and explaining your approach to overcoming challenges. By entering your interview well-prepared and confident, you're more likely to make a strong impression that could lead to securing the position. Amira recommends starting with the following prompts:

1. 1 minute elevator pitch 

   • Who you are, your interests and research experience. Why are you interested in this position? 

2. What are your research experiences? 

3. What is your working style? 

4. Describe a challenge that you faced in your past research experience. How did you overcome it?

5. Describe a time where you disagreed with a manager.  

6. Have you conducted an independent project/thesis? Please describe this project and the results. 

7. If you had an unlimited amount of money, describe your dream research project.

Remember, each interview is not only a chance for the lab to evaluate you but also an opportunity for you to determine if the lab's environment and projects are the right fit for your career goals. 

Coping with Rejection

Rejection is a difficult and unavoidable part of the job search process for research assistant positions in psychology. Nearly every RA has experienced at least one rejection along their journey, but it's important to remember that this does not indicate a mismatch with your career path or necessarily a reflection of your lack of ability to be successful in the field. It may be a sign that you need to revise your application materials, seek additional training, or get additional interview practice. Connecting with and building a support network of mentors or peers who have navigated similar challenges can be incredibly beneficial. For instance, Amira is open to discussing any challenges you might face during your job search, offering moral support and advice. She can be reached at amira_parker@alumni.brown.edu to provide moral support and/or advice. Reaching out to experienced individuals like Amira can provide not only practical tips but also emotional support, helping you to navigate the ups and downs of the job search more effectively. Remember, framing rejection as an opportunity to grow is the key to success in the highly competitive field of psychology research!

Your Future is Full of Potential

Using the resources and strategies outlined above, you are ready to begin your journey into post-bac research!  As you begin your journey, don't forget to bring the curiosity and enthusiasm for discovery that led you to this path. 

Want to learn more about gap year possibilities? See this article written by Norcross, Sayette, and Charneski (2023) for Eye on Psi Chi Magazine.