Cooperation Lab Summer Internship

Each summer, we run a full-time research internship open to students from Boston College and other institutions.

The Cooperation Lab at Boston College, directed by Dr. Katie McAuliffe, is seeking motivated, reliable, and enthusiastic summer research assistants for our Summer Internship. Our lab’s research focuses on the development of cooperative abilities in children.

Internship Description 

Summer research assistants (RAs) will gain experience with all stages of the research process, including recruiting families, collecting data, analyzing data, and discussing results. Each summer RA will be paired with a graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or lab coordinator mentor for the duration of the summer, and have a main project.

In addition, RAs will attend weekly lab meetings with other undergraduates, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, the principal investigator, and lab coordinators to discuss ongoing and key research in the field of psychology. Intermittent professional development and other seminars will also occur, such as data analysis workshops (e.g., R) and panels on applying to graduate school. 

This internship will take place in person on Boston College’s campus.

Eligibility and requirements 

Research assistants are asked to commit approximately 35 - 40 hours per week to research in the lab and should expect to test outdoors and on weekends. The start date for the position is June 2nd. Depending on student circumstances, accommodations may be made for particular academic schedules. Positions will last for 10 weeks, with the internship ending on August 8th.

Funding

We typically have another application for eligible students to receive funding through an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates grant. Priority will be given to those from underrepresented minority groups and who have had little or no research experience. Those who identify with a historically underrepresented group (e.g., Hispanics or Latinos, Blacks or African Americans, and American Indians or Alaska Natives; first-generation college students; members of the LGBTQ+ community; veterans) are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information on the funding and eligibility criteria, check back soon for more information. To be considered for one of these stipends, you must fill out the separate online application. When completing the REU application, you should select the Cooperation Lab as your primary choice if you are most interested in working with us; however, we encourage you to explore the other developmental lab options as well. If you are unsure whether you fit the eligibility criteria, feel free to fill out both applications and/or email us and we will be happy to provide further guidance. Please note that we are currently waiting to hear back about the funding for this opportunity for Summer 2025.

If you do not believe you fit the eligibility criteria for the NSF grant funding, or would still be interested in participating in the Cooperation Lab over the summer without this funding, please complete the steps listed below. Accepted students are encouraged to seek funding from their home institution or outside organizations, though this is not necessary for participation in the internship. We will provide any assistance necessary for students seeking funding elsewhere, including providing documentation and descriptions of our internship as well as reviewing drafts. Please note that all RAs, regardless of their source of funding, will be part of the same vibrant community of researchers. 

Our internship application for Summer 2025 has closed. We are still awaiting an update from the NSF about whether or not we will be able to offer an REU and will update this accordingly once we know more.

We welcome any questions at lmcooperation@gmail.com. 

Fall and Spring Opportunities 

For Boston College undergraduate students

As a research assistant (RA), responsibilities include participant recruitment, help running studies both in the lab and potentially outdoor spaces, debriefing parents, data entry and video coding. Research assistants will work closely with other team members and will be supervised by the Cooperation Lab’s director and lab coordinator. RAs are expected to work 8-10 hours a week and will ideally be able to offer some evening and weekend availability. Email lmcooperation@gmail.com prior to the start of the semester to inquire about position availability.

Volunteer RA

Any motivated and genuinely interested scholar is welcome to volunteer as an RA. We ask that you cmmit at least 8 hours or more.

Earn credit as an RA

This is for Boston College students during Fall and Spring semesters. Please provide proper documentation to earn credit.

Fall 2025 semester

Please check back soon for more info about Fall opportunities. If you have any questions, please feel free to email lmcooperation@gmail.com.

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site:

Developing Social Minds

We are waiting to hear back about a new NSF REU grant for Summer 2025. If you’d like to read more about our previous Boston College REU Summer Internship Program and eligibility criteria to receive funding, click here.

Other Opportunities 

Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Boston College offers funding to undergraduates with academic  promise and the opportunity to immerse themselves in research guided by a faculty advisor.