Overview
Our research focuses on the neural and cognitive mechanisms of attention and working memory in neurotypical young adults and on dysfunction of these processes in people with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses. Most of our research uses computerized behavioral tasks, eye tracking, and/or event-related potentials (ERPs, small signals embedded in the EEG). We are world leaders in promoting EEG/ERP research methodology (see erpinfo.org for some of our ERP initiatives). In addition, much of our current research involves linking empirical data with computational models of the mind and brain.
Undergraduate research assistants (RAs) play a key role in our research, and 10-20 students typically serve as RAs in our lab each year. They ordinarily work 9 hours/week in the lab for course credit, and most RAs stay in the lab for multiple years.
Application Process
We accept RA applications at any time, but we most commonly look at the applications and schedule interviews at the beginning of each quarter. We welcome applications from all majors and from first-year students through seniors. We do not require or expect any specific research skills or experience; we will train you!
We require a minimum GPA of 3.2. To apply, download and fill out the application and send it, along with an unofficial transcript, to our lab manager (lucklab.manager@gmail.com). If you are new to UC Davis, you can send your most recent unofficial transcript from elsewhere (e.g., community college, high school). Please send these documents as PDF files (not Word , .cfm, etc.). We will keep your application on file and then contact you to arrange an interview if we think you might be suitable for an open position. If you don’t hear from us, that means you weren’t selected for an interview at this time (but we will keep your application on file for the next quarter).
General Principles for Undergraduate Research
We view undergraduate research in our lab as a two-way street: The RA contributes to the lab’s research goals and in return receives research experience, learns important skills, and can eventually obtain letters of recommendation.
We try to provide opportunities for RAs to expand their portfolio of skills over time, but this is dependent on the effort and initiative exhibited by the RAs and the resources available to train and supervise them.
RAs typically work closely with a graduate student, postdoc, or staff member (their direct supervisor). However, they will have the opportunity to interact and learn from the lab’s principal investigator or PI (Steve Luck) during weekly undergraduates-only lab meetings.
RAs ordinarily register for P/NP credit in PSC 99/199 or CGS 99/199. The university expects approximately 3 hours of work for every unit of credit. New RAs are expected to register for 3 units of credit, spending ~8 hours/week on data collection and 1 hour/week going to the weekly undergraduate lab meeting. If the student cannot attend the lab meeting, the number of hours of data collection can be increased or the student can work on other lab-related activities (e.g., reading journal articles, learning programming skills). Additionally, RAs typically meet regularly with their direct supervisor.
We do not ordinarily allow students to register for fewer than 3 units. However, students who are interested in doing additional work to increase their skills may register for 4 units. In general, students should be doing enough hours of work in the lab to make a significant contribution to the lab’s research goals.
Pathways for Continued Growth
Almost all RAs focus on data collection for at least their first few quarters in the lab. There are then several pathways for gaining additional research experience:
Undergraduate RAs are sometimes co-authors on the journal articles we publish. Click here to see our guidelines for student authorship.