Each summer the Infant Cognition Group at Queen’s University offers a limited number of internships for university undergraduates, under the supervision of Dr. Valerie Kuhlmeier. Interns will gain invaluable experience with current techniques for investigating conceptual development in infants and children. Some of the studies that you may be involved in include:

•    Differentiating of animate and inanimate objects in infancy
•    Understanding of intentional and goal-directed behaviour in infancy
•    Engaging in pro-social and cooperative behaviour in early childhood
•    Recognizing the functional properties of tools in infancy

What is involved?

Summer interns will have the opportunity to work exclusively with a graduate student on a research project. This allows students the opportunity to be deeply involved in a project and gain a solid understanding of the process of designing and conducting a study.

Intern responsibilities will include recruiting and contacting research participants; running experiments with infants and children (5 months to 4-years-old) coding and entering data, preparing materials for studies; conducting and organizing literature searchers. You will also have the opportunity to participate in weekly lab meetings and reading groups led by Dr. Kuhlmeier and her graduate students. During these meetings, students are engage in stimulating conversations discussing articles on current findings in developmental psychology. 

Summer interns will also have time to explore the Kingston area with other lab members through interactive and fun lab events. For example, past lab events include trips to the Wolfe Island Corn Maze, camping trips, and boat rides on the St. Lawrence River!

Who should apply?

Students interested in developmental psychology and who have a keen interest in pursuing graduate work in this field.

When does the program run?

The program starts May 1th, 2012 and ends July 31, 2012.

Is the internship full time or part time?

The internship will require students to work on a part-time basis. This allows time for taking courses or holding  part-time employment in the Kingston area.

Can I be paid for the internship?

We are unable to offer a salary for this internship. Time contributed to the lab by the students will be strictly voluntary. However, you may be able to apply for summer research grants or work-study programs through your home institution. Please ask your university registrar for more information.

Queen’s University offers work-study grants to its current undergraduates who meet certain criteria. If interested in this opportunity, please check your eligibility at http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/awards/ and indicate this on your application.