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SSI-VR Lab

Contact Us

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Lucy Stone Hall

54 Joyce Kilmer Ave, Piscataway, NJ 08854

610-428-2256

Lab Positions

Postdoctoral Fellow

Currently, no postdoc positions are available in the SSI-VR lab. However, if you are interested in applying for external postdoctoral funding (e.g., NSF or other agencies or foundations), please contact Dr. Taylor directly using the subject line: SSI-VR Lab Postdoc Inquiry.

Graduate Students

Dr. Taylor is open to accepting a graduate student for the 2025-2026 academic year. Given the volume of emails received, Dr. Taylor is unable to respond to individual inquiries about graduate student opportunities. If your research interests and current work align with that of the lab, please consider applying! Dr. Taylor is looking for graduate students with a strong research background and some experience (or at least a strong interest!) in interracial interactions, generally, and in using virtual reality (VR) technology as a tool to reduce bias and systemic racism in individuals, interracial interactions, and institutions in particular. If you are still thinking: But, should I apply?! Studies show that women, persons of color, and persons from other less socially privileged backgrounds are less likely to apply for positions unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. You are encouraged you to apply if (1) you believe that you have the skills for this position, (2) meet some of the criteria outlined above, and (3) you are passionate about social psychology and studying intergroup interactions (e.g., interracial interactions) within social psychology.

Lab Manager Position

The SSI-VR Lab is not currently accepting applications for a lab manager position. (Applications will open in February/March 2025).

Undergraduate & Graduate
Research Assistants

If you are interested in gaining research experience for graduate school or learning more about social psychology and/or the application of technical skills in social interaction research, consider becoming a research assistant in the SSI-VR Lab.

 

Research assistants (RAs) receive comprehensive training for their lab duties as members of the collaborative psych and/or coding teams. RA positions require: (1) completing a lab application, (2) a 2-semester commitment (given the training and investment involved), and (3) at least 8-10 hours/week. Work-study and volunteer positions are available; course credit is possible but not guaranteed. See RA descriptions below. If interested, please complete the RA application. Please read position descriptions below before applying. 

Psych Team Members Core Responsibilities

Coding Team Members Core Responsibilities

  1. Managing data (e.g., entering, coding, and analyzing data)

  2. Developing stimuli (e.g., images, scenes, and vignettes for surveys, lab studies, and VR )

  3. Conducting laboratory studies as an experimenter (e.g., following a script, interacting with participants)

  4. Recruiting and scheduling research participants (e.g., via email, phone, and flyers)

  5. Conducting literature reviews, summarizing/annotating research articles/chapters, etc.

  6. Assisting with writing tasks (e.g., IRBs, OSFs, manuscripts, etc.)

  7. Assisting with administrative tasks (e.g., copying, scanning, etc.)

  1. Using programming and design skills to develop virtual reality (VR) based training and content (some knowledge of an object-oriented programming language to develop VR simulations in Unity 3D; additional onboarding and training provided)

  2. Developing and building upon systems to collect user data from VR head mounted displays, hand controllers, etc.

  3. Working with the psychology team to design, refine, and implement social psychology interracial interaction studies in VR

  4. Managing and improving upon existing Unity codebase

  5. Documenting existing and new code

  6. Assisting with data collection, organization, and analysis

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***Graduate students with coding expertise may be particularly interested in a paid coding position (though paid positions are not guaranteed). Currently, there are only volunteer graduate student positions available (Summer and Fall 2024).

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