Department of Psychology and Neuroscience

For Current Students

Research

Explore psychology and neuroscience research opportunities for students at Dalhousie, from undergraduate study to graduate research.

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Undergraduate students

You can start building research experience as early as your first or second year. If you plan to pursue graduate studies, focus on gaining research experience in your third and fourth years.

Ways to get involved in research:

Build experience

Participate in a research study (SONA)

Experience the research process firsthand while earning course.

SONA is an online system where you can:

Find available studies
Book time slots
Earn course credit or other incentives for participation

Learn how to participate in a study.

Volunteer as a Research Assistant (RA)

Volunteering in a lab is one of the most common ways to gain research experience.

Work a few hours per week
Help with basic tasks such as data entry or participant coordination
Assist with literature reviews
Learn about the research environment
Take on more responsibility over time

Contact professors in your area of interest about potential volunteer opportunities in their labs. A good starting point is to check researchers’ lab websites to see if they have a specific way they want students to contact their lab about volunteer opportunities.

Find a paid Research Assistant (RA) position

Paid Research Assistant positions are available, though opportunities can be competitive.
Some paid positions may be full- or part-time
Not all positions are advertised
Monitor your lab websites and social media for postings
Research experience is often required
Volunteering can lead to paid opportunities

Prepare for Graduate Programs

Take a research-based course (upper years)

For upper-year students, independent and directed research courses allow you to gain experience by working on a faculty-supervised project. You earn course credit while completing a research project.

Eligibility requirements:

B or higher in PSYO/NESC 2000
Average of B+ or higher in all completed PSYO/NESC program requirements at the 2000-level or above (i.e., a major GPA of 3.3 or higher)
A confirmed, eligible supervisor

Click here for a document (COMING SOON) with full details about these research opportunities. It also has a syllabus template that you will fill out with your supervisor.

Directed Research (PSYO 3001/PSYO 3002 | NESC 3001/NESC 3002):

You complete a single-term term research project (12-weeks) for course credit
You develop a research plan with your professor and conduct the project under their supervision
Your assessments are project deliverables that you agree on with your supervisor (e.g., drafts, outlines, presentations, final papers)

Independent Research (PSYO 3100/PSYO 3101 | NESC 3100/NESC 3101):

You complete an 8-month research project for course credit (across Fall/Winter terms in the same academic year)
You play an active role in developing the research project, and conduct it in collaboration with your faculty supervisor
Your assessments are project deliverables that you agree on with your supervisor (e.g., drafts, outlines, presentations, final papers)

Both options can be a stepping stone to honours thesis work. They can also be a way for students to get research experience if they don’ t want to pursue honours.

Note: You can earn a maximum of 6 credit hours from these research project courses (either one Independent Research Project, or 1–2 Directed Projects). See our program guidebooks for details!

Complete an honours degree

An honours degree provides you with intensive research training.

You’ll typically need it for research-based graduate programs (e.g., Experimental or Clinical Psychology PhD), but not always for course-based professional programs.

Explore the honours program

Learn about honours thesis research

Apply for an Undergraduate Summer Research Award (USRA)

Faculty of Science Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs) provide the opportunity to do research as a summer job.

You must be in at least the second year of your program to apply
Work terms typically run for 16 weeks (May to August)
You may work with faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and lab staff
Applications are competitive and typically open in December and close in January

Learn more about Undergraduate Summer Research Awards

Tips for reaching out to potential research supervisors

Explore lab websites, faculty profiles, and faculty publications
Talk to professors, TAs, and advisors about your interests
Reach out by email with a polite, professional, and concise message
Include:
*Your interest and availability
*Why the lab is a good fit for your interests
*Your CV and transcript

Graduate students

Explore opportunities to work with faculty across 30+ labs, groups, and collaborators.

As a graduate student, you’ll conduct your research alongside a faculty supervisor, learning through a hands-on, apprenticeship-based model.