We welcome inquiries and applications from outstanding students who are passionate about studying how social cognition influences development.
We currently have openings for exceptional new volunteers (minimum committment of 4-5 hours/week) and directed studies or honours students (8-10 hours/week for course credit).
Note: Directed Studies students must have a minimum of 72% in their last 30 credits. Successful applicants often have higher GPAs.
If interested in applying, email your application (available below) and your unofficial transcript to ubckidlab@psych.ubc.ca
Join the Lab as a Volunteer: Volunteer Application
Join the Lab as a Directed Studies or Honours Student: (for course credit): Application
Directed Studies Opportunities:
Earn course credit (3 credits for one term or 6 credits for two terms) by working in our psychology laboratory for approximately 8-10 hours per week throughout the term(s). We have a variety of projects ongoing examining children’s social cognition (i.e., how they reason about what others know, think, and believe). A student’s responsibilities vary depending on the project they undertake for course credit but often include assisting with creating study materials, recruiting and testing participants (ages 3-10 or adults), data entry, and literature reviews.
We are especially interested in individuals who are very reliable and organized, mature and professional, and who can work well independently as well as part of a team. Experience working with children is an asset. Experience working in a research lab is also an asset.
Applicants who lack this specific experience but have related experience or are fast learners are also encouraged to apply.
For one project, we are especially interested in someone who has experience with computer programming (or who is interested in working largely independently to familiarize themselves with these techniques). This student will assist with a research project that involves creating an online application for simple experiment-based games to foster and study children’s and adults’ social perspective taking abilities. The ideal candidate will have experience creating HTML5-based client apps, preferably using open-source platforms and materials.
Join the Lab as a Postdoctoral Fellow
Dr. Birch is open to sponsoring applicants for various postdoctoral awards. Information on some opportunities are outlined below. Interested individuals should email Dr. Birch directly.
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Program (open citizenship)
Killam Post-doctoral Research Fellowship (open citizenship)
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (open to Canadian citizens or permanent residentscitizenship)
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (open to Canadian citizens or permanent residentscitizenship)
Additional Opportunities and Resources (for Current and Prospective Postdoctoral Fellows at UBC)
Searchable Database of Government of Canada Fellowship Opportunities (for both Canadian and International Students)
Join the Lab as a Graduate Student:
Dr. Birch is considering outstanding graduate student applications. If you are looking to pursue a graduate degree in psychology and are considering applying to the graduate program at UBC please consult the UBC Psychology Department website for information on our graduate programme and instructions on how to apply. If you have any additional questions, you may wish to contact our graduate programme secretary.