Enrolling as a participant
Projects listed under the “Research Projects” tab of the main menu are actively recruiting participants, and you can learn more about those studies by following the relevant project link. A research study is usually anywhere from 1-4 hours long, and you can be paid for your time and your performance on the tasks.
We are almost always enrolling new subjects for one of our studies. If you are interested in participating as a research subject in any of our work, you can email us at cablab@temple.edu with the subject line “INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING” (include the study name if you know it). A team member will give you information about current enrollment statuses and try to match you to a study that fits your preferences.
Prospective Graduate Students
Dr. Chein will be accepting new students applying to our PhD for Fall 2025. Incoming PhD students should apply directly to the Cognition and Neuroscience program in the Department of Psychology, or contact Dr. Chein (jchein@temple.edu) in advance if applying through one of our program areas (e.g., Developmental, Social).
In your personal statement, please be sure to emphasize your prior research experience and how your research interests fit within the scope of the work being done in the lab. Although there are no hard and fast rules about what makes an applicant stand out, we generally look for applicants who can generate ideas, work independently, teach others, and see projects through completion.
Not sure about a PhD? Temple also offers an MS in Neuroscience, and the lab welcome opportunities to include students from this program in our research.
Join the lab!
Our lab is highly supportive of providing undergraduate research experience. We encourage students working in the lab to present their work at regional and national conferences, and to participate in manuscript publication. Although previous research experience is not required, we are generally looking for undergraduates who meet the following description:
- Ambitious, dependable, self-motivated, and eager to learn independently
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work in the lab for at least 10 hours/week for at least two semesters
- High GPA (minimum 3.5) in psychology, neuroscience, and/or computer science
- Familiarity with working with computers (computer programming is a plus, but not required)
If this sounds like you, please complete our online application and email it to cablab@temple.edu. However, even if it doesn’t sound like you and you want to learn more, please indicate that on your application, and we’ll see what we can do to work with you and help you learn more about research. We will keep your application on file and reach out to you when there’s an opening.
Opportunities for undergraduate research assistants
Our lab offers many unique ways to get involved in research at Temple University. With multiple pathways to explore, all it takes is finding the one that’s the best fit for you! Whether you’re looking to gain hands-on experience, develop new skills, or contribute to cutting-edge studies in cognitive science, there’s a place for you here. Click on an option to learn more!
Volunteer
Have skills you want to share with our team? Volunteering is a great way to contribute!
As a member of our lab, you’ll get to…
- Gain valuable research experience
- Explore data analysis techniques
- Assist with data collection
- Communicate with participants
And throughout it all, you’ll be part of a dynamic team, making the experience both educational and fulfilling.
Class Credit
Want to join the lab and enhance your academic experience? We have a great opportunity for you! Many majors allow students to earn course credit for participating in a research lab, so why not make ours the one you join? To receive credit in our lab, you’ll need to meet certain weekly hour requirements. Each credit corresponds to 3 hours per week in the lab over a 14-week semester, and students can register for up to 4 research-based credits
- 1 credit = 3-4 hr/week
- 2 credits = 6-8 hr/week
- 3 credits = 9-12 hr/week
- 4 credits =12-16 hr/week
You can choose the number of credits that fits your schedule to see what works best for you! However, we do expect all of our research assistants to commit a full 10 hours a week to our lab, regardless of credit hours. Want to learn more? Feel free to reach out via email to ask any questions, as well as get in contact with your college advisor!
Work Study
Looking for ways to earn money toward your tuition while gaining valuable experience? If you qualify for Federal Work-Study, you can use it to work in our lab and contribute to exciting research! You’ll gain practical skills while earning a biweekly paycheck towards your tuition costs. To learn more and check for eligibility, check out the Student Financial Aid Office tab below or email wkstudy@temple.edu for more information.
Control and Adaptive Behavior Laboratory
Temple University Brain Research & Imaging Center
1701 N 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122