Research Student PD

SUMMARY
Summer Student Research Assistants

ELIGIBILITY
Undergraduate students with strong interest in behavioral sciences research and who demonstrate enthusiasm for, commitment to, and availability for the full program are encouraged to apply. Previous courses or lab work in sleep or circadian rhythms are helpful but not required. Students from local institutions are asked to maintain participation in sleep lab activities beyond the summer by working on the lab's sleep studies during the school year. Apprentices must reside in or near Providence for the summer. [Graduate students are accepted under special circumstances. Students may apply for a repeat summer experience as a Senior Research Apprentice, with a slightly higher stipend.] Successful applicants are required to apply for student membership ($45 Fee) in the Sleep Research Society.

RESPONSIBILITIES
What Research Apprentices Learn

Formal Training Program

Introduction to normal human sleep and circadian rhythms

Central nervous system and neurophysiological basis of electroencephalography (EEG) and EEG spectral analysis

Polysomnographic (PSG) recording techniques, including EEG, EMG, EOG, EKG, respiratory plethysmography, oxygen saturation, electrode hookup

Operation and calibration of PSG monitoring equipment

Multiple Sleep Latency Test procedures, performance testing, identification of sleep stages, saliva collection for melatonin and cortisol

Introduction to radioimmunoassay and gene association analyses

Basic lab procedures, including working with human child and adolescent participants

Ethical conduct of research

Experimental hypotheses, rationale, and methods for laboratory's summer research project

Presentation skills, including effective creation of Powerpoint slide presentation

Skills in preparing for attending a scientific meeting

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The major research project during the summer assesses the circadian rhythms and sleep homeostatic process in children and adolescents. This project includes lengthy in-lab sessions that involve assessments on non-24-hour days, thus necessitating staff involvement at times that circle the clock.

Research Apprentices carry out multiple facets of data collection (electrode application, one-to-one work with research participants, forms and tests administration), data reduction, and data entry. During the research phases of the program, apprentices are assigned to teams and work 5 or 6 days each week - not always Monday through Friday, often Saturday and Sunday - in research protocols that involve working unusual schedules. Although we attempt to assign teams to hours that correspond to team members' circadian phase preferences, applicants must be able and willing to work on any of the following types of schedules for all or part of the program: Owl shifts may begin as early as 2 pm or as late as 9:45 pm and end as early as 10:30 pm or as late as 5:45 am; lark shifts may begin as early as 3:00 am or as late as noon and may end as early as 8:45 am or as late as 5:15 pm; neither shifts may begin as early as 6:45 am or as late as 3:45 pm and end as early as 11:00 am or as late as 10:15 pm. [Sleep planning assistance is provided to facilitate your adaptation to work schedules.]

Pay Range
$18.00-$25.82

EEO Statement
Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

Location
Rhode Island Hospital - 593 Eddy Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Work Type
8-5

Work Shift
Variable

Daily Hours
4 hours

Driving Required
No

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