Prospective Graduate Students
Dr. Saffran will be considering applications for doctoral students to begin Fall ’26. You can read more about what Dr. Saffran is looking for in applications at this link: https://psych.wisc.edu/graduate-program/admission-and-requirements/jenny-saffran-information-for-prospective-graduate-students/
Undergraduate Research Assistants
The Infant Learning Lab generally has several openings for new undergraduate students to join the lab every semester. We encourage undergraduates to be actively involved in the intellectual life of the lab, and to that end, we have a weekly lab meeting during fall and spring semesters in which we review data, plan experiments, and provide suggestions for procedural revisions. Once a semester, undergraduates present a research article of their choice to the lab members and discuss how it relates to their personal research interests.
We are not accepting any new applications for the Spring 2026 semester.
If you have any questions, or would like to come see the lab, feel free to contact us to set up an appointment.
The Infant Learning Lab supports and encourages students of all backgrounds, including on dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religious affiliation, socioeconomic status, nationality, and culture, to apply.
Undergraduate FAQ's
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Who is qualified to work in the lab?
We require at least a 3.0 GPA and a two semester commitment. Applicants should be able to work well with both adults and children, be able to collaborate with peers and juggle multiple daily tasks, and have well-developed problem solving abilities.
Do I have to be a Psychology major to work in this lab?
No! Many of our lab members are interested in psychology; however, we welcome any student who has a keen interest in the research process or in the fields of linguistics, speech therapy, child development, etc. We also occasionally hire Computer Science students to help with coding experiments and statistical analyses.
How do I apply to work in the lab?
We are not currently accepting any new applications for undergraduate research assistants for Spring 2026. Information about the application process for Fall 2026 will be posted here around spring break.
Can I work for pay?
Typically, students receive course credit for their work in the lab (usually 2 or 3 credits, which translates to 6 or 9 hours a week). Occasionally, paid positions are available for experienced staff.
Does lab participation count as a Psychology capstone course?
No.
What are the responsibilities of a Research Assistant?
Research assistants participate in all aspects of the lab, including running experiments, coding infant behavior with eye-tracking and head-turn technology, and recruiting new research participants by letter and phone.
What's the most challenging part about working in the lab?
Undergraduate students are responsible for all our scheduling details and must prevent any appointment conflicts. There’s a lot of information, and it’s important to stay organized in order to work efficiently.
What do undergraduates enjoy most about working in the lab?
Our students enjoy learning about our current studies and helping our researchers run them. Favorite daily tasks include organizing thank-you emails with screenshots from experiments to families, entertaining children while their sibling is participating in a study, and helping families schedule their appointments.
I am graduating soon, can I still apply to work over the summer/next semester?
We only accept students who can make a 2-semester commitment to the lab, not including summers or terms after graduation. On rare occasions, we accept students for volunteer positions over the summer.