Opportunities are available for Volunteer Interns on two projects within the Developmental Mechanisms Program at the Department of Medical Social Sciences. The MAPS Follow-up Study (FUS) has followed a cohort of children from preschool age (3-5 yrs), to early school age (6-8 yrs), and now to pre-adolescence (9-10 yrs). The primary goal of the investigation is to identify developmentally based brain:behavior markers in early childhood that best predict which young children are most at risk for chronic mental health problems in early adolescence. The When To Worry (W2W) study is designed to enhance early identification of mental health problems beginning in infancy, characterizing atypical patterns and neural bases of irritability in the first years of life (12-36 mos.).
Interns are key members of the Developmental Mechanisms Team, and will learn about the process of conducting developmentally sensitive assessments with a diverse population of parents and children. Lab- based assessments include direct observation, neurocognitive tasks, developmental tasks and parent interviews about clinical symptoms and family context. Interns will work as part of the research team to ensure participant assessments run smoothly and efficiently. They will be involved in lab visit preparation, administration, and completion, and will input data into research study software systems. Interns may interact with parents and children and perform other study-related duties as required.
Individuals interested in applying for an internship should be able to interact comfortably and professionally with diverse families and young children. Other necessary skills include an ability to work well as part of a team, excellent attention to detail, strong organizational skills. Interns should be reliable and have a flexible attitude towards work. A flexible schedule is essential, and evening and weekend work may be required. This internship requires a 6 month commitment for approximately 10 hours/week, pending the availability of scheduled visits.
This is an excellent opportunity for students who are interested in gaining experience in a research setting and learning about the day-to-day operations of a longitudinal, multi-dimensional study. The Developmental Mechanisms Program will provide initial and ongoing training relating to the role. The Program will also provide mentoring, such as help with resumes, applications, etc., opportunities to participate in team meetings and scientifically relevant activities (e.g., journal club), and letter of recommendation, if the intern adheres to the expectations of internship.
To apply for the position, please send a resume to Martha Neary, W2W Project Coordinator,
martha.neary@northwestern.edu.
