The Comparative Cognition Laboratory Summer Internship Program 2013

The Comparative Cognition Laboratory at Yale offers several volunteer undergraduate internships for the Summer of 2013.  The program, directed by Dr. Laurie Santos, features a 10-week internship that involves hands-on research experience and training in comparative cognition.

Responsibilities

Interns will participate in ongoing research projects investigating cognition in capuchin monkeys.  Interns will aid in planning and carrying out studies with a team of other students while working directly with the socially-housed captive capuchin monkeys at our facility.  They will also work on coding projects and analysis of data, all while having the opportunity to learn new statistical software and video-edition procedures.  Students must commit at least 10 hours/week for 10 full weeks during the summer months. 

Opportunity

Summer interns will be involved in all phases of the comparative research.  The lab provides a fun and rewarding summer environment, in which students will participate in weekly lab meetings, read current research articles, and aid in both the planning and design of research projects.  The internship provides unparalleled opportunities to gain experience working with primates in an enjoyable atmosphere.

Professional Training

Our interns will also have the opportunity to take part in professional development training. Each intern will be assigned a graduate student mentor that they will meet with biweekly. In addition, interns will attend a weekly professional development workshop, in which they will have the opportunity to learn about applying to graduate school and life in academia.  Past workshop topics have included “Getting the most out of undergrad,” “What’s grad school really like?” and “Workshopping personal statements.”  

Compensation

The summer internship program is on a volunteer basis.  Students are required to find their own housing in the New Haven area.  No funding will be provided, but students are encouraged to look into granting opportunities provided by their home institutions. 

Application

All prospective interns will need to provide the following materials:

1. 1.An application form found here
   

2. 2. One letter of recommendation
   

3. 3.A resume/CV
   

Please submit all application materials (including the letter of recommendation) electronically to yalecaplab@gmail.com

Note: all accepted interns will be required to provide proof of a negative TB test. 

Timeline

Please submit your completed application no later than Friday, March 30th, 2013 at 5:00pm.

Questions?

For more information, contact Linda Chang (Lab Manager for the Comparative Cognition Laboratory).