DOPS Graduate Research Assistant – Federal Work Study (Remote-Flexible, Student Wage)

Investigating Emotional and Cognitive Development in Children with Extraordinary Memories 

The Division of Perceptual Studies (DOPS) at UVA’s School of Medicine invites applications for a Graduate research assistant to join a multidisciplinary project exploring emotional and cognitive development in children who report extraordinary experiences, including purported memories of past lives. The Research Assistant will work closely with Dr. Saeedeh Sadeghi and provide integral support across various stages of the research process. The role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to pioneering studies at the intersection of child development, consciousness studies, and behavioral science. 

This is a part-time position (10–20 hours/week) with remote flexibility This is a part-time position (10–20 hours/week) with remote flexibility. Some in-person meetings or support for behavioral experiments at the Division’s downtown Charlottesville office will be required, with frequency determined by project needs. 

Position Responsibilities: 

• Conducting literature reviews on emotional and cognitive development in early childhood 

• Assisting in behavioral experiment design and data collection of for children with or without reported past-life memories 

• Supporting participant recruitment and communication with families, including parents of children 

• Participating in study documentation and data organization 

• Assisting in qualitative coding of parent and child narratives (as needed) 

• Contributing to early-stage data analysis and/or survey development 

• Completing required IRB research ethics training 

Qualifications: 

• Graduate-level coursework or training in psychology, neuroscience, education, or related fields 

• Demonstrated interest in developmental science, consciousness studies, or parapsychology 

• Experience conducting human subjects research 

• Interest in engaging and working with children (ages 3–5), even if direct experience is limited 

• Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

A background check will be required for this position.

Please submit CV/resume and cover letter.

Employer: Division of Perceptual Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine 

Address: 210 10th St. NE, Suite 100, Charlottesville, VA 22901 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Current UVA graduate student, Federal Work Study award required
Licensure: None

Experience:

• Graduate-level coursework or training in psychology, neuroscience, education, or related fields 

• Demonstrated interest in developmental science, consciousness studies, or parapsychology 

• Experience conducting human subjects research 

• Interest in engaging and working with children (ages 3–5), even if direct experience is limited 

• Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity e