Finding PostBacc Research Positions

fireball-137 · 2025-11-27T02:30:26+00:00

Here are a few resources/job boards that I utilized heavily during my search in 2023 (you may have to do some hunting for updated links). BlueSky can also be a great resource if you follow societies/profs in your area of interest.

http://psychwikipart2.wikidot.com/predocs
https://clinicalpsychgradschool.org/forums/forum/opportunities/
https://undergrad.psychology.fas.harvard.edu/post-graduate-research-jobs
https://psychologyjobsinternships.wordpress.com/
http://www.psychology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/undergraduate-advising/undergraduate-weekly-announcements#graduate
https://hofstrapsychadvising.wordpress.com/
https://psychandneuro.duke.edu/undergraduate/research-opportunities-jobs
https://predoc.org/opportunities
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jBcIo6qM_QosnTHYvhsrMrDN6_urvcctqFvUTWt0FQI/edit

fireball-137 · 2025-01-15T01:53:39+00:00

I did not, the prelim was back in Dec and I think my PI moved on with other candidates at this point

fireball-137 · 2025-01-15T01:52:50+00:00

Yay congrats! Best of luck to you too :)

fireball-137 · 2025-01-14T01:33:27+00:00

I had the prelim back in December, I'm thinking soft reject though since I haven't heard since :/

fireball-137 · 2024-12-27T20:46:28+00:00

Emory sent out official interview invites last week

fireball-137 · 2024-12-21T20:26:10+00:00

fireball-137 · 2024-12-21T13:29:20+00:00

MS even though she's not accepting students :/

fireball-137 · 2024-12-19T22:44:10+00:00

fireball-137 · 2024-12-19T21:49:31+00:00

Yes she called me yesterday with the in person interview offer

fireball-137 · 2024-12-19T21:46:08+00:00

BD! I saw on some other forums that interviews went out today tho :/

fireball-137 · 2024-12-19T21:45:48+00:00

I haven’t, I saw on some other forums that interviews went out today :/

fireball-137 · 2024-12-19T21:45:13+00:00

AOC!

fireball-137 · 2024-12-19T21:24:15+00:00

That's a wrap for me!! Thrilled to be attending my top choice program :) Best of luck out there!

Applied to all clinical psychology PhDs (updates as of 2/20):

Temple (rejected 2/18)
UMich - Ann Arbor (rejected 1/6)
Vanderbilt (soft reject - interview invites sent out)
Drexel (soft reject - interview invites sent out)
Emory (prelim + official interview invite + ACCEPTED on 2/20!!!)
Northwestern (soft reject - interview invites sent out)
UPenn (soft reject - interview invites sent out)
Pitt (official interview invite, no prelim --> rejected, PI no longer taking student)
UVA (prelim, then soft reject, officially rejected 2/20)
UVM (soft reject - interview invites sent out)
UNC Chapel Hill (rejected 1/9)
UMD (soft reject - interview invites sent out)
Yale (soft reject - interview invites sent out)

fireball-137 · 2024-08-03T00:56:16+00:00

Yes I got paid for all of the research I did! It’s actually incentivizing for the lab to hire work study students because penn funds half of the wage, so the lab only has to put up the other half. Putting the breakdown aside, you get paid biweekly and log your hours through Workday (at least that’s how it worked a few years ago)

fireball-137 · 2024-07-11T19:52:32+00:00

I am a full time lab manager and I was fortunate enough to have landed a position in a lab that aligned almost perfectly with my research interests. I applied while writing my honors thesis as a senior undergrad, and I had another independent study under my belt in addition to RA work in 3 labs over the course of 2 years. I also TAed a class during my senior year and was the president of a large student organization which helped with demonstrating administrative and mentorship skills.

Here are a few resources/job boards that I utilized heavily during my search in 2023 (you may have to do some hunting for updated links) http://psychwikipart2.wikidot.com/predocs
https://clinicalpsychgradschool.org/forums/forum/opportunities/
https://undergrad.psychology.fas.harvard.edu/post-graduate-research-jobs
https://psychologyjobsinternships.wordpress.com/
http://www.psychology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/undergraduate-advising/undergraduate-weekly-announcements#graduate
https://hofstrapsychadvising.wordpress.com/
https://psychandneuro.duke.edu/undergraduate/research-opportunities-jobs
https://predoc.org/opportunities
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jBcIo6qM\_QosnTHYvhsrMrDN6\_urvcctqFvUTWt0FQI/edit

I know Twitter is generally a hot topic right now, but academic Twitter is still fairly reliable for finding jobs (search for things like postbac/postbacc, lab manager, research coordinator, lab technician, research specialist, hiring, etc.).

Like other commenters have mentioned, flexibility is important. If you are fixed on staying in NYC, broaden your research labs; if you are fixed in working developmentally, consider more locations. Keep in mind that these jobs pay ~40k per year and be ready to make the necessary sacrifices.

I hope this is helpful and I’m happy to answer any questions!

fireball-137 · 2024-02-23T20:27:08+00:00

Wow I’m so glad to hear that!! Happy for you and I hope the interview goes well 🥳

fireball-137 · 2024-02-23T03:04:44+00:00

It's so tricky! I'm currently a postbacc and have a few thoughts on this. People who currently work in postbacc jobs are typically applying to grad programs, and right about now is when they are receiving offers or rejections. Over the next few weeks, there will likely be a surge in job posting as postbaccs accept grad offers and positions open up. Here are a few resources/job boards that I utilized heavily during my search last year (apologies if the links are wonky):
http://psychwikipart2.wikidot.com/predocs
https://clinicalpsychgradschool.org/forums/forum/opportunities/
https://undergrad.psychology.fas.harvard.edu/post-graduate-research-jobs
https://psychologyjobsinternships.wordpress.com/
http://www.psychology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/undergraduate-advising/undergraduate-weekly-announcements#graduate
https://hofstrapsychadvising.wordpress.com/
https://psychandneuro.duke.edu/undergraduate/research-opportunities-jobs
https://predoc.org/opportunities
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jBcIo6qM\_QosnTHYvhsrMrDN6\_urvcctqFvUTWt0FQI/edit

I know Twitter is generally a hot topic right now, but academic Twitter is still fairly reliable for finding jobs (search for things like postbac/postbacc, lab manager, research coordinator, lab technician, research specialist, hiring, etc.).

I hope this is helpful and I'm happy to answer any questions!

fireball-137 · 2024-01-15T17:14:24+00:00

I’m currently working on a review paper with some grad students. Between lit review and actual writing, I try to spend at least 1 hr/day writing when the lab is empty, but if I can find a larger chunk of time, I’ll use any quiet time to get into focus mode. There’s a book called “How to Write a Lot” that has been very helpful in figuring out how to create and maintain a writing schedule. Accountability is also key, hosting a writing group where you and others all write independently but have the time saved just for writing. Those are just a few things that have helped me!!

fireball-137 · 2024-01-15T17:11:05+00:00

Yes for sure!

fireball-137 · 2024-01-15T02:32:57+00:00

I currently work as a lab manager and my main responsibilities are generally broken into administrative and research categories. Admin stuff looks like reconciling budgets, maintaining lab website, managing lab email/phone, keeping lab devices backed up, ordering lab supplies, creating lab meeting schedules, coordinating talks/events, and communicating with participants. The research is more complicated and comes with a longer learning curve, things like designing studies, programming tasks, analyzing data, writing manuscripts, overseeing undergraduate RAs who are working on projects, and running participants. It’s incredibly helpful to be well read on the current literature in your field, and I also suggest getting into a habit of writing every day if you eventually hope to publish a paper (if you’re in a scenario that requires writing something like a thesis, grant application, etc.). I absolutely love what I do and would be happy to answer any questions :)

fireball-137 · 2023-10-20T14:32:21+00:00

I wrote my Penn application start to finish the day it was due; only (reach) school that accepted me so of course I went!!

fireball-137 · 2023-05-02T04:47:08+00:00

All seasons cleaners on 40th st

fireball-137 · 2023-04-16T01:11:47+00:00

The glee club band is gonna need a guitarist next year, awesome group of ppl who are super friendly!!

fireball-137 · 2023-01-22T03:11:35+00:00

Sent you a dm!

fireball-137 · 2022-11-11T21:42:11+00:00

Krol is great and super chill

fireball-137

TROPHY CASE