We are always looking for new talent to join the Barker Lab! Please email Dr. Barker as indicated below if you are interested in joining the lab.
Graduate Students
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online to the School of Graduate Studies.
Applicants should apply to the Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience Area within the Department of Psychology
Required components of the application include:
Undergraduate transcripts.
Graduate transcripts, for applicants with prior graduate work.
GRE scores (verbal, quantitative, and writing).
TOEFL scores for applicants with a native language other than English.
Personal statement describing research interests. It is essential to include the names of faculty members with whom the applicant would like to work.
Three letters of recommendation.
Check the Department of Psychology website for deadlines and specific details.
Applicants might also be accepted through the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Please email Dr. Barker if you are interested in pursuing this option.
Postdoctoral Fellows
Email Dr. Barker and provide the following information:
A brief description of your past and future research interests.
A current Curriculum Vitae.
At least one recent first-author publication.
3 letters of reference emailed directly Dr. Barker.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Undergraduate students from a wide range of majors including Psychology, Cell Biology and Neuroscience, and Biomedical Engineering will be considered.
Email Dr. Barker to determine if openings are available. If there is an opening, an interview and lab tour will be arranged.
Work in the lab consists of various duties involving laboratory animals (mice and rats). Lab members are expected to arrange a consistent weekly schedule to perform these duties and to maintain this schedule throughout the semester. Typical laboratory duties include monitoring the animal colony,maintaining the laboratory and laboratory equipment, preparing reagents, conducting experimental procedures, organizing and analyzing experimental data, and presenting experimental data to other lab members. On the basis of merit, students with sufficient experience in the lab may have the opportunity to perform their own experiments, conduct an honors thesis project, present at scientific conferences, or serve as co-authors on peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Expectations for Undergraduate Research Assistants:
Work in the lab for 5 hours per credit hour for at least 2 consecutive semesters (minimum 3 credits per semester unless otherwise arranged).
Attend weekly lab meetings.
Arrive punctually and ready to dedicate your time to experiments. Our work requires the utmost attention to detail.