Student Research Opportunities

The following positions are for students who are seeking work experience in Early Childhood Research.
At UNL, additional student research opportunities are available from UCARE.

Faculty: Post Your Research Opportunities


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Enhancing Early Childhood Educators' Reflective Practice and Content Knowledge to Increase Children's Capacity for Science Talk

FACULTY: Soo-Young Hong, Ph.D.
CONTACT EMAIL: shong5@unl.edu
POSITION TYPE: Paid graduate assistantship
POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Experience in early childhood settings; Ability to effectively use technology for communication
AGE GROUP: Preschool/Pre-K
HOURS PER WEEK: 0.5 FTE

The project aims to strengthen early childhood educators' capacity to build science content knowledge and confidence in guiding preschool-aged children's scientific investigation; observe children's interactions with science materials and scientific ideas; and use those observations in the reflection, planning, and practice of science teaching. The project is conducted by a multidisciplinary team with experts in the fields of early childhood, science education, biological sciences, civil engineering, and entomology, and we will be working with early childhood educators serving Nebraska's rural communities. Year 1 work (2023-2024) will include the development of a professional learning program and its feasibility test.

Preschool Children's Science Learning Study

FACULTY: Soo-Young Hong, PhD
Yao Yao, MS (Doctoral Candidate)
CONTACT EMAIL: yyao519@huskers.unl.edu
POSITION TYPE: Paid hourly
Course credit
POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Experience with young children and their family; willing to stay engaged at least 6-8 months
AGE GROUP: Preschool/Pre-K
HOURS PER WEEK: Flexible/Vary

This is a doctoral dissertation project that examines how parents learn to use elaborative conversation strategies to engage their preschool children in science-related conversations at home. We are looking for undergraduate research assistants currently in junior or senior standing and majoring in the child development or a related field. Students will help the principal investigator collect field data over a four-month period (i.e., home visits). In addition to the data collection, students will be trained to code videos and analyze qualitative data using research tools such as MAXQDA. The ideal start date is late September 2023.

Physical Activity in Health Promotion Lab

FACULTY: Danae Dinkel
CONTACT EMAIL: dmdinkel@unomaha.edu
POSITION TYPE: Paid graduate assistantship
POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Master's degree in Kinesiology, Public Health, comfortable working with families
AGE GROUP: Prenatal
Infant
Toddlers
Preschool/Pre-K
HOURS PER WEEK: 20

Seeking a motivated PhD student for a research assistantship to help with a variety of projects related to supporting movement for children and families. Ideal start date is January 2024. For more information on related research projects, please see: https://sites.google.com/unomaha.edu/dinkellab/home

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods (UNL MAP Academy)

FACULTY: HyeonJin Yoon, PhD
CONTACT EMAIL: hyoon5@unl.edu
POSITION TYPE: Paid hourly
POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Experience with designing and executing research using qualitative and/or quantitative methods
AGE GROUP: Lifespan
HOURS PER WEEK: Negotiable

Undergraduate research assistants will assist with: field data collection using interviews, focus groups, and surveys; analyzing data using qualitative research tools (e.g., MAXQDA); managing data; developing and managing Qualtrics surveys; quantitative analysis; participating in meetings. We are looking for individuals with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, communication skills, and who is a self-starter. Working knowledge and skills in social, behavioral, and/or educational research is required. Applicants should submit a resume and one-page cover letter describing their experience and interest to: Dr. HyeonJin Yoon Assistant Professor, MAP Academy University of Nebraska–Lincoln hyoon5@unl.edu

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods

FACULTY: Lorey Wheeler, Ph.D.
CONTACT EMAIL: lorey@unl.edu
POSITION TYPE: Paid graduate assistantship
POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Experience with designing and executing research using qualitative and/or quantitative methods 
AGE GROUP: Lifespan
HOURS PER WEEK: 19.5

Position overview: The faculty/staff in the MAP Academy collaborate with scientists from various disciplines to help promote the design and implementation of methodologically sound research, and to provide effective grant-writing support to help optimize UNL’s research. MAP Academy collaborations include numerous federally-funded applied, field-relevant research projects. The graduate student will assist with: field data collection using interview, focus group, and survey; analyzing the qualitative data using qualitative research tools (e.g., NVivo, MAXQDA); managing and analyzing quantitative data; developing and managing Qualtrics surveys; disseminating research findings; participating in meetings.

Parents of Newborns

FACULTY: Julia Torquati
CONTACT EMAIL: jtorquati@unl.edu
POSITION TYPE: Volunteer
Course credit
POSITION REQUIREMENTS: access to a password protected computer with Zoom
AGE GROUP: Infant
HOURS PER WEEK: flexible

We are studying the transition to parenting and predictors of parenting behaviors. We are looking for students who are interested in conducting online interviews with parents via Zoom for the Parents of Newborns Study. You will be trained to use the Working Model of the Child Interview, and to record a parent-infant play interaction on Zoom. Each interview and interaction will take up to two hours. Must have access to a password protected computer with Zoom.

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