Join Us | Elenbaas Lab

WE ARE HIRING A LAB MANAGER!

Dr. Elenbaas is hiring a full-time Lab Manager to begin in summer 2025. Our Lab Manager will coordinate several projects on moral development and intergroup attitudes in childhood. Primary responsibilities include community partner coordination, participant recruitment, data collection, team member training, and administrative management. This position will include opportunities to grow as a developmental scientist and would be especially well suited for someone interested in graduate school in HDFS, developmental psychology, or a related field. This is a two-year, in-person position.

Qualifications:

BA or BS in psychology, HDFS, or a related field.
At least two years of experience working with children, including at least six months of experience in a research setting involving children and/or families.
Abilities to proactively multi-task, problem-solve, work independently, lead small groups, and stay organized.
Comfort interacting professionally with children, families, and research partners.
Please note that Purdue will not sponsor a visa for this position; you must already have permission to work in the US.

Responsibilities:

Community partner coordination: Maintain and grow positive relationships with our 60+ partners across the state who host us for data collection and use study results in their social and emotional programs.
Participant recruitment: Coordinate with partners to recruit children and families to participate in our studies. Our lab runs multiple studies simultaneously. We work primarily with children ages 3 to 12 years.
Data collection: Coordinate consent and assent; administer individual interviews and surveys with children and/or parents. We often use experimental methods. Study sample sizes range from 150 to 450.
Team member training: Recruit, train, schedule, and monitor teams of 8-10 undergrad RAs each semester engaged in data collection, data entry, and other administrative tasks.
Lab administration: Monitor project budgets; maintain and order lab equipment and supplies; assist with IRB; troubleshoot day-to-day challenges.
Please note that this position requires regular driving and involves a variable schedule. You must have a reliable car to drive yourself and others to community partners; your mileage costs will be covered. You will work early evenings a few times a week and Saturdays about twice a month. Our community-based work lowers the barriers to families' participation in research and helps diversify developmental science. The entire lab works on our partners' and participants' schedules.

More details: This position is internally funded. As determined by HR, pay is about $36k per year, plus benefits. Lab Managers in our group regularly present at national conferences and co-author papers with the team. Past Lab Managers have gone on to graduate study in psychology, human development, and education.

How to apply: Submit (1) your CV, (2) a cover letter explaining your interest in the position, previous research experience, and career goals, and (3) contact info for three professional references to [link coming soon] (requisition ID coming soon).

Next steps: Dr. Elenbaas will review all applications in detail. She will ask 3-5 applicants to complete a short online skills assessment reflecting some of the common responsibilities for this role. She will invite 2-3 top applicants to Zoom interview with her and senior members of the lab. She will call references for 1-2 interviewed applicants. Finally, she will make an offer. We are aiming for a July 2025 start date.

WE ARE RECRUITING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS!

Our lab is accepting new undergraduate Research Assistants (RAs) at Purdue, to begin the summer 2025 or fall 2025 semester. Our RAs learn about social development directly by working hands-on with children and families, and gain skills in science communication, data ethics, and professional collaboration.

RAs earn academic credits by registering for HDFS 390. One academic credit = three hours of lab time per week. We have a strong preference for new RAs who can work for nine hours per week (i.e., three credits) and can commit to at least two semesters of involvement. Regardless of hourly commitment, we require that new RAs (a) be able to attend our lab meeting (noon - 1:00 pm Mondays for summer 2025), and (b) be available for lab activities on at least two weekday afternoons (Monday - Friday, 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm) and at least one Saturday a month, because this is when children are available to participate in our studies.

To apply, first fill out the RA application form. We will review your application and contact you for an interview.

FAQs for RA applicants:

I don't have prior research experience, am I eligible? Yes! We look forward to welcoming you to developmental science.
I'm interested for a future semester, what do I put for my schedule? Take your best guess for the application and update us as soon as you have an established schedule.
What do RAs in this lab do? RAs spend most of their time at our community partner sites collecting data with children and families. We work in groups and travel to sites together.
What jobs do RAs go on to after the lab? We train future teachers, counselors, social workers, nurses, pediatricians, youth advocates, lawyers, research coordinators, and more. Check out our lab alumni!
Can I do an honors thesis with this lab? Dr. Elenbaas mentors students in the DVFS Capstone Thesis program. Advanced RAs may also be invited to contribute to presentations and publications with the lab.

INFO FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS!

Dr. Elenbaas is not reviewing applications to Purdue's HDFS PhD program this cycle (to begin fall 2026).

Our graduate program trains research scientists in basic and applied methods, places a strong emphasis on culture and diversity across the lifespan, and supports original empirical research through an apprenticeship mentorship model. Please follow these links to find out more about Purdue’s PhD program in HDFS including an overview of research in the department, FAQs about the program, info on funding (current nine-month stipend for 2025-2026 is $22,351), graduate certificates including Advanced Methods, research centers including the Center for Families and the Center for Early Learning, the lab preschool, departmental DEI initiatives, application requirements, and the application portal itself.

FAQs for PhD applicants:

What does Dr. Elenbaas look for when reviewing applications? A degree in psychology, HDFS, or similar. Substantive research experience in the form of an honors thesis, fellowship project, post-bac position, master's thesis, or similar. Demonstrated interest in intergroup attitudes, moral development, or both.
How do I know if I am a good fit for this lab? Review this website and read recent publications from the lab to determine whether the research questions that we pursue are aligned with your interests.
What is it like to be a PhD student in this lab? Grad students train in every aspect of the research process by collaborating on ongoing projects, and train undergraduates in turn. Simultaneously, students develop their independent areas of research that fall within the lab's focus. As a part of their professional development, students present at conferences, write papers, and submit grant proposals.
What is Dr. Elenbaas' mentorship style? Dr. Elenbaas is highly engaged in her students' development and success. Applicants invited to join the lab will receive a copy of her mentorship statement.
I want to apply; should I reach out? Yes! Email Dr. Elenbaas to introduce yourself. Include your CV.