The OSU Human-Animal Interaction Lab periodically seeks Undergraduate Research Assistants for a range of projects in areas including cat and dog behavior and cognition. We also sometimes have opportunities in the areas of horse and livestock behavior. To learn more about a specific volunteer RA position please see below.

Current Volunteer RA Opportunities

 

No current opportunities available! 

If you are interested in joining our ‘Research Assistant Waitlist’ to hear about future volunteer opportunities please fill out the form at the link below. (You are welcome to both make contact about individual opportunities above and register for our waitlist, especially if you would be interested in more than one research area): 

Join the Human Animal Interaction Lab RA Waitlist

Past Volunteer Opportunities for RAs- No longer accepting applicants

Problem-Solving & Persistence

The HAI lab is no longer seeking volunteer research assistants for projects focusing on canine problem-solving behaviors, training, and human-dog communication. Specific duties will be discussed with applicants, however in general we are looking for individuals to assist with literature reviews, problem-solving tests with dogs, and code behavioral data from videos. For this project, we are requesting a minimum of two hours per week for at least two months. 

Please contact Lauren Brubaker at brubakel [at] oregonstate.edu for more information!

 

Social Interactions in Dog Parks

The HAI lab is no longer seeking volunteers for this study. A year-long research project examining human-dog and dog-dog social interactions in public, off-leash dog parks in the Willamette Valley. We are currently seeking assistants for data collector, data organizer, and behavioral coding roles. Specific duties will be discussed with applicants, but we are requesting a minimum commitment of two hours per week for at least 3 continuous months.

 

 

Cat Cognition, Behavior & Kitten Training

The HAI lab is no longer seeking volunteers for this study. Projects focusing on cat behavior, cognition, and the human-cat bond. Specific duties will be discussed with applicants, however in general we are looking for people run behavioral tests with kittens, run preference assessments or serve as a play assistant with adult cats, and code behavioral data from videos. There may also be opportunity to assist with kitten training classes. For these projects, we are requesting a minimum commitment of two hours per week for at least one term.  
Please contact kristyn.shreve [at] oregonstate.edu for more information!

 

Dog Cognition & Behavior 

The HAI lab is no longer seeking volunteers for this study. Projects on dog play behavior, dog cognition and problem-solving behavior, and the human-dog bond. Specific duties will be discussed with applicants, however in general we are looking for people to assist with literature reviews, conduct assessments aimed at exploring what dogs prefer to work for during training, serve as a play assistant with dogs, and code behavioral data from videos. For these projects, we are requesting a minimum commitment of two hours per week for at least one term.