Join the Lab
Join
The Concordia Infant Research lab is regularly looking for new members to join our dynamic and inclusive team. We welcome applications from any trainee who is interested in bilingual development, particularly candidates who identify as a member of one or more groups historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Please see our lab’s Statement on Diversity and Inclusion for more information. Note that we welcome students with disabilities (please see Concordia’s Access Centre webpage for details about services offered) or who have other special circumstances—feel free to contact us if you need any type of accommodation.
Prospective Postdoctoral Fellows
We welcome postdoctoral fellows, who join the lab either through grant-funded positions (announced here and on relevant listservs/Twitter), or more often by securing an external post-doctoral fellowship. Information about funding sources for both Canadians and international post-docs is available here. Interested postdoctoral fellows should contact Dr. Byers-Heinlein at k.byers@concordia.ca well before the application deadline, which can be a year or more prior to the desired start date.
Prospective GRADUATE STUDENTS
Dr. Byers-Heinlein is accepting applications from graduate students seeking admission to the Research Training Program. Students seeking admission to the Clinical and Research Training Program are encouraged to seek other mentors. The lab welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who are keen and ready to learn new skills. Students should have some research experience (whether through a formal thesis or other means); an undergraduate or master’s degree in Psychology, Linguistics, Cognitive Science, or a related field; an interest in language and/or bilingualism (whether or not they already have experience in this field); and experience or interest in statistical analysis and/or programming (especially in R). We look for candidates who work well both independently and with others, are self-motivated, and curious. An ability to speak French, or willingness to learn it, are an asset. Please familiarize yourself with the structure of the graduate programs in psychology, and get in touch preferably between August and October (approximately one year before planned entry). Prospective graduate students should e-mail Dr. Byers-Heinlein directly at k.byers@concordia.ca and include:
A brief description of their research experience and why they are interested in joining this lab in particular (see here for more on writing an effective e-mail)
Your unofficial transcript
Your CV
If you have a disability or other needs that require special accommodation prior to, during, or after the application process please indicate so. You can also check Concordia’s Access Centre for more information.
If you’re reading this, you’ve already shown a strong interest in the lab and evidence of your research skills and initiative! Please indicate that you’ve read this webpage in your message.
The lab welcomes both Canadian and International applicants. Tuition fees are based on citizenship and residency. Tuition remission awards that cover these fees are available on a competitive basis for PhD students only (i.e. who have already completed a Master’s degree), and applicants are automatically considered at the time of application. Please note that due to recent changes in Concordia’s funding policies, it is not generally possible to accept international students to the MA program at this time. Interested international students without a master’s degree are encouraged to seek one at another institution and then apply to the PhD program.
Canadian students may have access to government student aid to help cover the cost of tuition and/or living expenses. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply for external funding (deadlines are typically between September and December); applicants who receive external awards are most competitive (see here for more information on graduate fellowship opportunities, including many for students from historically underrepresented groups), and non-Canadian students are encouraged to explore funding options from their home countries, as well as Canadian and Concordia funding options. Prospective students are encouraged to reach out to their current mentors for guidance on when, where, and how to effectively apply for funding. Due to the volume of applications, we are unable to offer tailored guidance to prospective students.
For specific questions about how to apply to graduate programs in psychology and other relevant information, please see the following resources:
Department of Psychology Admissions Requirements, Procedures, and Frequently Asked Questions
What is it like living in Montreal?
All applications will be reviewed after the December 1st deadline, and selected candidates will be invited for a virtual interview.
HONOURS & SPECIALIZATION PROJECT STUDENTS
NOTE: Dr. Byers-Heinlein will be on sabbatical starting August 2024, and will not be taking honours/specialization students for the 2024-2025 school year.
The lab typically welcomes 3 undergraduate honours/specialization students per year. Priority is given to students who have previously volunteered in the lab, and who can begin working on their project ahead of time (usually the summer before your final year), via a) a paid internship program, b) a directed research course, c) doing research on a volunteer basis.
Applications from prospective honours/specialization students will be considered beginning January 15th, and interviews will take place in mid/late January. If additional spots remain, applications received after this deadline will be considered on a rolling basis.
Applications should be sent directly to Dr. Byers-Heinlein (k.byers@concordia.ca), and should include:
A cover letter describing your previous research experience, technical skills, languages spoken, why you would like to complete your honours project in this lab, and whether/how you would plan to start your project early.
An unofficial transcript
Paid Internship programs:
Concordia Undergraduate Student Research Awards Program (CUSRA) – Deadline early February. Notification late March. (16 weeks, value approximately $5,635/summer)
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA). Deadline early/mid February. Notification late March. (16 weeks, value approximately $5,635/summer)
FRQS - Undergraduate Introduction to Research Award – Deadline mid February. Notification end of March. (2–6 months, for a total maximum of $5000/internship)
Directed research (3 credits; PSYCH 387 or PSYC 487):
Download form here. Typically submitted in April.
**You must be accepted to do a project in the lab prior to applying for any of these opportunities
PAID RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
We do not currently have any openings for paid research assistant roles. Lab volunteers are prioritized when such positions open.
Additional positions can sometimes be created via Concordia’s Work Study Program. For Canadians this is open to students who receive financial aid; for International students this is open to students experiencing exceptional financial difficulty. If you are interested in a work study position, please get in touch as soon as possible at kbh.coordinator@concordia.ca.
Volunteers
We are always looking for motivated and enthusiastic individuals to join our team of volunteer research assistants. Volunteers get hands-on experience with developmental research. Depending on skills and interest, volunteers might be involved in conducting research projects, recruiting participants, running studies with infants, coding data, creating stimulus materials, and helping with the setup and maintenance of equipment and facilities.
Please note that Concordia students are prioritized for volunteer positions. Due to recent University policy changes, hosting volunteers from external institutions is complicated.
Volunteers are expected to:
Commit to a minimum of 7-12 hours/week (occasional weekend availability is required)
Have some proficiency in both English and French
To apply, send a copy of the following to kbh.coordinator@concordia.ca :
Your CV
An unofficial copy of your transcript
A completed application form (get it here)
Note: You can send us your application at any time, but we recommend sending it again in August and April, our busiest recruitment periods.