Each semester, the ADJust Lab evaluates a need for Research Assistants. There are three ways to become involved as an RA:
 

   1. The Juvenile Risk Assessment study is an ongoing, large scale project, for which new RAs are selected at the end of every spring semester for a full calendar year. The purpose of the study is to test diagnostics to improve treatment and risk assessment for youthful offenders in Ingham County. Research Assistants are primarily responsible for data entry, literature searches and reviews, analyses and presentations for court personnel, and file management tasks.

   2. The Crossroads Mothers study is an ongoing longitudinal project that tracks the mothers/female guardians of juvenile offenders from the time of their first arrest to nearly a decade later. Research Assistants are responsible for managing case files and conducting hour-long telephone interviews with participating women.

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   3. Short-term RA positions may arise on an as-needed basis throughout the academic year.

All research assistants must have:

• Dedication, motivation, and an interest in psychology, criminal law, juvenile justice, and research

• A GPA of 3.0 or higher

• 10 hours per week to commit to lab, including mandatory bi-weekly meetings

• Project-specific requirements. For the Juvenile Risk Assessment study, this includes:

  • ​The ability to devote 12 full, consecutive months (including summer months) to lab

  • The ability to work in the Ingham County courthouse 

We maintain a waitlist for applicants interested in joining the lab, whether or not we are not actively recruiting RAs. Interested in applying? Email Dr. Cavanagh (caitcav@msu.edu). You will be notified when positions become available.