Life in the lab

The lab provides hands-on training in state-of-the-art analysis methods for electrophysiology data, careful experimental design and psychophysics, computational modeling of brain and behavioral data, cutting-edge statistical methods, communication of scientific ideas and results, and the use of non-invasive brain stimulation in cognitive neuroscience research. If these sound like skills you are interested in, consider applying!

As a team, we value inclusivity and cooperation. Science is a group effort and we learn more by working together. The lab also prioritizes honesty and transparency in scientific research. As a consequence, being meticulous and detail-oriented helps. Anything you do in the lab someone else should be able to repeat later. As a mentor, Jason is happy to be involved in all aspects of research from design, to data collection, to analysis and writing. The larger community of researchers in Psychology and Neuroscience at UCSC can also serve as an important point of contact for mentorship and collaboration is highly encouraged. The lab is (working on being) non-hierarchical - mentorship also comes from all members of the lab.

Work-life balance is respected; there is so much to do in Santa Cruz that will make you a happier person! See the pictures above and below for just a few examples.

PhD students

We are currently recruiting PhD students! Interested students should reach out to Jason (jsamaha@ucsc.edu) with a brief description of their background, research interests, and research and academic experience. We especially encourage those from underrepresented backgrounds/identities in cognitive neuroscience to apply.

Students are accepted through the Department of Psychology graduate program (more info here). To apply visit the graduate studies webpage.

Existing skills in any of the following areas are valued, but the willingness to learn is valued even more.

• • Computer programming (Matlab, Python, R, Java, Julia)

  • Experience with electrophysiology (EEG, ECoG, MEG, animal recordings)

  • Experience with perception experiments and design (psychophysics, psychtoolbox, psychopy)

  • Statistics and machine learning (GLM, non-parametric statistics, multivariate pattern analysis, Bayesian models)

  • Experience with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or transcranial current stimulation (tACS or tDCS)

  • Cognitive/neural modeling (signal detection theory, drift diffusion, Bayesian models, population coding models, attractor networks, connectionist models, biophysical models)

Undergraduate research assistants (RAs)

We are currently recruiting highly motivated undergraduate RAs. Students willing to commit to ~15 hours per week of lab work can earn 5 credits via Psyc 194.

Interested undergraduates should read about our research on this website and maybe a paper or two. If the work sounds interesting and you want to apply, please fill out the following form so we can get to know a bit about you. Undergraduate RA application form

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Psyc 194 add codes are typically assigned during the first week of each quarter.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic by law.