Interested in applying for September 2014? I encourage you to contact me ahead of your application.
It helps me to hear about your interests, and being in contact with me
will help you figure out if I am the right supervisor/mentor for you.
When you email me, please let me know how you feel our research interests overlap, and also include
a copy of your CV/resume and transcript (unofficial copy is fine).
Please note that my research focuses on healthy individuals, humans, and I am especially interested in how social contexts
affect hormones (as well as bidirectional associations); if you are interested in a clinical program, non-human
animals, or exclusively or more how hormones affect behavior, I would be happy to recommend some excellent
colleagues to you.
Students can apply through the following programs, or be involved in them once accepted:
Department of Psychology
Department of Women's Studies
- Joint Ph.D. Programs (link)
- Joint Ph.D. Program in Women's Studies and Psychology (link)
University of Michigan Interdisciplinary Programs
- Neuroscience Graduate Program (link)
- Reproductive Sciences Program (link)
The lab is recruiting!
Positions Open for Students who are:
- Comfortable working with people;
- Very detail-oriented and good at multi-tasking;
- Dependable, motivated, and interested in research;
- Able to work in a team environment but also show leadership;
- Majors in Psychology, BBCS, Neuroscience, Women's Studies, Anthropology, etc.;
- Interested in social science (and have taken some social science classes);
- Comfortable working in a lab that addresses sexuality (to be clear, studies
do not involve actual sexual activity in the lab);
- Comfortable working with sexual diversity (e.g. relationships, sexualities, genders);
- 18 years or older (given the lab's focus).
Research Assistants:
- Must have past experience with human research
- Strong leadership skills
- Proficiency with SPSS, Excel, and CTools;
- Part-time 8-20 hrs/wk
- Able to start in December or January;
- Hopefully able to stay through the summer and maybe even the following year(s).
Lab Volunteers
- For folks with interest and enthusiasm, but no experience!
- Part-time of at least 7 hrs/week;
- Able to agree to a two-semester commitment in the lab (this may include a transition from volunteer to paid research assistant);
- If you are looking to join the lab for research credit instead of as a
volunteer, please go to the teaching page and read the info there.
Involvement in the Social Neuroendocrinology Lab Means...
- Testing participants, offering opinions on research design, responding to participant inquiries and questions, postering and online advertising for
recruiting participants, help with study management through data entry and sample pickups in the Ann Arbor area. Also, administrative tasks like
photocopying, picking up books from the library, proofreading, etc. As lab folks show themselves to be sophisticated, dedicated, and interested,
I will encourage increasing responsibility and involvement in the more creative aspects of research!
- There may be some lab work with hormone samples or imaging studies;
previous experience with either (or both!) is not at all necessary.
- Being in the lab during scheduled hours per week (including a one-hour lab meeting).
This may vary throughout the semester, but lab folks will have strong time management skills
that allow them to set and stick to a schedule generally.
- Reading articles suggested by Dr. van Anders or other lab members to provide background or keep current
(if you groan at the thought, this lab unfortunately is not for you!).
- Working professionally and collegially with Dr. van Anders and the other lab members; being respectful
to each other, to visitors, and to participants; promoting a positive lab atmosphere.
- at least one lab social event per semester for lab folks :)
To Apply:
- Send a paper copy of your materials (as listed below, there's no application form)
to the van Anders lab mailbox
(campus mail: 3028 EH, zip: 1043; in person mailbox: East Hall room 3242; or via mail)
- Include a cover letter with your contact information (including umich email).
Address why you're interested in the lab, relevant skills, and other non-course time commitments.
Indicate in a sentence that you are 18 years of age or older. Also indicate any past relevant experience,
if applicable. Indicate whether you are applying for the RA or volunteer position (or both).
- Include a CV/resume with your past experience (including non-academic jobs).
- Include a transcript (please highlight relevant courses and methodology courses, e.g. writing, stats, etc.).
An unofficial transcript is fine!
- Include contact information for two academic references; if you are new to university and/or do not have two academic references,
feel free to include other important referees. If Dr. van Anders considers you for the lab, she will contact your referees.
Looking forward to your applications!
If you have questions about your application, please contact our lab
coordinator: Lane Nesbitt (lritchie @ umich.edu).
If you are interested in joining the lab for your post doctoral work, get in touch!
Unique benefits of working with Dr. Sari van Anders
and her Social Neuroendocrinology Lab:
- Dr. van Anders actually says 'wicked!' on a daily basis;
- Dr. van Anders has (very slowly and not entirely without pain or complaint)
ridden her bike up a mountain;
- Dr. van Anders can introduce you to (or help you develop your already significant appreciation of) contemporary CanLit,
but only if you want;
- We have slogans, and they're not even meant to be ironic: (1) SPIT-acular science! and (2) We put the "test" in "testosterone"!
- Dr. van Anders will ALWAYS appreciate your baking efforts;
- The lab is family-friendly;
- And much more!