Join the Lab

Research in the Developmental Psychobiology Lab is multidisciplinary and collaborative. Trainees in the lab benefit from the expertise of Dr. Giesbrecht and our collaborators who are directly involved in training and supervising students.

The Developmental Psychobiology Lab is currently accepting students from Psychology, Community Health Sciences, and the Medical Sciences Graduate Program.

Dr. Giesbrecht is committed to training highly qualified personnel in a positive and supportive research environment. Students work as a part of a research team that inspires trainees to produce high quality research using state-of-the art methods. Graduates will be well prepared for a future career in research. Incoming graduate students are selected according to their undergraduate/graduate grades, interpersonal and communication skills, potential for scholarly work, work ethic, and fit within the Developmental Psychobiology Laboratory.

Guidelines for Graduate Students:

  1. Start Date

    Newly accepted graduate students should plan to be at the University of Calgary at least 1 week prior to the start of classes. This time is required to allow for familiarization with our facilities, our laboratory scheduling and for the completion of all necessary administrative tasks before commencing classes.

  2. Committment

    Graduate studies are a full-time endeavour. Graduate students are in the lab at least 20 hours per week while taking classes and full time during other periods, including summer. Work-life balance is encouraged, as are vacations. Extra effort is often required leading up to deadlines, which may require some evening and weekend work.

  3. Summer Research

    Summer is a great time to be in Calgary, with many opportunities for spectacular outdoor recreation. The summer months are also the most productive periods for research activities in our laboratory. Graduate students should plan to make significant progress on their research during the summer months.

  4. Professional Development

    Graduate students are encouraged to participate in professional development events such as attending and/or presenting their research findings at local, national and/or international conferences.

  5. Productivity

    Although productivity can be measured in many ways, one of the primary indicators of productivity is publishing in peer-reviewed journals. New Master's students will contribute to a publication led by another lab member in the first year and then lead their own publication in the second year. Doctoral students lead multiple projects and mentor more junour students.

  6. Collaboration

    Today's research landscape is interdisciplinary and requires extensive collaboration. Trainees in the lab learn how to conduct collaborative work with other members in and with other labs outside of the University of Calgary.

If you are a psychology, neuroscience or health sciences major interested in doing an honours thesis and conducting research in the Developmental Psychobiology Laboratory, please contact the lab in the Winter semester prior to your application.

Students in the Department of Psychology can obtain course credit for an independent study course (PSYC 504 or 505) under the supervision of Dr. Giesbrecht. Projects may also be done through other departments - please consult your department head to see if you are eligible. A minimum GPA of 3.4 is required for at least one semester prior to applying to the Developmental Psychobiology Lab for independent study.

For students attending the University of Calgary, course credit for PSYC 499 can be obtained through working in the Developmental Psychobiology Laboratory. A minimum GPA of 3.4 is required for at least one semester prior to applying to the Developmental Psychobiology Lab for PSYC 499.

The Developmental Psychobiology Lab regularly accepts volunteers who want to learn about and contribute to research. A commitment of at least 5 hours per week for one semester is required. A minimum GPA of 3.4 is required for at least one semester prior to volunteering.

Please complete the form below if you are interested in joining our lab.

Application Form

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