2017 – Center for Social and Cultural Psychology (CSCP) at the University of Leuven Summer Internship

The Center for Social and Cultural Psychology (CSCP) at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven) is accepting applications from undergraduates interested in social psychological research in our summer internship program. We have two sessions available. The first session starts May 29^th 2017 and ends on July 7^th 2017; the second session starts July 31^st 2017 and ends on September 8^th 2017. A selection process will select the most promising candidates from the applicants for the sessions.

The University of Leuven is a strong research university in the heart of Europe, two hours from Paris, four hours from London. It is located in the center of the historic town of Leuven, home to the university since 1425. The center includes approx. 17 post docs and Ph.D. students. Full professors in the center are Vera Hoorens, Colette van Laar, Batja Mesquita, Agnes Moors, and Karen Phalet. The research themes in the center include socio-cultural processes of social identity, social inequality and intergroup relations, emotion, motivation and regulatory processes, and diversity in school and work organizations. The Center has an excellent international reputation and extensive international research collaborations with social and cultural psychology groups. The center provides excellent research facilities, including a state-of-the-art psycho-physiological lab. Center website: http://ppw.kuleuven.be/home/english/research/cscp. 

The CSCP summer internship is open to students who are interested in gaining familiarity with and executing social psychological research. Interns will spend approximately 30 hours per week working in close contact with CSCP researchers. Work includes conducting studies with CSCP researchers in the lab and field, literature review, and (basic) data analysis.

Interns will be provided with access to university facilities, but will be responsible for all other costs (e.g., transportation, travel, and meals). Note that for students in Europe there are also opportunities to come as part of Erasmus+ Traineeships (for internship of minimally 2 months (see http://ec.europa.eu/education/opportunities/higher-education/traineeship…). Students can also come via any other existing exchange program from their home university (please check with coordinator at your home university).

Applicants can send in materials any time before Friday March 17th, 2017.  For Erasmus students we can make a decision before Monday March 6^th if needed. All applicants must commit to attending an entire session of the program (starting May 29^th 2017 and departing on July 7^th 2017; or starting July 31^st 2017 and departing on September 8^th 2017). Applicants who cannot attend an entire session of the program will automatically be removed from consideration (please check your calendar and final exam schedule in advance before submitting an application).

Applications should include:

1. A one-page cover letter describing your research experience and interests. Please explain why you would like to attend the program, as well as whether you intend to pursue a PhD in a related field. This letter should also describe all previous research experience (including work in a lab or field, using existing data, and any work for your thesis). This letter should end with a declaration that you can attend at least one of the sessions of the program in its entirety, and for which session you are available (you can indicate both if available for both and can indicate a preference if you like).

2. A resume or curriculum vitae. Please include your university, major field of study, relevant courses in social psychology, intergroup relations, research methods and statistics (and grades if completed), relevant research experience, experience with data analysis, literature review, research programs (e.g. inquisit, medialab, authorware, limesurvey, qualtrics), statistical software (SPSS, EQS, Mplus, R etc), your average grade (GPA), expected graduation date, email address, languages you speak (of special interest are English, Dutch, Turkish, Japanese, French) and a working telephone number.

3. A reference letter from an academic colleague. Please provide ONE reference letter from your academic community (ex. a graduate student, post-doctoral researcher, or professor) who can describe your academic works and/or your personal qualities. Please send the reference letter directly to Karine Dens by email (karine.dens@kuleuven.be).

Applications should be submitted by March 17^th  to the Center for Social and Cultural Psychology research coordinator, Karine Dens, by email (karine.dens@kuleuven.be). Applicants will be notified in April. Candidates who need confirmation before this or by a certain date because of fellowships please indicate this clearly in your application materials and in the email to Karine Dens so that a decision can be made earlier.