F A Q s : W O R K I N G I N D R . S A F R A N ' S L A B
1. What are the responsibilities of an RA in Dr. Safran’s lab?
2. What is a coding group?
3. What kinds of clinical experiences do RA’s gain?
4. Who works in Dr. Safran’s lab?
5. How many coding groups will I be in? Do I choose coding groups to be a member of or are they assigned to me?
6. How long will it take for me to be trained in all of my lab responsibilities?
7. What happens at the Friday 3pm research meeting? Should I attend?
8. Are there certain days that I need to be at the lab?
9. How do I become more involved in Dr. Safran’s lab?
10. Can I complete my responsibilities from home?
11. What is the dress code at the lab?
12. Where are you located?
13. Is there an application process to get involved at the lab?
14. Is it necessary to have previous experience in psychology in order to be a research assistant in Dr. Safran’s lab?
15. Who should I contact if I am interested in being a research assistant?
1. What are the responsibilities of an RA in Dr. Safran’s lab?
RA responsibilities include attending Friday meetings for 2 coding groups, fulfilling responsibilities related to these coding groups, some administrative tasks including up to 3 transcriptions per semester, and clinical responsibilities such as conducting SCID’s, AAI’s, and patient and therapist interviews. It is expected that RA’s commit 8-10 hours per week to the lab, and we ask for a two year commitment as it takes time to be trained in lab procedures and to become reliable in coding groups.
2. What is a coding group?
A coding group consists of a small group of individuals who work with clinical material (generally video data or transcriptions of psychotherapy sessions and clinical interviews), and observe and discuss the clinical material in an effort to make sense of it through the lens of a particular coding system. Coding group members are taught a coding system and work toward achieving inter-rater reliability over time. Data collected through coding groups is used mainly for dissertation research being conducted by senior students.
3. What kinds of clinical experiences do RA’s gain?
Research assistants have the opportunity to conduct structured clinical interviews for the DSM-IV (SCIDS) and Adult Attachment Interviews (AAI’s). As coding group members, RA’s watch recorded therapy sessions, Also, RA’s conduct interviews with patients and therapists about their experiences over the course of treatment.
4. Who works in Dr. Safran’s lab?
Research assistants in Dr. Safran’s lab include graduate students from the New School, Adelphi, Yeshiva, and Long Island University, as well as other universities in NYC. Also, some lab members are working toward their PhD’s at other universities, or have already gotten their PhD’s elsewhere, and some lab members are interested in pursuing graduate studies in psychology in the future.
5. How many coding groups will I be in? Do I choose coding groups to be a member of or are they assigned to me?
You will be assigned to two coding groups. If you wish to join a third coding group, it may be possible to choose a group to join.
6. How long will it take for me to be trained in all of my lab responsibilities?
Being trained in your different lab responsibilities takes approximately 2-3 months. RA’s are trained in a number of different lab responsibilities, so it is important to realize that becoming acquainted with work in Dr. Safran’s lab will happen gradually.
7. What happens at the Friday 3pm research meeting? Should I attend?
At Friday 3pm research meetings, we discuss ongoing research and potential research projects as well as discussing psychotherapy research conducted elsewhere. These meetings are an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with the work we do as well as with research going on in the field. While attendance is not required, it is recommended that lab members attend.
8. Are there certain days that I need to be at the lab?
RA’s should be available on Fridays in order to attend their weekly coding group meetings. Otherwise, RA’s can come to the lab any day(s) that work in their schedule.
9. How do I become more involved in Dr. Safran’s lab?
In order to become more involved in Dr. Safran’s lab, it is important to put in your 8-10 hours per week. By being present at the lab, it becomes possible to get more involved in the work that we do. Also, it is a good idea to let your coding group leaders or any senior lab members know of your interest.
10. Can I complete my responsibilities from home?
Because of our strict confidentiality policies, all work must be completed at Dr. Safran’s lab. Most responsibilities should be completed in the lab space at Beth Israel Hospital, but some can also be completed at the New School.
11. What is the dress code at the lab?
When RA’s are at Fierman Hall, which is a building within Beth Israel Hospital, it is mandatory to dress in accordance with the hospital dress code (also see Brief manual). The following items of clothing are generally considered inappropriate:
-Jeans or any jean-type slacks
-legwarmers
-low back or backless dresses and tops
-tank tops and t-shirts
-shorts
-hats or head scarves that are not part of a uniform or worn for religious reasons
-slippers, house shoes, or clogs
-scrub suits outside of the OR and related areas
-Employees are required to wear socks or stockings at all times. Shirts and blouses must be appropriately fastened and clothes must fit properly.
-Employees who come in contact with patients or work in patient care areas are not permitted to wear buttons or badges, or other insignia other than those specified as part of the regular uniform. Similarly, identification badges issued by the hospital must not be defaced with buttons or badges, or other insignia not issued by the hospital. Identification badges must also be worn in a visible place at all times.
12. Where are you located?
We are located at the New School for Social Research and at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City.
Our address at Beth Israel hospital:
Fierman Hall, 9F-13
317 East 17th Street
New York, New York 10003
Our address at the New School for Social Research:
80 5th Avenue
Room 620
New York, New York, 10003
13. Is there an application process to get involved at the lab?
The application process to get involved at the lab begins with an interview with a senior research assistant. See contact information below.
14. Is it necessary to have previous experience in psychology in order to be a research assistant in Dr. Safran’s lab?
It is not necessary to have previous experience in psychology in order to be a research assistant in Dr. Safran’s lab. While some lab members have backgrounds in psychology, others come from a range of academic and professional backgrounds.
15. Who should I contact if I am interested in being a research assistant?
If you are interested in being a research assistant, contact Kelly Bolger or Alexandra Shaker.
