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Graduate Students
Dr. Yao Zheng in the Department of Psychology at University of Alberta regularly recruits graduate students interested in pursuing Ph.D. in Developmental Science to join the Adolescent Development Lab. We aim to recruit at least one graduate student to start in each Fall (departmental application deadline December 1st).
Dr. Zheng’s research focuses on the influences of family and peer processes that shape different developmental trajectories of problem behaviors (e.g., antisocial behavior, substance use, depression) from late childhood through adolescence to young adulthood (approximately age 10 to 25), particularly with the application of advanced quantitative methodology (e.g., mixture modeling, multilevel modeling, time series analysis) at multiple levels of analysis (e.g., cognitive, affective, behavioral) and timescales (e.g., days, years) in different ecological contexts (e.g., family, school, community). One major research interest along this line of research examines gene-environment interplay in the development of problem behaviors using multiple twin samples.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor or Masters background in Developmental Psychology or related areas (e.g., education, human development) with research experience in data collection, coding, analyses, and/or writing up scientific papers
- Strong research interests in child and youth development, particularly problem behaviors, mental health and psychopathology, as well as quantitative modeling and computation
- Strong English communication and writing skills
- Prior experience in statistic analytic methods or coding and programming
Strong applicants could have the opportunity for departmental, university, provincial, or national (e.g., tri-council) fellowship or scholarship. The department however will guarantee financial support for both tuition and stipend through either Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant as supported by faculty research grant. There are potential opportunities to collaborate with other faculty in the Developmental Science area, other areas (e.g., Social and Cultural Psychology), or in other departments (e.g., psychiatry) with different research foci (e.g., internalizing problems) and/or research methods (e.g., neuroimaging, machine learning). Applicants who are interested in Dr. Zheng’s work methodologically (i.e., developmental continuity and change) yet overlap with other faculty’s substantive research areas (e.g., transition to young adulthood, well-being) could be considered for co-supervision.
To Apply
Interested applicants can formally apply through the departmental application portal (https://www.ualberta.ca/psychology/graduate-studies/index.html). GRE is NOT required, but TOEFL/IELTS is required for students whose previous degree is taught in languages other than English. The application deadline is December 1st. Applications will be evaluated by the departmental admission committee and Dr. Zheng separately, and will be compared with other applicants, for potential admission. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for virtual interviews in December/January.
Please contact Dr. Zheng (yao.zheng@ualberta.ca) for any questions on application. Prospective students of under-represented populations (e.g., sex, gender, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation) are particularly encouraged to apply.
Thank you for your interest.
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Please note that due to the capacity of the Adolescent Development Lab, Dr. Yao Zheng currently is NOT accepting any new undergraduate students for honors program or independent research.
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