Research Assistant - PysD - S. Mcintyre [Work Study]

Applicants must be enrolled students at Antioch University living in the United States. This is a work-study position with a remote work arrangement (mostly remote) assessed via email, meetings, and deliverables.

About the role

The Research Assistant will provide comprehensive academic and methodological support for an ongoing clinical research project examining advanced frameworks of relational trauma. The project investigates the cognitive, behavioral, and affect-regulation mechanics of Acute Attachment Activation (AAA) and Post-Traumatic Attachment Activation (PTAA) following severe, non-death-related relationship ruptures.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Principal Investigator (PI) in expanding a provisional theoretical model into a comprehensive empirical framework.
• Literature Synthesis & Database Management: Conduct systematic literature reviews across psychodynamic theory, adult attachment frameworks (focusing on Mikulincer, Shaver, Blatt, and Benjamin), and the DSM-5-TR definitions of trauma and stressor-related disorders. Maintain a clean, annotated reference library.
• Methodological Support: Assist in drafting Institutional Review Board (IRB) proposals for future qualitative studies utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) or Grounded Theory methodologies.
• Data Preparation & Coding: Organize and prepare de-identified clinical text, case studies, or qualitative interview transcripts for thematic coding. Potentially utilize qualitative data analysis software to track patterns of hyper-activating and deactivating strategies.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a graduate program in Clinical Psychology (PsyD/PhD), Counseling, or a closely related behavioral science field. Advanced undergraduate students with exceptional academic records may be considered.
• Strong foundational knowledge of contemporary attachment theory, object relations, and trauma-informed clinical frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience conducting systematic literature searches using databases such as PsycINFO, PubMed, and Google Scholar.
• Meticulous attention to detail, strong written communication skills, and an ironclad commitment to professional ethics, confidentiality, and institutional compliance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with qualitative research methodologies, particularly Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).
• Experience with referencing software (Zotero) and qualitative analysis platforms.

Schedule

• Start Date: 8/31/2026
• End Date: 06/30/2027
• Hours per Week: 5-10 hours
• Weekends Required: No
• Evenings Required: No

Supervisors: Shannon McIntyre (Primary), Becca Stackpole (Alternate).