Join the Team
Research Assistants
We are currently accepting applications for undergraduate research assistant (RA) positions. We are looking for RAs who are excited to dig into research and learn more about what anxiety is, how it affects people, and how to use (and improve) interventions to effectively treat problematic anxiety. Within the lab environment and through our research, we appreciate the diversity of human behavior and experience. In particular, it is important to us to foster a sense of community by working together toward shared goals and bringing together diverse perspectives to strengthen the skills and abilities of both the group and the individual.
As a part of the HART lab, RAs have the opportunity to engage in a number of research activities, including participant recruitment, participating in experimental protocols, running participants, administering clinical interviews, data management, lab meetings, literature searches, study preparation, and involvement in the dissemination of research via posters at local and national conferences. RAs are expected to commit at least 5 hours per week working in the lab during the semester, preferably for more than one semester. Undergraduate students enrolled at the UM can enroll in course credit (PSY 405, 406, 420, 421, or 422). Students taking course credit will be expected to work 9 hour per week in the lab. In addition to lab work, attendance at weekly lab meetings is required. Lab meetings focus on undergraduate professional development (e.g., preparing for graduate school, CV development), developing research ideas and posters, reviewing journal articles, and discussion of upcoming and current lab projects. Meetings are held on Fridays at noon.
Through their work in the lab, past students have received awards, such as the UM-Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Award, UM Psychology Research Day Poster Awards, and MPA Research Poster Awards. The HART Lab provides students with a range of experiences, skills, and knowledge that supports a range of postgraduate and career paths. RA alumni have continued on to: social work, mental health counseling, dental school, law school, nursing school, clinical psychology PhD programs, and experimental psychology PhD programs. Please see the Alumni page to see where our RAs have ended up – we’re so proud of everyone!
If you are interested in joining the HART lab, please complete the HART Lab RA Form and return it to the HART Lab as a .pdf file at hartlab@olemiss.edu. This information is helpful for understanding your goals as a HART RA and guiding topics of discussion in our first meeting. Please reach out to us if you have questions!
Graduate Students
Dr. Dixon will be reviewing graduate student applications for the 2025-2026 academic year. We are eager to further advance our program of research and value applicants with diverse perspectives and experiences.
Additional information about the application process: I receive many emails. I do my best to respond to unique questions about my research or lab; however, I may not get around to providing answers that can be found elsewhere. In effort to be fair to all applicants, I have a policy that I do not meet with prospective applicants prior to the application deadline, and I don’t prioritize applicants who have been in contact with me. In terms of the review process, the UM Clinical Faculty take a holistic perspective in considering applications. We evaluate the materials across many dimensions and consider a number of factors that suggest someone will thrive in our program. In my review of applicants, it is important to have at least two years of prior research experience in a lab that is similar to or complements the foci and/or methodology of the HART lab. In addition, competitive applicants will have completed an independent research project (e.g., honors thesis, summer research program, first-author poster at a national conference, etc.) and demonstrate interest and motivation to conduct research with us. Taking time after your bachelor’s degree to gain additional knowledge and experience relevant to clinical psychology and/or psychological research is viewed very positively (and is typical of students that have joined the lab), but not required.
For more information, please see Clinical Psychology Graduate Program, Department’s Mission & Vision, and Diversity Statement. In addition, check out Oxford as many people are pleasantly surprised by this charming town (and its food!).