The Harvard Laboratory for Developmental Studies typically has TWO distinct research opportunities for the Summer: one held by the Spelke lab and one held by the Thomas, Snedeker, and Bergelson labs together.
Read more about each internship below.
Bergelson/Snedeker/Thomas Labs Summer Internship 2026
Update 1/16/26: Thank you for your interest in our Summer Internship for 2026. For Summer 2026 the Bergelson/Snedeker/Thomas Labs will not be hosting a joint summer internship program. If you are a Harvard College student, you may apply to work in one of our labs as a BLISS fellow or through HCRP funding. If you are interested in HCRP funding, please note you will need to be in contact with your anticipated mentor prior to applying. If you are a non-Harvard College student please consider reviewing the APA fellowship program and the ICIS research program requirements. We hope to resume the joint Summer Internship program in 2027!
Spelke Lab Summer Internship 2026
The Spelke Lab is seeking motivated students to assist with research in a developmental psychology laboratory for the summer in Cambridge, Massachusetts! Learn state of the art research methods that provide a window into the minds of infants, toddlers, and children. This is an excellent opportunity for someone interested in an intensive, immersive experience in the field of developmental psychology, but also in psychological research more generally.
Intern duties center around working on a project with a primary researcher, and include:
- recruiting and scheduling child participants and their families
- testing children in the lab or on Zoom
- data coding and analysis
- aiding in the design of new studies
In addition, interns will be invited to professional development workshops, lab meetings, and socials throughout the summer. Interns will present a scholarly poster to the Harvard community at the end of the summer showcasing the project they worked on.
Qualifications
An interest in and ability to work with young children is essential, and previous experience is a plus. Students must have a minimum of 20 hours a week to commit to the lab with a maximum of 35 hours a week for at least 8 weeks.
Funding Resources
- For Harvard students: Undergraduate Research and Fellowship (URAF), Build Learning through Inquiry in the Social Sciences (BLISS)
- For non-Harvard students: Be sure to check with your home institution for funding opportunities
Interested?
To apply for a position in our summer internship, please email a copy of your CV and a cover letter to Georgios Dougalis (Spelke Lab Manager) at georgios_dougalis@g.harvard.edu with the subject line “Spelke Lab Summer Internship Application 2026”. The application deadline is Monday March 9th, 2026 at noon ET. Questions? Please explore our FAQ section at the bottom of this page. If your question is more specific, feel free to reach out to Georgios Dougalis at georgios_dougalis@g.harvard.edu.