The Addiction Research and Treatment Lab has training opportunities for students at multiple career stages.  At all stages, we look for trainees who have a specific interest in substance use and addiction, who are highly responsible, and who convey an empathic, non-judgmental attitude towards individuals with addictions. We particularly encourage students from underrepresented backgrounds to apply, and we list several diversity-promoting training opportunities below. If you are interested in training in the lab, please email Dr. Wardle directly, describe a little about yourself and your interests, and identify which training opportunity you are interested in.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduates can get involved through several routes.  There are no prerequisites, although if you register for a UIC course to represent your lab time (e.g. PSCH 399), those courses may have prerequisites. We prefer students who can commit at least 8 hours per week for at least 1 year, but will consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis. We also prefer students to participate via an established program or registering for a class rather than volunteering, but will consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis.

Summer Research Opportunity Program: Students from any institution (not just UIC) who are sophomores or juniors and from an under-represented background may apply for this intensive 30-40 hour per week summer research experience in the lab. SROP provides students with a stipend, travel, and housing for the summer. SROP students are also eligible for early admission to UIC graduate schools, so students interested in the UIC’s clinical psychology PhD program are particularly encouraged to apply. Please contact Dr. Wardle before applying to strengthen your application.

Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Award: The Chancellor’s Undergraduate Research Award allows UIC undergraduates who qualify for and have accepted Federal Work Study as part of their current year’s financial aid package to work as research assistants for hourly pay. Typically students must also be enrolled in a research credit course (e.g. PSCH 396 or 399, see below) to receive the award. Faculty identify students as prospective research assistants and complete the online application on the student’s behalf, so contact Dr. Wardle if you are interested.

Directed Research (396) or Independent Research (399): UIC undergraduates may participate in the lab by taking Directed Research or Independent Research for a number of credits equivalent to their time commitment in the lab. Several of the opportunities described above also require registration for one of these courses. Registration is competitive and requires consent of instructor, so you must contact Dr. Wardle and be accepted into the lab prior to registering.

Fieldwork in Applied Psychology (385): UIC undergraduates in the Applied Psychology program may complete their required practicum in the lab. Acceptance is competitive, so you must contact Dr. Wardle and be accepted into the lab prior to planning to use this experience to fulfill your requirements.

Honors College Capstone Projects: Acceptance to complete a capstone in the lab is competitive. Further, in our experience capstones are most successful if the student has a grounding in our area of research prior to attempting this major project. If you are interested in having Dr. Wardle serve as your capstone supervisor, we encourage you to contact Dr. Wardle and get involved in the lab in advance of your capstone year.

Post-baccalaureate Students

Graduating UIC Psychology students who are interested in gaining more research experience prior to applying to graduate school may enter the Psychology Department Post-Bacc program. Students in this program receive a stipend to serve as teaching assistants in the Psychology Department, and are also paired with a faculty mentor to conduct research.  Faculty identify and nominate students for this program, so if you are interested in applying, please contact Dr. Wardle.

Graduate Students

Graduate students in the lab receive a well-rounded experience through pursuing research goals (milestones, publications, grant applications, experience with advanced statistical approaches, etc) as well as valuable clinical work (diagnostic interviews, contingency management, motivational interviewing, etc). Dr. Wardle will not be reviewing applications for graduate students entering the research-oriented program.

Post-doctoral Fellows

We are not currently hiring for a specific post-doctoral position, but if you are an advanced graduate student interested in applying for an individual grant for post-doctoral training such as the F32, you can contact Dr. Wardle.