Asking for a Research Position

[directdoc]

So I read some other threads about asking profs for a research position, but I have a few other questions.

How do you first find a professor who is willing to take on undergrad students for research?

Is email generally the way to ask a professor for a position if you haven't had them for a class? If so, do you attach your CV with the email or wait for them to respond first.

Also, how long in advance would you ask? Like if I wanted to get a summer research position...a few months?

Thanks!

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[SiR99]

Email different professors, but not all at once, maybe like three or four at a time and start off with the ones that are involved in research that you are interested in the most. As them for an interview.

Then they will either email you back and as you what your future goals are, and will set up a meeting, or they might not email you back at all.

The problem is that most labs will not take a student that is only going to be around for such a small amount of time, if they are going to train you they would like you to be there for about a year or more.

 

[Concordia]

Try contacting the department first to see which professors might be looking for students. Or look at different departments that interest you, check what professors are doing some research that interests you--then contact them and see if they might have a place for you. Be prepared, however, that you will most likely find volunteer positions if the funding is cramped where you are...but that's a step in the right direction for you.

Check your school's/specific department's web pages--some post available research/volunteer/paid positions.

As for contact, e-mail is probably the best: tell them who you are and what interested you in their research. I'd attach a resume just to make it more efficient.

Good luck

 

[NickNaylor]

My experience:

Me: Can I do some research?
Professor: What's your classification?
Me: I'm a freshman.
Professor: Ok.

I would recommend asking a professor after taking his/her class and doing well. As some previous posters suggested, though, just check out departmental sites and see who all is doing research and what they're doing work in. If someone's doing something that interests you, e-mail them.

In terms of timing, ask as soon as possible, just in case a couple of other students are interested in a position with that professor. The earlier the better.

Best of luck.

 

[directdoc]

How long did you guys work with the professor? More than one summer?

 

[NickNaylor]

I've been with my professor for a year, and intend to stay with him until I graduate. I think it would be a good idea to be in a lab at least for a year, if for no other reason other than getting a potentially positive LOR.

 

[tiedyeddog]

I spent a whole quarter trying to hook up research (I'm glad I started early, I had no idea it would be that hard.) I think some people get lucky and find a position relatively quickly. It's hard to find a PI who will sign you on when you don't have any other research experience. They are taking a gamble spending time training you or having a grad student train you so I think it is key that you express that you have the intent to research for an extend amount of time ( at least a whole summer, or two semesters.)

I had to send out over 100 e-mails before I got three responses. Never give up and when a PI or lab manager says they don't have time or room ask if they know of any other lab that does! I hope this helps. Hopefully you'll find a PI who will take you on after a quick search.

 

[UTnut]

Assuming you have not had any other formal lab training, I would try and find someone who you have taken for a class and who already knows a little bit about your capabilities. If they will need to be training you they may require some type of commitment on your part (a specific amount of hours per week or a certain number of months).

Whatever you decide to do though, get on it right away. The first few months of working in a lab will only cover how to perform the procedures, so if you want to actually do "research" you will need to begin ASAP.

Good Luck!

 

[UTnut]

One more thing.

If you ask a professor whether they will take you on in their lab and they don't have any positions, see if they know of anyone who may be looking. Some PIs are quite popular at my school and therefore get asked by a lot of undergrads to work in their lab. Many times the PI will pass them along to another lab that is smaller and not well known.

 

[directdoc]

I appreciate all the advice. Thanks!

 

[sully677]

I emailed a lot of the PIs in the departments in which I was interested. If they didn't have anything, I asked them if they knew of anyone who did. I did not attach a resume until I was asked for it. Have a good idea of what type of research you would like to do.

Good luck🙂

 

[Narmerguy]

I have to ask...what's a PI? See this on this forum a lot 😕

 

[jeffosokisk]

A PI is a Primary Investigator. They are the ones that are the head of the research laboratory.

 

[Amaranthinemoxi]

You should try the triple B method to getting highly elusive research positions:

1. Beg
2. Brown-nose
3. Bitch and moan

There are a number of even more elusive and prized summer programs too... do a google search

I'll include the following in honor of of the late Michael E. Debakey...
http://www.debakeydepartmentofsurgery.org/home/content.cfm?menu_id=17