Cold-emailing researchers

[tca]

Yo allopaths,

I need to get some research done but I don't have the connections to get them. How do you ask to contribute to a project? Is cold-emailing ok?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Mr hawkings]

Yo allopaths,

I needa get some research done quick. It's all bout the pubs baby. But I don't have the connections to get them. How do you ask to contribute to a project? Is cold-emailing ok?

Be ready to get very few responses to those emails.

 

[tca]

Be ready to get very few responses to those emails.

Is there a better way?

 

[njbmd]

Yo allopaths,

I needa get some research done quick. It's all bout the pubs baby. But I don't have the connections to get them. How do you ask to contribute to a project? Is cold-emailing ok?

Contact your school to make some connections. I don't respond to cold-emails under any circumstances. Most of the pre-med/medical student researchers in my lab come from recommendations from colleagues/professors at my university. My guesss is that my fellow researchers are on the same page.

 

[bravofleet4]

you can try looking up the research your professors are currently doing and think about approaching them. cold-e-mailing professors doesn't seem that bad though. However, my school made it really easy for us by creating a directory along with a description of the research, contact info, and necessary qualifications or pre-requisites for joining the lab.

 

[Mr hawkings]

Is there a better way?

You are doing what most people do and you'll be luck to get a response to 1 out of every 10 emails. For the most part, these people use either students who they've worked with before and trust or they use people who were referred to them by other people the know. this is especially true if you are going to make a significant enough contribution to get your name on a publication.
I wouldnt get my hopes up about publishing just yet. If you get into a lab where they dont know you, it takes time to earn enough trust for the PI to assign you tasks and projects that would get your name on the paper.

People generally dont get published by just running gels and assays that they are told to run and this is where you are likely to start if they dont know your abilities already.
I started out that way, then i started making suggestions as to how to set up the experiments more efficiently since i was the one actually running them. After that, they started including me on the meetings with collaborators and asking me my opinions on experimental design. Before i knew it, i had my own portion of the research that i was responsible for and had to present data at our meeting every week as well as doing my regular daily tasks for my PI.
I have to let you know that most of this was done for free. You could get a paid position, but be prepared to do it for nothing if it comes down to it.

There is a user on here called rxman (or something like that). He/she usually has good info on research. Find them

 

[Chemdude]

Someone I know sent a generic [group] e-mail to all of the chemistry professors(16) at my school asking for a research position. He got 3 replies; 2 showing interest and 1 criticizing him for being "unprofessional" and careless.

I have worked in three different labs since freshman year. I sent e-mails to the professors mentioning my interest in their field of study, and asking for an appointment (I did not explicitly show my interest in joining their group). I asked for a research position during the appointment.

 

[austinap]

Yo allopaths,

I need to get some research done but I don't have the connections to get them. How do you ask to contribute to a project? Is cold-emailing ok?

I'm assuming you're at a university that has labs with grad students / post docs. If you don't have a direct "in" to any research positions, the best thing to do would be to follow these steps, in order:

1. Read up on what professors at your school are working on, figure out what you're interested in, etc. You don't need to know their work inside and out, but you should have an idea.
2. After you've narrowed your choices down to 2-4 labs, show up at the labs and find a grad student or post-doc, state your interests, and ask nicely if they'd be able to talk to you about potentially working in the lab and what the PI's policies are. If the first person you talk to isn't helpful, look for someone else. They may just be in the middle of an experiment and don't have time to chat.
3. After getting some info from step 2, send an email to the PI, mention who you've talked to and what you're interested in, and ask if they'd consider meeting with you to discuss possible research opportunities.

If you follow those steps, don't piss off people (i.e., be polite, respectful, and understanding if someone doesn't have time to talk to you the immediate moment you show up), and there's room, you'll almost certainly get a position in one of your top choice labs so long as your grades aren't terrible.

Cold emailing professors doesn't work.

 

[osumc2014]

Yo allopaths,

I need to get some research done but I don't have the connections to get them. How do you ask to contribute to a project? Is cold-emailing ok?

I've worked 4 years doing research, and each year I got the job by cold-emailing, so it does work to some extent, but my school does have tons of research opportunities

 

[twocentnews]

Cold emailing definitely worked for me, and very fast too. I decided to want to do some research in Boston because I wanted to be in a new place after graduating college so I looked up some hospitals in Boston, emailed some doctors with ongoing projects and within 2 weeks received an interview. About 3 weeks after the interview, I was contacted by HR for information because I was being hired. So definitely try cold emailing, along with other strategies that people provided above.

And don't let yourself shy away from opportunities that seem out of your reach. I was not the most brilliant biology student and I landed a research gig at Brigham and Women's Hospital, so anything is possible!

 

[austinap]

Cold emailing definitely worked for me, and very fast too. I decided to want to do some research in Boston because I wanted to be in a new place after graduating college so I looked up some hospitals in Boston, emailed some doctors with ongoing projects and within 2 weeks received an interview. About 3 weeks after the interview, I was contacted by HR for information because I was being hired. So definitely try cold emailing, along with other strategies that people provided above.

And don't let yourself shy away from opportunities that seem out of your reach. I was not the most brilliant biology student and I landed a research gig at Brigham and Women's Hospital, so anything is possible!

The thing with cold emailing, while it works in some cases, is that it increases the chances that you'll get a position where you're expected to do more grunt work than might otherwise be the case. Often, people that reply to cold emails are thinking "ooh! Free labor" rather than "Hey, this guy seems to really be interested in my research and could potentially be a productive member of my lab for a few years." In places with lots of research opportunities wand little competition for them, cold emailing would probably work fairly well. At high end places with competition for positions, it isn't going to do you any favors and you'll likely miss out on some of the better positions.

 

[Xcellerator]

Thanks for all the tips, guys! I'm definitely going to try to cold email some researchers since the university that I'll be going to has tons of research opportunities. 😀

 

[tca]

The thing with cold emailing, while it works in some cases, is that it increases the chances that you'll get a position where you're expected to do more grunt work than might otherwise be the case. Often, people that reply to cold emails are thinking "ooh! Free labor" rather than "Hey, this guy seems to really be interested in my research and could potentially be a productive member of my lab for a few years." In places with lots of research opportunities wand little competition for them, cold emailing would probably work fairly well. At high end places with competition for positions, it isn't going to do you any favors and you'll likely miss out on some of the better positions.

Good points. In the e-mails and potential interviews I'll try to make it clear that I'm more useful doing actual research then dishwashing.

 

[jc235693]

I would definitely recommend cold-emailing. I go to a small liberal arts school with not a lot of research opportunity, I will be working this summer in research lab a prestigious university, and I got the position by e-mailing the professor. I'd advise you to keep 3 things in mind when you do e-mail people you would like to work with

1) Be professional (Duh!)
2) Be brief, no one wants to read your whole life story especially if they've never met you, attaching a copy of your CV or resume should suffice.
3) Show that you have interest in the particular research that is being performed in the lab.

Good Luck!

 

[Swagster]

Sometimes a TA in one of your classes can help you get connected. It would seem that a more personal means of contact would get you a better research project.

 

[aquamonkey]

Sometimes a TA in one of your classes can help you get connected. It would seem that a more personal means of contact would get you a better research project.

Yes. I got 2 research offers this way 🙂

 

[runawayclock]

Someone I know sent a generic [group] e-mail to all of the chemistry professors(16) at my school asking for a research position. He got 3 replies; 2 showing interest and 1 criticizing him for being "unprofessional" and careless.

BAAAD FORM. DO NOT USE GENERIC EMAILS. (OR at least i think it's kind of impolite to do so).

I got my research position by cold-emailing profs. I picked out a few whose research interests genuinely interested me, read up on their papers (don't worry if nothing makes sense to you, just at least indicate that you have SOME idea of their research) and then expressed that I wanted to get some research experience. It helps if you took one of their classes and did well!

Example:

Hi Dr. SAMESWEATEREVERYDAY,
I took your class UNINTERESTING CRAP101 last semester, and I found your research on WHATEVER TOPIC really interesting. I'm looking to gain more research experience and I was wondering if you had space in your lab for the summer/fall/etc? (DO NOT SPECIFY VOLUNTEER AT FIRST - you might luck into a paid position and if you say you want to volunteer you will have screwed yourself out of a job). I'm currently a JR/SR/SOPHOMORE/REALLY KEEN FRESHMAN in WHATEVER PROGRAM. I've attached my CV/TRANSCRIPT as pdfs.

Sincerely,
Another premed.

 

[ImNotBritish]

It definitely worked for me. I agree with the above, though, don't send generic mass emails. I did a little research into their work and background, then sent emails detailing relative classes I took, work experience, etc. I probably sent 15 emails, and got about 50% "thanks, but no thanks" responses. Luckily, one professor that I emailed didn't respond but just forwarded it to his grad students, and one of them contacted me.

Also, I wouldn't necessarily be too against doing gruntwork for a little bit if that's what gets your foot in the door. It's likely that even if there isn't an amazing opportunity for actual research right now, they'd probably look within the lab once one pops up, and they'll know your work ethic and all that by then.

 

[Hope0913]

BAAAD FORM. DO NOT USE GENERIC EMAILS. (OR at least i think it's kind of impolite to do so).

I got my research position by cold-emailing profs. I picked out a few whose research interests genuinely interested me, read up on their papers (don't worry if nothing makes sense to you, just at least indicate that you have SOME idea of their research) and then expressed that I wanted to get some research experience. It helps if you took one of their classes and did well!

Example:

Hi Dr. SAMESWEATEREVERYDAY,
I took your class UNINTERESTING CRAP101 last semester, and I found your research on WHATEVER TOPIC really interesting. I'm looking to gain more research experience and I was wondering if you had space in your lab for the summer/fall/etc? (DO NOT SPECIFY VOLUNTEER AT FIRST - you might luck into a paid position and if you say you want to volunteer you will have screwed yourself out of a job). I'm currently a JR/SR/SOPHOMORE/REALLY KEEN FRESHMAN in WHATEVER PROGRAM. I've attached my CV/TRANSCRIPT as pdfs.

Sincerely,
Another premed.

👍 Thanks! I'm going to do that

 

[bigballer27]

ive done it.

it works

depends how to make the email tho, you shouldn't put all the emails in one email. you should separate them individually and add names at the top, and maybe the research topic somewhere in the middle

its all about numbers, the more you email, the more responses you get

 

[klmnop]

Contact your school to make some connections. I don't respond to cold-emails under any circumstances. Most of the pre-med/medical student researchers in my lab come from recommendations from colleagues/professors at my university. My guesss is that my fellow researchers are on the same page.

Terrible policy.

Anyway, to the OP if you are new to research and don't have an opportunity to meet people in the field, cold-emails may be your only access and it cannot hurt you. If people don't respond or don't find it professional, you will not be working for them anyway so no harm done. Go over what their research topics are, see if you have taken any courses and can relate or show an actual interest in something in particular. Mention it earnestly and be respectful. For the most part, researchers are constantly looking for assistants because students are constantly entering and leaving labs, chances are that with enough contacts, you will find a handful that are willing to meet and pay you for something (provided your CV is adequate). I have done this a few times and both times my PI actually created a job for me that they were not actively seeking, because they saw I was eager and though I would be able to contribute to their work.
Good Luck, if its a big research school you'll find something.

 

[Baron Samedi]

Whatever you do, do NOT mention you are pre-med.

 

[klmnop]

Whatever you do, do NOT mention you are pre-med.

disagree with this too. its better to be honest.
researchers know that most students going through their doors are premeds, but that will not stop them from trying to push research on you. many kids who aren't accepted to med school do an MSc or PhD. Still others do MD/PhD's. Research-bound undergrads are not necessarily attractive to PI's either, because most undergrads don't stay long with the first lab the begin working with, let alone complete their graduate degrees there, most.

Be honest. Tell them you are interested in clinical medicine but would like to learn about the research aspect of medicine. They will definitely ask you at an interview what your goals are and if you do end up working for them for some time, lying about your intentions will only bite you in the ass.

 

[klmnop]

BAAAD FORM. DO NOT USE GENERIC EMAILS. (OR at least i think it's kind of impolite to do so).

I got my research position by cold-emailing profs. I picked out a few whose research interests genuinely interested me, read up on their papers (don't worry if nothing makes sense to you, just at least indicate that you have SOME idea of their research) and then expressed that I wanted to get some research experience. It helps if you took one of their classes and did well!

Example:

Hi Dr. SAMESWEATEREVERYDAY,
I took your class UNINTERESTING CRAP101 last semester, and I found your research on WHATEVER TOPIC really interesting. I'm looking to gain more research experience and I was wondering if you had space in your lab for the summer/fall/etc? (DO NOT SPECIFY VOLUNTEER AT FIRST - you might luck into a paid position and if you say you want to volunteer you will have screwed yourself out of a job). I'm currently a JR/SR/SOPHOMORE/REALLY KEEN FRESHMAN in WHATEVER PROGRAM. I've attached my CV/TRANSCRIPT as pdfs.

Sincerely,
Another premed.

good advice

 

[fish89]

Yo allopaths,

I need to get some research done but I don't have the connections to get them. How do you ask to contribute to a project? Is cold-emailing ok?

Absolutely! This is how almost everyone I know got started. I emailed 30 professors to begin research and I got to pick and choose from the labs that emailed back. Only a minority emailed me back (it's hit and miss, some professors have space, some don't, some like undergrads, some don't, etc..) but I definitely feel that I had an advantage by having a selection to choose from. My friend emailed 50 professors... I think that's overkill, but hey, she got what she wanted.

I had a few interviews, and in the first one the professor scared me by grilling me with hard questions. I got to choose the 'nice' and 'supprotive' professor with a good project... rather than the one that would have worked me like a slave and offer me nothing in return. The way to do this is write a cover letter and include a CV as an attachment. Good luck 👍

 

[drizzt3117]

The op is a med student. I'm not sure why this got moved from allo, but the replies, while useful for others, seem very unuseful for the op.

 

[cfx]

Cold emailing is fine. I've worked in two separate labs, and that's how I got into both of them. If your school has some kind of list of research labs with a synopsis of what projects they have going on, you can easily skim those and make a list of labs you're interested in (note that I've found that these descriptions are usually very out of date, so their current research may be totally different). Yes, you should not anticipate all of them replying. Last time I did this, though, I emailed about 8-10 people, and I think I got 3 interviews, maybe 3 responses saying they didn't need anyone, and the rest were ignored...not too bad.

The op is a med student. I'm not sure why this got moved from allo, but the replies, while useful for others, seem very unuseful for the op.

FWIW, one MD I cold-emailed about research responded, was happy to meet with me, interview, consider for a research spot, etc., and it turned out that he thought I was a med student the whole time (no idea why...). It didn't end up working out, but it might be an indication that it's acceptable for med students to do the same?

 

[drizzt3117]

FWIW, one MD I cold-emailed about research responded, was happy to meet with me, interview, consider for a research spot, etc., and it turned out that he thought I was a med student the whole time (no idea why...). It didn't end up working out, but it might be an indication that it's acceptable for med students to do the same?

Med schools have good resources to help their students get research. Cold-emailing people is a waste of time. You're around attendings/residents/fellows on a daily basis all of whom have research they'd love a med student to help them with (i.e. case reports/clinical research) as well.

 

[MedMan25]

I've landed research positions by cold emailing. Just make sure you take the time to read about their interests before contacting them. I don't think you'll offend anyone if you make the email sound personal instead of a scripted paragraph that you've sent out to 30 other people. A PI that would get offended just because you contacted them by email is a PI I wouldn't want to work with anyway.

 

[cfx]

Med schools have good resources to help their students get research. Cold-emailing people is a waste of time. You're around attendings/residents/fellows on a daily basis all of whom have research they'd love a med student to help them with (i.e. case reports/clinical research) as well.

Ah, ok, good to know.

 

[Narmerguy]

I'm assuming you're at a university that has labs with grad students / post docs. If you don't have a direct "in" to any research positions, the best thing to do would be to follow these steps, in order:

1. Read up on what professors at your school are working on, figure out what you're interested in, etc. You don't need to know their work inside and out, but you should have an idea.
2. After you've narrowed your choices down to 2-4 labs, show up at the labs and find a grad student or post-doc, state your interests, and ask nicely if they'd be able to talk to you about potentially working in the lab and what the PI's policies are. If the first person you talk to isn't helpful, look for someone else. They may just be in the middle of an experiment and don't have time to chat.
3. After getting some info from step 2, send an email to the PI, mention who you've talked to and what you're interested in, and ask if they'd consider meeting with you to discuss possible research opportunities.

If you follow those steps, don't piss off people (i.e., be polite, respectful, and understanding if someone doesn't have time to talk to you the immediate moment you show up), and there's room, you'll almost certainly get a position in one of your top choice labs so long as your grades aren't terrible.

Cold emailing professors doesn't work.

This is good advice. However, I will dispute and say that cold emailing professors can work. It's just that other methods can work better.

The op is a med student. I'm not sure why this got moved from allo, but the replies, while useful for others, seem very unuseful for the op.

Because this is where all the chump threads go.

 

[qw098]

Can you cold email for stipends though?

 

[itsthat1guy]

Can you cold email for stipends though?

If you try and e-mail random professors asking for both a position in their lab AND a stipend, you're extremely unlikely to have any luck. Why would they pay someone that they've never worked with before? If you want a paid research position, try to find a formal research program, like the CRTA/IRTA program, etc

 

[litotes]

it totally works and you can even get paid positions. but you need to already have research experience

 

[Jamiu22]

I did this when I was an M1, I cold emailed every Neurosurgery professor at UCSF for a summer research position; one of them said yes, and I worked there through the summer. He has thus far been one of my biggest advocates on the interview trail now that I'm applying for residency, so it works, but it would be difficult I would imagine that it would be near impossible to find a paid position by cold emailing.

 

[soccerusa]

Not a medical student yet, but I had a very successful research experience as an undergrad that led to multiple 1st author papers. I literally cold emailed every professor in the department. I got about a 30% response rate and then found an excellent lab. In my experience most professors are at least willing to talk to you about their research and advise you about getting involved in the department even if they don't want you themselves. Just got for it!