Gap year work advice?

[DielsAlder]

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I am currently a senior planning to take one gap year after I graduate. I have been looking into full time research work which I would supplement with hospital volunteering and physician shadowing on the side. I noticed for a lot of these research positions (bench and clinical), that many of them require a two year commitment. Many of them seemed to emphasize this time commitment over previous experience, although I have plenty of experience over my undergrad in both clinical and bench research. Since I plan to matriculate into medical school the following year, I cannot apply for these positions.

Do most people who take one gap year typically volunteer when they do research, or find an understanding PI who could bring them on as paid researchers for that year?

 

[kyamh]

Or take more than a single gap year 🙂

If you are set on only taking one, you need to seriously consider the type of research you want to be involved with. If you have to learn techniques and perfect them first then a year is not enough time to finish a project properly. Also consider interviewing and all the application/essay work involved. My research really suffered this year from the constant disruptions of having to either write another essay or traveling. There is a pretty good reason why many PIs require at least two years. Take that as a hint that their type of research will not get you to any sort of project completion within the year, never mind publication. The last thing those labs want is to train someone just to have them bail on the project half way through, just when they have become a useful member of the lab.

That said, you can find some branches of research like clinical trials and retroactive chart analysis that is totally doable for just a year.

 

[csx]

What do you do if there are no research/universities around your area/hospital is not hiring? Around me, there are normal jobs (not related to medicine) and volunteer opportunities but the nearest med related jobs require a contract (as OP stated) or they are an hr away and I do not have the means to get there. Would this not look good for an applicant such as myself?? I feel my hands are kind of tied.

 

[jeghaber]

One year research positions are hard to find, but they're definitely out there. That being said, as @kyamh mentioned, since one year isn't that much time to train someone, etc, they might expect you to come in with more or less a working knowledge/skill set. One year positions, if you find one, also most likely indicate an immediate need for a fast-paced project (which may or may not be available depending on the field; I'm in cognitive neuroscience research, where project lengths vary greatly) and can counterintuitively mean lots of productive work, which was the case for me.

From the position I started last summer, my post-doc and I started and finished data collection for our project in three months, have submitted two abstracts, and are set to submit at least two publications in the next few months. I will say, though, the schedule has been crazy, especially with applications and interviews. I'm lucky in that most of my job can be done as long as I have a computer and an internet connection, which meant I could work off-site even when I was traveling for interviews or come in during the weekends to catch up on work.

Most 1-year positions are likely to be in scribe-like positions. If you're set on research however, see if your current PI would be willing to have you for another year. My previous PI even offered to sponsor a masters degree and I have a number of friends who wanted to take only 1 year off who found this to be a great option.

 

[nemo123]

I found a couple positions that were open to having someone who would only take one gap year. What might be easier for you, OP, is to email PIs and ask if they positions available in their labs, and you might able to find a handful of PIs who are willing to to take you for only a year (just make sure they are supportive of your plans to go on interviews).

 

[DielsAlder]

I found a couple positions that were open to having someone who would only take one gap year. What might be easier for you, OP, is to email PIs and ask if they positions available in their labs, and you might able to find a handful of PIs who are willing to to take you for only a year (just make sure they are supportive of your plans to go on interviews).

Thanks everyone! Nemo, would I expect positions like the one you mentioned to be volunteer if I do that? I already have plenty of training in relevant techniques for biomedical research, the main limiting step for me in joining a new lab would be learning the lab's focus and how I can contribute given my previous experience.

 

[TheShaker]

Are you looking to get an impressive research experience during the year or just pay the bills? If the latter, then you can use your skillset to get an RA position in industrial research instead of academic. These positions generally pay better and it tends to be a given that RAs will move on to bigger and better things. It might be a problem if you're only staying one year but there are companies out there that are cool with it, like mine. It helps if you have enough technical experience to contribute within your first week. It might take a while but just apply broadly and perhaps be open to moving a long distance for your job (like I did 🙁).

EDIT: Oh, or look into the NIH IRTA Post-bacc program. A lot of the applicants that I've met on the interview trail are doing that. The pay sucks but it's instant name recognition which is good.

 

[nemo123]

Thanks everyone! Nemo, would I expect positions like the one you mentioned to be volunteer if I do that? I already have plenty of training in relevant techniques for biomedical research, the main limiting step for me in joining a new lab would be learning the lab's focus and how I can contribute given my previous experience.

You mean emailing and asking for a position? From my own experience, some PIs, even though they are looking for people to hire, don't interview people who use the job search website at their institution. They tend to interview people who email them inquiring about a position, and by luck of the draw, you might able to find a few PIs who are willing to take you in and let you work for only a year.

 

[Aerus]

If you have research experience and are still researching as an undergrad, why not ask your current lab if they would be willing to hire you? That way you can continue doing what you've been doing and get paid without worrying about finding a job! I know, in my lab, it is common to hire the undergrads once they graduate.