getting a research job

[Bored_Student]

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hey everyone,

im currently a senior and want to apply to med schools next year. i'd like to work in a job as a research associate or some sort of position in clinical research while i apply. do you guys have any tips for getting a job like this? i was just thinking i'd email some faculty and ask. also, what sort of compensation should i expect?

- jim

 

[monkily_stealth]

hey everyone,

im currently a senior and want to apply to med schools next year. i'd like to work in a job as a research associate or some sort of position in clinical research while i apply. do you guys have any tips for getting a job like this? i was just thinking i'd email some faculty and ask. also, what sort of compensation should i expect?

- jim

I got mine by emailing a prof. It'd be better to go face-to-face, though, and ask if they have any positions available. Oh, and don't expect much in the way of compensation. You might get a small grant or stipend, but it probably won't be much.

 

[C.P. Jones]

you can apply through a university's human resources page as well

 

[maestro1625]

I emailed the research director at the major state U (UMich) in my area. I go to a LAC... so yeah. She basically took me around to every lab in her building and asked "anyone want an undergrad in thier lab this summer?" I got a job offer 2 days later.

 

[adcomsRg0d]

I got mine through a pre-med list serve at my school. If there is a pre-med advising office, they might have some information as well.

Compensation is low and depends on how much is left over after funding the research.

 

[deleted102545]

Is there any field you are particularly interested in? If so, go hunt the professor that teaches and it talk to them face to face if they have any positions open.

 

[mshheaddoc]

I emailed the research director at the major state U (UMich) in my area. I go to a LAC... so yeah. She basically took me around to every lab in her building and asked "anyone want an undergrad in thier lab this summer?" I got a job offer 2 days later.

I did something similar to this and got a job (not clinical though) this way. Just contact as many people as you can.

 

[A Tree]

hey everyone,

im currently a senior and want to apply to med schools next year. i'd like to work in a job as a research associate or some sort of position in clinical research while i apply. do you guys have any tips for getting a job like this? i was just thinking i'd email some faculty and ask. also, what sort of compensation should i expect?

- jim

Research associate is usually a PhD level, staff scientist position, FYI

Large research institutions usually have employment websites that are kept up to date. So, for instance, if you were interested in being in La Jolla next year:

http://www.burnham.org/default.asp?contentID=14

or New York:

http://www.mskcc.org/jobsearch/index.cfm

I'd expect somewhere in the 20K's for these positions, slightly higher in NYC (low 30K's if you're lucky?). Seriously....

 

[Depakote]

*currently works in clinical research*

What helped me get my job:

HR depts tend to be black holes. If you can, try to contact the dept manager directly. Offer them a copy of your CV. Be upfront about your plans for med school. A lot of these places have opportunities for short-term hires. (our office just brought somebody in for a project that will only last a couple of months, my boss hired me in full time expecting me to leave the next year, but was very happy when I told him I would be staying an extra year)

If you have any LORs from previous volunteer experiences, these can be very helpful. You pre-med advisor may be able to send these to your prospective employer. This was the clincher. I had a great LOR from my last volunteer experience (It actually was a recommendation for med school, but it listed everything I had done and said how well I worked in this doc's office) so it worked out well.

That's what I can think of off the bat, but if anyone has specific questions, feel free to PM.

 

[Schaden Freud]

If you have your BS and a decent amount of lab experience, you can get a job as a research assistant at a university or pharmaceutical company. The majority of these positions will be in the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, NYC/NJ, and possibly the Research Triangle in NC. Pay usually starts in the high 20K's (higher in the private sector than in academia), unless you have a some special skills that will allow you to start as a Research Assistant II or III.
RA jobs can be pretty interesting, expose you to modern research (not just the typical fly-pushing or arabidopsis stuff that you'll do in college), will sometimes lead to publication or independent research opportunities (not so much in the private sector though), can bolster your public speaking and presenting skills, and can garner a sweet letter of recommendation.

As far as applying, the HR website is often the best option, unless you have a very specific research interest (in which case, contact the PI directly and hope for the best).

hey everyone,

im currently a senior and want to apply to med schools next year. i'd like to work in a job as a research associate or some sort of position in clinical research while i apply. do you guys have any tips for getting a job like this? i was just thinking i'd email some faculty and ask. also, what sort of compensation should i expect?

- jim

 

[mshheaddoc]

If you have your BS and a decent amount of lab experience, you can get a job as a research assistant at a university or pharmaceutical company. The majority of these positions will be in the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, NYC/NJ, and possibly the Research Triangle in NC. Pay usually starts in the high 20K's (higher in the private sector than in academia), unless you have a some special skills that will allow you to start as a Research Assistant II or III.
RA jobs can be pretty interesting, expose you to modern research (not just the typical fly-pushing or arabidopsis stuff that you'll do in college), will sometimes lead to publication or independent research opportunities (not so much in the private sector though), can bolster your public speaking and presenting skills, and can garner a sweet letter of recommendation.

As far as applying, the HR website is often the best option, unless you have a very specific research interest (in which case, contact the PI directly and hope for the best).

Also there are tons of similar jobs in the philly metro area.