How do you find a research position?

[Theory]

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I did post-bacc pre-med and was consistently told that by the time I was done being trained, I would be gone, so nobody wanted to hire me for a research position. I'm now done with classes and worried that my application completely lacks any kind of research. What can I do to fix this?

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[frescoengano]

yea, its kinda hard to find a position if you have <1 year...but research isn't really necessary...just do lots of clinical (assuming you dont want an md/phd)

 

[Practitioner]

Okay, here's what honestly worked for me:

I spoke with the secretary of a PI who was working with general technologies and field I was interested in (Genetics) and set up a meeting, this was after several failed attempts via e-mail and direct contact with him. I asked her also how outgoing and approachable he is, and also spoke with some of the people in his lab.

Anyways, I ended up going to meet with him. Sat down, asked how he got into genetic research, about his path into research, etc. Then I was just really candid with him that I wanted to work in his lab, at least in a voluntary capacity.

He asked what I wanted, I explained my interests and plans (and offered to start off with lit review of his recent publications and publications of his choice on the topic I was to work on). We met a week later and started training.

It helps if you choose something you're really excited in, because it shows, I think. I was talking with him about one of his interviews with Science magazine, and microarray technologies and how the early applications in diagnostics and how they blew my mind away, etc. So I think, I hope, he got a feel of how motivated and excited I was to work with him.

I suggest something similar. You have nothing to loose, so find someone you would like to work with, do some basic asking around about how they are as a person (professional, laid back, stern, easy-going, etc) and then go meet with them and be frank about what you hope to gain and give.

 

[Kalyx]

Okay, here's what honestly worked for me:

I spoke with the secretary of a PI who was working with general technologies and field I was interested in (Genetics) and set up a meeting, this was after several failed attempts via e-mail and direct contact with him. I asked her also how outgoing and approachable he is, and also spoke with some of the people in his lab.

Anyways, I ended up going to meet with him. Sat down, asked how he got into genetic research, about his path into research, etc. Then I was just really candid with him that I wanted to work in his lab, at least in a voluntary capacity.

He asked what I wanted, I explained my interests and plans (and offered to start off with lit review of his recent publications and publications of his choice on the topic I was to work on). We met a week later and started training.

It helps if you choose something you're really excited in, because it shows, I think. I was talking with him about one of his interviews with Science magazine, and microarray technologies and how the early applications in diagnostics and how they blew my mind away, etc. So I think, I hope, he got a feel of how motivated and excited I was to work with him.

I suggest something similar. You have nothing to loose, so find someone you would like to work with, do some basic asking around about how they are as a person (professional, laid back, stern, easy-going, etc) and then go meet with them and be frank about what you hope to gain and give.

👍

Beautiful!

 

[PreDoc15]

i am a freshmen in college now with no research experience at all. What i did was I went on my colleges dept. sites and looked at profs who were doing research i was interested in. I emailed all of them saying i was interested and was willing to volunteer in their lab. In about a week I have gotten several interview invites.

For the summer I did the same thing, since i live in an area with tons and tons of hospitals/research facilities i went on all their websites and did the same thing. Emailed docs, phds and got a job for the summer with no experience.

Granted i do go to a school with tons of research and live in an area that is known for its hospitals/biotech companies. Just be proactive and something will work out. like the above poster said apply to places you are interested in PI can tell if you arent and wont hire you. hope that helps

 

[akinetopsia]

It's a little different looking for research opportunities as a post-bacc pre-med. Most formal research positions, especially summer programs, are oriented towards rising juniors/seniors and if you hold a bachelor's degree, you are ineligible (I've read a lot of FAQs on program websites and contacted programs).

In your (our) shoes, you basically have to hustle if you want to be involved in research. I don't mean that in a negative way, I mean you have to be proactive like the person upthread was in seeking out a PI that was doing research that was meaningful and interesting to them.

Good luck.