How do you get into research?

[LittleMama]

How does someone without a science degree and no research experience get into research? I don't know much about research positions at all.

Can you get a volunteer research position? What does one do when they're "in" research? Can research positions be done part-time?

I know these are broad questions, but I know nothing about research positions, and I don't even know where the best place is to start looking for a research-related position (that doesn't require previous experience). I already have a full-time job, but I want to learn more about research positions.

Thanks!

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[RxnMan]

You can click on the Re-App FAQ link in my signature. There you'll see a listing that answers some of your questions, particularly how to get a research position. They can be part time, they can be volunteer. I would suggest spending more than part-time in the beginning because lab techniques (regardless of field) take an investment of one-on-one time with the people in the lab. After you get the hang of things you can fly solo.

 

[Quix]

I struck up a conversation with the professor I had for Bio II and Human Physiology as part of my post-bacc. She mentioned a friend who had a research group in the university hospital. I e-mailed him, set up a meeting, talked about my academic and research interests with him and plans for medical school, and the rest is history. My CV has blossomed as a result.

 

[njbmd]

How does someone without a science degree and no research experience get into research? I don't know much about research positions at all.

Can you get a volunteer research position? What does one do when they're "in" research? Can research positions be done part-time?

I know these are broad questions, but I know nothing about research positions, and I don't even know where the best place is to start looking for a research-related position (that doesn't require previous experience). I already have a full-time job, but I want to learn more about research positions.

Thanks!

If you are attending a 4-year college or university, you can look up the research interests of any of the professors there in any discipline of interest to you. If there is an attached medical school, you will have more options as many of the basic science professors have research labs. Look up their research (departmental websites) and ask if they have any projects for a pre-med student that could be done on a part time basis. If you have no experience, volunteer to gain some experience. Have a resume/CV handy and be sure to list any skills (cell culture, spectroscopy) that you may have.

For example: Craig Slingluff, Jr M.D.. Included on this page is Dr. Slingluff's research interests as well as his e-mail and phone contacts. If you were interested in working with Dr. Slingluff, you might put his name in Pub Med and read some of his publications as well as contact him to see if he has any lab projects that might be suitable for a pre-med student.

I am sure that there are plenty of other scientists like Dr. Slingluff that would welcome undergraduate researchers.

Here is another: Akos Vertes, Professor of Chemistry. Dr Vertes has a very large and active research lab. His contact information is listed on this site along with his projects. The GWU Chemistry department has a very well-developed program for undergraduate research where you can earn university credit and gain experience. You research papers that were written by Dr. Vertes and get an idea of what he is working on and contact him.

These are two examples that I picked up skimming the web at random. Check out researchers at your undergraduate institution or one nearby and see what you can find. Start with departmental websites and go from there.

 

[Jill32579]

I have worked as a clinical research coordinator for the past 5 years. If you are interested in clinical research and want a paid position, look for job openings at any major medical center in your area. There are usually full and part time positions available. If they do research anywhere in the hospital you will most definitely be able to find a way to get your foot in the door. Also, we have had many pre-meds come in and volunteer for us. Most of them get the position by directly contacting the PI or research coordinator. Research hospitals are legally required to register clinical trials (www.clinicaltrials.gov) and list contact info so you can search for location and subject areas you are interested in. Additionally, hospitals usually have websites that list trials in progress and contact information so you could either call or email. The people I work with will always welcome free help with open arms and the physicians are usually very sympathetic to the need to bolster applications. Good luck!

 

[LittleMama]

Wow - thanks everyone for all of the great information! You've all provided some good starting points for me in getting involved with research. Thanks a bunch!

 

[omelette1230]

can good research experience and publications help your application significantly?

 

[Captain Fantastic]

How does someone without a science degree and no research experience get into research? I don't know much about research positions at all.

Can you get a volunteer research position? What does one do when they're "in" research? Can research positions be done part-time?

I know these are broad questions, but I know nothing about research positions, and I don't even know where the best place is to start looking for a research-related position (that doesn't require previous experience). I already have a full-time job, but I want to learn more about research positions.

Thanks!

I volunteered on a clinical research project for 10 hrs/week. I was working a full-time software job, taking classes part-time, when I started volunteering on the study. After a few months they invited me on as a staff (paid) research assistant -- still just 10 hrs/week and mostly on weekends.

The project I worked I had to meet with diabetic patients for 4 hour and 2 hour time slots to document/measure all sorts of stuff for the study. I was blinded so I didn't know who was control and who was intervention, but I got to follow roughly 100 patients for a year and I got very intimate with them and their disease.

I answered an ad on the undergrad research web-site looking for a volunteer. I had no promises of money, acknowledgement, or anything. I wanted the experience, they wanted cheap/reliable labor. I turned into a goldmine. I was able to network with all sorts of docs and get shadowing and other work lined up through the physician contacts I made -- not to mention the lessons I learned about research and the challenges of working with people participants.

 

[Mama070609]

As a recent graduate with a double major in biology and chemistry (no internships, no work with a professor outside of classroom time), I applied for a full-time Research Assistant position in a Biomedical Research lab. I interviewed and got the job. I spent the first month basically shadowing the person whose place I was taking to see what all he did. However, it took me longer than that to learn the various protocols. But, even after you 'learn' what is to be done in the various procedures, you still reference the written up protocol before and during a procedure.

In my position, at my company, I perform the typical tasks that a Technician would perform, but yet I get the opportunity to do so much more. I have heard that those in entry-level positions at this company get much more experience and have more responsibilities than entry-level positions in other locations.

But, basically, you have to start at the bottom. If you want to work in research, and want to get experience in an actual lab, you can look around for internships, possible volunteer positions, and the like, but you can also just apply for a job. Good luck!

 

[sean1984]

One thing to consider is looking to other departments/fields/programs in order to get biology research. I got my undergrade in physics and had the opportunity to do experimental biophysics. The professor that I worked under had some biology kids working for him, even though he was a physicist. Also, some departments have a biophysics major/minor, where you have to do research in order to graduate, and they will set you up in a lab, and although it is not paid, you could be doing it at a medical school you plan to attend.

 

[cloverpie]

Are you looking for lab research specifically? If you're taking pre-requisite classes right now, ask your professors or TA's if they know someone who needs a research volunteer at the moment. Don't be terribly picky to begin with-they will likely have you make stock solutions, autoclave and wash glassware (very important, guys!) but remember to do a thorough job and ask lots of questions. This is how I got my first lab job. Remember, all it takes is the first job. One lab experience leads to another and then leads to another.

Also, have you taken any economics or psychology courses? These fields are a great way to parlay yourself into a public health or neuroscience research position. If you've taken math or computer science, check into positions where they need software specialists. I'm amazed at how many lab positions now ask for computer experience. Advertise your excellent Excel, SPSS or Word skills because those will also help. The suggestion about being a clinical research coordinator is good because those positions emphasize skills such as organization and attention to detail-which can be acquired through many experiences besides pure bench research.

Remember, there are hundreds of people looking for each position. This is not meant to be discouraging but to make you realize that you have some marketing to do. Getting a research position is as much as about evaluating your skills and experiences and conveying how they will fit a position as they are about what will be good for you.

 

[Quix]

can good research experience and publications help your application significantly?

It can't hurt. I actually bring a copy of my CV to interviews, and show that I've been quite productive in academic medicine (which has helped mitigate my lower than average matriculant QPA).

 

[maristella]

my university has a website that posts open jobs, both for students and non-students. these are paid positions, part time and full time, and many are in research. you don't necessarily have to have a biology degree, but some coursework is if not required, highly recommended. so you might want to try your school's (or nearby school's) employment opportunities website