I need some help getting into a research lab...

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V781

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I'm very intent on getting into a research lab at my school. My school is known for its research and I really think a lot of what's being done on this campus is interesting. I want to be a part of it. I want to see what is being done. And I believe it would be a great learning experience. As well as this, it would be another opportunity to get to know a professor better for a LoR.

I really got along with one of my professors this quarter and I asked about working in her lab. She told me to send her an email that "expressed my explicit interest" in her lab and that she would forward it to the undergraduate coordinator in her lab. I'm somewhat confused by what she wants. I know vaguely what her lab does and I have looked at a couple past publications that I don't entirely understand...I do not know what is currently being done by her grad students as her projects' page is blank. Do I merely mention that I'm intrigued by the evidence they've gathered supporting this and that? Mention that I wonder why this is the case and would like to help discover the answer? Do I say I hope to learn about the particulars of cell plasticity and gene expression while in their lab? Or does she want me to express what about the NS I find interesting so she can direct me to a particular grad student who is doing something similar?

In the event that she doesn't offer the experience I'd like (it may just be washing glassware), I also want to send out numerous emails to several other professors whose work I find interesting. Again, I'm simply not sure how to format the email. A simple "I am intrigued by this particular approach you have taken...I'm curious as to why such and such works...I have a couple years' time to donate to your lab and would be willing to start soon..."? The method around here indeed seems to be to cold email professors.

I have no lab experience but am a Junior (transfer student). Please help me land a position! I really do want to get something good.
 
I think you are overthinking this. Be honest in your email and tell your professor why you want to be in her lab. You don’t need to have a full understanding of all of the research that goes on there, just a genuine curiosity and willingness to learn.

The same goes for cold emailing, find some labs that genuinely interest you. Email a brief introduction (your name, year, major, etc.) and a little bit about why you are drawn to their work (speak to classroom, lab, or extracurricular experiences and how it relates to the research BRIEFLY).

As someone who reads many of these emails for my lab, I would be happy to read your draft email. Feel free to DM.
 
I'm very intent on getting into a research lab at my school. My school is known for its research and I really think a lot of what's being done on this campus is interesting. I want to be a part of it. I want to see what is being done. And I believe it would be a great learning experience. As well as this, it would be another opportunity to get to know a professor better for a LoR.

I really got along with one of my professors this quarter and I asked about working in her lab. She told me to send her an email that "expressed my explicit interest" in her lab and that she would forward it to the undergraduate coordinator in her lab. I'm somewhat confused by what she wants. I know vaguely what her lab does and I have looked at a couple past publications that I don't entirely understand...I do not know what is currently being done by her grad students as her projects' page is blank. Do I merely mention that I'm intrigued by the evidence they've gathered supporting this and that? Mention that I wonder why this is the case and would like to help discover the answer? Do I say I hope to learn about the particulars of cell plasticity and gene expression while in their lab? Or does she want me to express what about the NS I find interesting so she can direct me to a particular grad student who is doing something similar?

In the event that she doesn't offer the experience I'd like (it may just be washing glassware), I also want to send out numerous emails to several other professors whose work I find interesting. Again, I'm simply not sure how to format the email. A simple "I am intrigued by this particular approach you have taken...I'm curious as to why such and such works...I have a couple years' time to donate to your lab and would be willing to start soon..."? The method around here indeed seems to be to cold email professors.

I have no lab experience but am a Junior (transfer student). Please help me land a position! I really do want to get something good.
I suggest that you look at her research papers to get a better idea as to what you're getting into.
 
this video helped me a lot in looking for research as a sophomore. 1. Create a resume/CV that is catered to the profs 2. cold email including the resume 3. set up a time to meet with the profs 4. print and look over a publication or two of theirs. write notes and questions on it. if it doesn't make sense that's okay its the effort that counts 5. meet with them and ask questions about their publications which will show interest (bring the annotated publication). ask questions about time commitments, if undergrads are able to get published, etc
 
I wrote a 10 page paper to the PI of a lab summarizing their research. Worked out
 
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you might find this blog post helpful! it talks about how to find research opportunities which I know you've already found one, but also covers how to contact them and what to say.

You should be honest and tell them in a reasonably formal email why you are interested in working and what intrigues you 🙂
 
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