looking for research jobs

[twocentnews]

Hey everyone,

So this is not entirely DO related, but I want to take a year off between college and (hopefully!) medical school and so I was hoping to do something research or clinical-related, job-wise, during that time. I applied to some research assistant stuff in Boston, which is where I really would like to spend the year, but do you guys have any advice as far as how to look for research positions? Or what kind of other jobs I can do that will help me gain some relevant experience for medical school?

I don't have any real research experience, but I'm open to any and all suggestions and would really appreciate it, thanks!

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[Morsetlis]

Research assistant is good. Ask about options to get published.

 

[jkmph]

I'd start with the NIH and CDC. They both have financially lucrative (relatively speaking) programs for recent graduates looking for 1 or 2 years of employment.

 

[dapdrow]

Well, in NYC, I seem to be able to find research jobs by:

(1) Looking at hospital/school websites. They usually have a "career opportunities" section. And some jobs specifically mention that their research opportunity would be good for someone looking to apply to medical school, so it's usually a relatively short (year or so) opportunity.

(2) Craigslist.

 

[Everglide]

Find the biggest academic medical center(s) near you and apply there. Should be easy enough to get an RA position there.

 

[Lynndaleena]

I just searched pretty every research assistant at the university I live near and applied to a lot of positions. I was lucky to find a job a research lab, but if you want to work in a research lab in a university, a lot of times they like to have people there for more than a year; I know one job I interviewed I didn't get because I told them I was applying to medical school.

 

[Cheshyre]

Something else you can do is find the nearest academic institution and go through their faculty list. Their research interests should be easy to find. Make a list of those that interest you, then send out some feeler emails -

"Hi, I'm ____, a student/graduate of _____ majoring in _______. I'm interested in your work with _____. I wanted to inquire if there are any open lab assistant positions, blahblahblah. I am (insert strengths here). Attached is my resume, etc. Please contact me at _____. Thank you, ____."

Realize that you don't have to do research under a DO. You could be under a Ph.D. or an MD. Research experience is research experience. If you get an interview, remember to ask what you'll be doing. Nothing should be beneath you - if they say you'll wash dishes, do it. However, remember that you're there to learn, so make sure you'll be doing other stuff in addition to dishwashing. Also, ask about hours - I'm not a fan of super hardcore labs where they expect full time students to be in lab consistently over 20 hours/wk or in lab overnight. With my courseload in college, I wouldn't have been able to sustain such a schedule, but you might be able to. I don't know what your situation is.

Most of all, once you're in research, work hard as hell. Be on top of things. Keep great records. You have the potential for some solid rec letters or opportunities, and even if you never see the Principal Investigator (head of the lab, usually doesn't do benchwork and is off writing grants and reviewing other papers), believe me, they will know every little thing that happens regarding you. If people see you working hard, they will go out of your way to teach you. Once you're doing solid work, start asking about things that interest you. Is there surgery going on in lab that you want to learn? Talk to your boss about it. They might be willing to let you get animal work-certified so you can start putting in sutures. Does the thermal cycler terrify you? Ask someone to teach you in their time off or at least hand you a protocol for it.

 

[twocentnews]

Thanks for the feedback you guys. How much experience do you think is necessary in order to land a research position? I applied to a bunch in Boston, MA about a week ago and haven't heard anything back yet even though most of them were entry-level with minimal research experience required. Maybe I'm just being impatient and a week isn't long enough for them to sort through everything?

 

[dapdrow]

Thanks for the feedback you guys. How much experience do you think is necessary in order to land a research position? I applied to a bunch in Boston, MA about a week ago and haven't heard anything back yet even though most of them were entry-level with minimal research experience required. Maybe I'm just being impatient and a week isn't long enough for them to sort through everything?

It depends. You could always follow-up with them and inquire about it. Did they have something written like "accepting applications until" or "deadline is" because they might be accepting applications for awhile then.

When my friend was applying for research jobs it took quite awhile for them to get back and it took about a month for the entire hiring process to take place.

 

[antapolar]

Thanks for the feedback you guys. How much experience do you think is necessary in order to land a research position? I applied to a bunch in Boston, MA about a week ago and haven't heard anything back yet even though most of them were entry-level with minimal research experience required. Maybe I'm just being impatient and a week isn't long enough for them to sort through everything?

Massive e-mailing to any professors/researcher in your field of interest. Don't just apply to the ones that are posted on school website, chances out if you can find it, hundreds of ppl can find it too. I prob e-mailed out 150+ to land mine. I've had some volunteering research experience + 4th yr thesis, but generally a research assistant doesn't require much.

The process can be very time consuming, finding the right position is a lot about the 'timing.' Sometimes you can apply for weeks without good reply, other times, you're lucky and sent the letter just when they're looking and its done. A week is not long at all, if its really a position of interest, reply to inquire about any progress on your applications and show that you are very interested. Gl 🙂

 

[twocentnews]

Thanks for the help, everyone.

I started e-mailing researchers at the teaching hospitals. I want to be in Boston next year, so that could be the reason why I'm having a hard time since it's in the city and I don't have a whole lot of experience with it.