No luck finding research opportunities

[Maeby Funke]

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I started looking back in early April for summer research positions (unpaid) and every thing was already filled up. When I ask my advisers they all recommended the same places I've already tried. How did you guys land your gigs? And when would you say is a good time to apply for positions since they all seem to fill up so quickly?

 

[Lccjblu]

If you're not looking to get paid, it shouldn't be too hard. You could try emailing professors directly and stress that you don't expect to be paid.

Do you have any experience?

 

[13132]

I started looking back in early April for summer research positions (unpaid) and every thing was already filled up. When I ask my advisers they all recommended the same places I've already tried. How did you guys land your gigs? And when would you say is a good time to apply for positions since they all seem to fill up so quickly?

Are you talking about summer research specifically? I have a research gig for next academic year and previously had one in another lab for a semester. If you want to know how I went about obtaining those I will elaborate.

 

[CrunchBerries]

I just messaged the lab; got lucky and was offered a paid job in the lab. I guess you have to keep trying, and looking around. I would also guess before the summer would be a good time, since the seniors are graudating?

 

[Maeby Funke]

Nope, no experience. And I'm not specifically looking for summer positions.

 

[13132]

Nope, no experience. And I'm not specifically looking for summer positions.

I went to my university's department website for Chemistry and Biology. I then viewed all the faculty and generall there will be some sort of research description and if you are lucky there will also be a link to a group website. Read through this information and email the proffesors you are interested in.

Cold emailing is actually effective if you email many people. Chances are that one needs an undergraduate. Also, when I email I always mention I have read a bit about their work and mention what about it interests you. I also go to my first meeting prepared with any relevent research papers they have written recently.

Be confident!

 

[13132]

I should put a disclaimer on that. I can't garuntee it will work. Out of 20 professor I found only about 1 or 2 respond. However, it has been enough to get me into a nanofluidics lab and another nanochemistry lab.

 

[BJJ]

I went to my university's department website for Chemistry and Biology. I then viewed all the faculty and generall there will be some sort of research description and if you are lucky there will also be a link to a group website. Read through this information and email the proffesors you are interested in.

Cold emailing is actually effective if you email many people. Chances are that one needs an undergraduate. Also, when I email I always mention I have read a bit about their work and mention what about it interests you. I also go to my first meeting prepared with any relevent research papers they have written recently.

Be confident!

Yeah I did this. Take some time and spend about a day writing a short paragraph about how you are a curious undergrad wanting some research experience. Avoid telling them you're a pre med. I cold emailed about 10 people on the faculty page for my university's bio/chem faculty. One got back to me and I am meeting him next week to talk about my interests bc he may have a spot. Just keep trying

 

[13132]

OH GOD!!! I forgot! Do not tell them you are pre-med. That really is essential because there are many pre-meds who join labs and do nothing and then expect to put it on a resume/ask for a LOR.

I always say something about I have considered medicine, but I really need to gain research experience to make an informed decision etc etc.

 

[desi0chick]

^Actually sometimes its okay to let them know you're "pre-med", especially if it's clinical research where you're working with a doctor. I contacted a few major hospitals that had research labs in my hometown. Out of the many emails I sent out, I got lucky with 1-2. Usually getting work in a non-paid setting is not too tough but you must start early!

 

[13132]

^Actually sometimes its okay to let them know you're "pre-med", especially if it's clinical research where you're working with a doctor. I contacted a few major hospitals that had research labs in my hometown. Out of the many emails I sent out, I got lucky with 1-2. Usually getting work in a non-paid setting is not too tough but you must start early!

That is a bit different. I was really only reffering to dealing with chem and bio profs who generally are unfriendly with pre-med.

It is also different to tell someone you are pre med if your school is affiliated with a med school and research is through them.

 

[Bungie]

I went to my university's department website for Chemistry and Biology. I then viewed all the faculty and generall there will be some sort of research description and if you are lucky there will also be a link to a group website. Read through this information and email the proffesors you are interested in.

Cold emailing is actually effective if you email many people. Chances are that one needs an undergraduate. Also, when I email I always mention I have read a bit about their work and mention what about it interests you. I also go to my first meeting prepared with any relevent research papers they have written recently.

Be confident!

This is what I did for ~20 PIs, got 5 interviews and all said yes (other 15 labs were already full), and was offered pay by two labs. You just have to email boardly, and take what you can get. I attached a copy of my unofficial transcript to my email since I had to previous experience.