Paid research positions?

[BaronVonZ]

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Hey SDNers,

I'm a recent Bio grad with a year before possible entry into med school and I'm looking for paid research positions in the mean time. I've fully exhausted all the standard job websites, craigslist, local universities, and applied to some major names directly (P&G, J&J etc). Any ideas where/how I should go about searching? I'm hardworking and have a nice resume but the economy has left me hearing crickets and working a retail job I don't much care for (that might be an understatement).


Thanks for any advice!!

 

[IvyHopeful20]

Well, it's hard to find an actual job as a researcher without a masters degree or some experience with techniques used in that particular lab. Did you try NIH and their IRTA type programs?

 

[BaronVonZ]

Yeah I looked into it, but with their minimum time commitment and substantial application processing times I couldn't really fit it in before med school.

I know a B.Sc. isn't exactly a door opener for research positions, but I'd be happy working as an assistant/tech/other blunt-force labor... still a lot to be learned from the experience and hopefully my work quality would allow me to enter into some of the more interesting work with time.

 

[OGMD]

I got lucky on craigslist and found a 6 month clinical trial. They pay VERY well. Keep looking and asking around.

 

[Wermz]

you're kinda late to the punch. most people who graduated a few months ago were looking for jobs before graduation or shortly afterwards.

 

[cfx]

Hey SDNers,

I'm a recent Bio grad with a year before possible entry into med school and I'm looking for paid research positions in the mean time. I've fully exhausted all the standard job websites, craigslist, local universities, and applied to some major names directly (P&G, J&J etc). Any ideas where/how I should go about searching? I'm hardworking and have a nice resume but the economy has left me hearing crickets and working a retail job I don't much care for (that might be an understatement).


Thanks for any advice!!

If it's any consolation, I (and probably many many others) am in the same boat. Have you tried asking your previous PIs if they have any connections? I did this, but of course all of the "connections" had no money for hiring.

The problem is, I think that most of the positions that are advertised receive "dozens" of applications (words from a lab I applied to). There are tons of people with more than a BS, plus years of experience, and are looking for a longer-term job than just a 10 month time-filler before medical school. I don't blame any lab for preferring these people, but I'm with you, it 's a frustrating time to be looking for work.

 

[BaronVonZ]

you're kinda late to the punch. most people who graduated a few months ago were looking for jobs before graduation or shortly afterwards.

I've been punching for a couple of months, which is how I came across the job I'm currently supporting myself with... still trying to find an opportunity in the world of research.

I know I'm not alone in feeling the pressures of the job market, but I so much want to replace my current employment I could use any advice I can get..

 

[DrSmday]

You should try emailing the professors at your local universities directly.... go through the school websites, read about the research projects each professor is working on, then email the professors whose research you are interested in and would be good at based on your skill set... simply send your resume/CV to their direct email address (not online job postin) and ask if they have any lab technitian positions available....

this is what I did after I graduated.... I spent months and months filling out applications online... must have sent out like a million... didnt hear back from any... then I emailed like 20 professors at a couple of different schools.... a few responded saying they had nothing, some ignored me, and one called me himself and said he would like to invite me for an interview... I started working less than 2 weeks after that.

Hope you find something soon! I know how frustrating the whole thing is!

 

[seelee]

Definitely email professors directly. Few, if any, will post an opening online.

You should also not limit yourself to research. First off, not a lot of places are going to want to hire a person, spend the time and money training him, only to have him leave after a year. Secondly, research is not that big of a help as far as getting into medical school. There are other things you could do that would help your application much more. If you really need the money, I would take any job I could get (even retail), and do some volunteering, or shadowing or both.

 

[BaronVonZ]

I'm already working a job in order to support myself, but its aggressive selling and I come home swimming in self loathing every day... cant wait to find a way out. I think research would be ideal for helping my medical school resume as I already have a proper GPA, MCAT, and volunteer experience.

 

[soundnin]

Yeah I looked into it, but with their minimum time commitment and substantial application processing times I couldn't really fit it in before med school.

I know a B.Sc. isn't exactly a door opener for research positions, but I'd be happy working as an assistant/tech/other blunt-force labor... still a lot to be learned from the experience and hopefully my work quality would allow me to enter into some of the more interesting work with time.

although i don't think most entry level jobs require a masters, i do think most entry level in academic settings ask for a 2 year min requirement. also, 2 years will most likely be more meaningful than 1 year if you're just doing this to pad your apps...

 

[Gloves]

email professors. Maybe they might not pay you at the beginning but if you display competence they'll be bound to give you something

but it's only 1 year. That's not much of a commitment 🙁

 

[shiite7]

I second the email-approach. Attach a CV and try to tailor each email for the specific person/PI, showing that you've looked into their research. Last summer I emailed about 12 professors for research positions. About two replied saying they had no funding/positions available, and about two replied requesting an interview. It turned out pretty well for me. I get paid for my research.

 

[O0O]

Where are you living? I know the university of colorado www.jobsatcu.com has a bunch of jobs opening up all the time. I got a job there with a only a BS, and so have two of my other friends.

 

[AutumnChild]

Though I don't really have any advice as I'm in the same position, I just want to say that I hear ya. I actually have a masters degree too. It does help as I've gotten 2 job interviews from universities in my area but like others have said when they know you're going to be flying around for interviews and only working for the year, they don't want to spend the money and the time to train you just to have you disappear so soon. That's why, after being honest with them, the two places have ultimately found others better suitable. I would say look for more temporary type jobs that you find fulfilling. Doesn't have to be healthcare related as long as you do some shadowing or volunteer work on the side. Good luck!

 

[glasshalfMD]

Where are you from, Baron?

We have an opening coming up for a research assistant position in my department - we do human subjects research in a hospital setting. Just throwing it out there. It's in Cincinnati.

 

[BaronVonZ]

Where are you from, Baron?

We have an opening coming up for a research assistant position in my department - we do human subjects research in a hospital setting. Just throwing it out there. It's in Cincinnati.

I live in Phoenix, AZ - but for an interesting position that paid enough to cover my living expenses (I just need to sustain myself modestly) I would very seriously consider relocation. Perhaps you could PM me more information?