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Any advice on how to find a research assistant position?
Research Assistant
- Thread starter sciencefan243
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Many years ago (in 2011) I posted this very same question. I shot gunned a ton of PIs at my university. Maybe about 50ish. I got about 5 "ok, come to my office" emails. Since that day I now have 5 years of research and multiple pubs. Shotgun a ton of labs and I think you will have success.
You'll have to read up on the professor's research and find several that you are interested in. Maybe read a couple of the recent papers from their labs so you have an idea of what they're doing (and what you would be doing if you got the position). Then draft an email to those PIs that articulate your interest in working for them and why you are interested in their research (bonus if you can include something you would like to explore based on their recent work). This makes you stand out from the hundreds of other students (if you are at a large research university) who are also emailing the PI for this position.
I'm not sure if you're talking about paid research assistant positions, so I'll include a little about that as well. Paid positions are rare - especially for undergraduates. It's generally understood that the reward you get from volunteering with the PI is that if you get significant results, you'll get a publication out of it. If you're looking for something paid, that's rare and you'll see those positions more often created for post-graduate students who may be taking several years off before applying to graduate or professional schools.
I'm not sure if you're talking about paid research assistant positions, so I'll include a little about that as well. Paid positions are rare - especially for undergraduates. It's generally understood that the reward you get from volunteering with the PI is that if you get significant results, you'll get a publication out of it. If you're looking for something paid, that's rare and you'll see those positions more often created for post-graduate students who may be taking several years off before applying to graduate or professional schools.
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How do I approach if I have graduated a long time ago? I am looking for unpaid position.
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Find a professor you actually like. Yes this is important, you are working for them so find out if you can tolerate them. Next do research on their research. Find their grant proposal if applicable and read it fully. If they spent time asking for money, find out what for and why. If it looks like you would enjoy what they are doing, shoot them an email if you don't know who they are. Ask if he/she is looking for a serious research assistant. If you know them, drop by their office and just talk to them. Rejection is part of the process, if they say no then move on.
