When emailing PI for research....

[passionformed]

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What I did was " X University student looking for research position"

Did they assume I was asking for a paid position? Do I have to put volunteer position if I want them to know I am not looking for paid work?

Thanks.

 

[911 Turbo]

What I did was " X University student looking for research position"

Did they assume I was asking for a paid position? Do I have to put volunteer position if I want them to know I am not looking for paid work?

Thanks.

It doesn't matter... They will probably ask you what you are looking for if/when they email you back.

 

[TriagePreMed]

If you're looking for unpaid, it is in your best interest to make it clear since the beginning. Otherwise, they might not even respond to the e-mail.

 

[911 Turbo]

If you're looking for unpaid, it is in your best interest to make it clear since the beginning. Otherwise, they might not even respond to the e-mail.

Yeah... I was assuming that the OP already sent the letter out tho.

 

[Guero]

What I did was " X University student looking for research position"

Did they assume I was asking for a paid position? Do I have to put volunteer position if I want them to know I am not looking for paid work?

Thanks.

I've posted this elsewhere, but the best way to even get a reply is by expressing interest in their work with a very brief email.

Simply title your email with whatever aspect of their research you find appealing. In the body, be professional, polite, state you're interested in discussing their work and ask if they'd have time to briefly meet. One to 3 sentences are best. I've had 90% success in landing meetings and initiating projects in this way. Feel free to PM me with more questions. GL

 

[lovesfall]

It helps to say volunteer. Some people ask. Some assume you want something paid and then may not answer if they don't have funding.

 

[Aerus]

If you go to a big top tier public research university, it's almost assumed that it's volunteer, since there are 3948509435 people waiting behind you willing to volunteer if you decide to quit because you aren't being paid. If you go to a smaller private research university, you probably should specify volunteer. Make your email appealing. Think about what PI's want in an undergraduate researcher and what they don't want.

They DO want dedicated, hard-working, reliable people who will stay committed to their lab and positively contribute to the project and environment.

They DON'T want greedy pre-meds who are only looking for publications, don't care about the project at all, and will quit at the instant sign of a potentially better research opportunity.

Appeal to their likes and know how to emphasize that you don't have what they dislike.

 

[plumhill]

If you need to get paid, it is helpful to have outside funding so that the PI isn't paying an undergrad with limited experience out of his/her grant.

Start off volunteering, then see if you can get paid later on.