Research, and How to Make a Position Less Elusive

The problem is quite circular.

Labs want undergrads with research experience. Undergrads who are starting out don't have any, which is why they're looking for a position. BUT, don't give up! One of the best mentors I've had in college was my lab post doc, and working in a lab brought life to my major (as cheesy as that sounds). If research is something you want to explore, you gotta get that break somehow.

Several Approaches to Getting a Lab Position



1) Emailing

• This is often about luck, but there are ways to increase your chances.
• Send emails to postdocs or grad students in the lab, not the PI (primary/principal investigator). Most PI's are extremely busy, and won't have time to respond to your emails. You will most likely be working with a post doc, or a grad student on their project, so it's better to ask them directly. 
• Timing - There are times when labs are actively searching for undergrads because people have graduated, so your best bet is right before school ends into summer (so you can be trained during summer when you don't have a boatload of classes limiting your time in lab), or at the end of any semester.
• Availability in 4-5 hour blocks of time - If you can schedule your classes so that you have significant time blocks available, this is MUCH more favorable for research, as running a single experiment usually takes this long (or longer). Most labs are looking for people who can stick around for multiple years, with 10-16 hours of availability per week. 
• If you're going to use this approach, include:
• A brief paragraph or "cover letter" as the body of your email, explaining why you are interested in this specific lab, 
• Resume - include a section listed "Relevant Coursework", and a section titled "Lab Techniques" which you may have learned in your biology/chemistry labs. Just go through your manual/reader and figure out what you know so far.
• # hrs/week you plan to dedicate to the lab

2) Programs like URAP or SURF

• Programs like URAP or SURF (these are Cal-specific, but I'm sure there are others at every university) are made to pair up undergrads who are looking for positions to labs who are seeking help. 
• If you have a high GPA, this is a good option for you. If not, probably best to look elsewhere (like me.. haha). 

3) Getting to know a professor through your class, and asking about openings in office hours

• This method worked for me. I met a professor that I liked, read up on his research, and eventually asked if there were openings in his lab. You would be surprised that a lot of people don't take the time to ask a professor in person, and would rather hide behind their mass research emails. I think if you talk to someone in person, it's a little bit harder to turn you down, especially if you are genuinely interested in the research and can convey that to them.

4) Asking someone you know (aka, connections.)

• IMO, this is the most effective way of getting a research position. Post docs/grad students are all very busy with their projects, and don't want to hand off parts of it to people who they can't trust to be responsible/dependable/efficient/quick-learners from the start. Getting someone who is graduating from the lab, or currently in the lab, to give a recommendation on your behalf is the most likely way you'll land an interview for labs.