The Freshman Research Initiative

Note: "Fall Hire Only" indicates that applications for these positions will be accepted in the Spring Semester only, for students to begin work in the fall.

The Freshman Research Initiative (FRI) offers first year students the opportunity to initiate and engage in authentic research experiences in chemistry, biochemistry, nanotechnology, molecular biology, physics, astronomy, and computer sciences.  Each year more than 500 freshmen begin a three semester research experience with a semester long Research Methods course, which is followed by two semesters conducting original research under the direction of a UT faculty member.  The program provides a platform for future success and provides the opportunity for students to learn not only investigative skills, but also to develop leadership, and mentoring skills, as well.

Student position(s) within FRI:

Each year more than 500 first-semester freshmen enter inquiry-based Research Methods courses.  Undergraduate Teaching Assistants help students in Research Methods to design and execute experiments, and perform duties to support and supervise research conducted in Research Methods laboratories.

We are looking for bright, motivated students who are enthusiastic about research and who want to share what they have learned with new students.  They must have a 3.0 UT GPA and the ability to spend 5-10 hours per week performing UGTA duties.  In addition, they must complete training provided by the College of Natural Sciences Tutor and Mentor Academy.  While not required, research, mentoring, tutoring or FRI experience is a plus.

In the second and third semesters of the FRI, students are placed into research streams where they engage in original scientific research.  Peer mentors assist and supervise FRI students as they engage in research for the first time.  They serve as role models and examples to new students and share their experiences and expertise with these new investigators.  This encouragement and support helps new FRI students to adapt quickly to the unique challenges presented by conducting original research.

The ideal mentor is a student who has engaged in research, wants to help others to master the intellectual demands of research, and enjoys working with other students in groups.  In addition, they must have a 3.0 UT GPA and the ability to spend 10 hours per week mentoring FRI students.  They must also complete training provided by the College of Natural Sciences Tutor and Mentor Academy.  Because mentors will be expected to assist students in methods specific to a research stream, familiarity with these methods and the larger questions being addressed by their research is highly desirable.