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Explore Research Opportunities

Get support for your plans to do research in the college, during the summer and beyond.

Schedule a Consult

CNS peer ambassadors are available to meet with students interested in finding a research placement.

Resources

  • A collection of sample emails from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
  • UT’s Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) offers support and resources for student engagement in research and creative activity in disciplines across the campus.
  • EUREKA! Is the research database that offers extensive information on how to publish your work, how to obtain funding, how to do research abroad, and how to use your research experience to augment your resume and improve your chances of getting the right job or getting into the right school.
  • Undergraduate Writing Center has writing consultants who can help you prepare your personal statements and review proposals.
  • CNS Career Services has career coaches who can help you translate your research experiences into other opportunities
  • UT’s Study Abroad Office (TEXAS Global) can help you plan to incorporate research or an internship into your study abroad experience.

 Steps to Joining a Research Lab

Step 1: Explore and identify your interests

Ask yourself ... What are you genuinely interested in? What drew you to science in the first place?  Are there courses/topics that you want to know more about? Is there a particular research area or topic you have in mind? 

Step 2: Come up with a list of 3-5 faculty members who are doing research that is a good fit for your interests.

  • Browse CNS departmental faculty profiles.
  • Use your network – speak with faculty members/instructors, TA’s, your peers, advisors, etc.
  • Check out EUREKA!, UT Austin’s searchable database supporting undergraduate research.
  • Join the CNS experiential learning listserv to hear about research-related opportunities and events.

Step 3: Prepare to contact faculty members

  • Come up with a list of 3-5 faculty members you’d like to contact about assisting on a project.
  • Plan to contact them one at a time.
  • Before contacting them, find the list of recent publications by this person. Browse titles and abstracts.

Step 4: Email faculty members

What should you include in an email?

  • Use professional, formal writing, and keep your message brief.
  • Introduce yourself and give your background and qualifications.
  • Show interest in the research taking place in that group, not just in your personal gains.
  • Express interest in assisting on the project.
  • Ask if there’s a convenient time to meet to discuss project and possibilities.
  • Include your full contact info.
  • For sample emails, see the resource section at the bottom of this page.

Step 5: Meet with faculty member

 Prepare to answer these kinds of questions:

  • Why do you want to get involved in research?
  • What is it that made you want to join our research group?
  • How much time can you dedicate to research? (hours per week and number of semesters)

Step 6: Do research!

What if all goes well and you join a research group? Clear communication from the outset is important.

Research can be done as a volunteer, for course credit, or sometimes, for more advanced positions, for pay. Speak with your faculty supervisor about options.

Negotiate a plan/schedule with your faculty mentor. Keep your commitment. Ask, if anything is unclear.

Ask key questions like:

  • Is there any reading I should do to prepare?
  • Is there a weekly lab meeting I should plan to attend?
  • Who should I schedule my lab time with?
  • What other expectations do you have?
students in lab coats working

Do Summer Research 

Participating in research during the summer allows students to focus on their projects in a more intensive way that may not be possible during the academic year. UT Austin students are able to do research in labs on campus as well as through programs hosted by outside institutions. 

If you have questions about how to find a summer program or would like assistance crafting your application materials, make a consultation appointment with one of our student ambassadors or with Lynda Gonzales, Director of Student Programs.

Finding a Summer Research Option