Schedule a Consult with the Office of Experiential Learning
The Experiential Learning Ambassadors are available to meet with students interested in finding a research placement. CNS undergraduates can make an appointment with our team through 12twenty@Texas by filtering by the “Research Opportunities Advising” appointment type. You can also email our team at cns.exl@austin.utexas.edu.
Steps to Joining a Research Lab at UT
Step 1: Explore and identify your interests
Ask yourself ...
- What research topics 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?
- Do you want a wet lab, dry lab, or field research experience?
Step 2: Come up with a list of 8-10 faculty members who are doing research that is a good fit for your interests.
Most CNS faculty don’t post or promote opportunities in their lab, but will choose undergraduates to join their lab from their classes or who contact them by email. To create your list of faculty you are interested in working with, you should:
- Browse departmental faculty profiles
- Read the CNS Experiential Learning Office’s weekly newsletter for opportunities
- Use your network – speak with faculty members/instructors, TAs, your peers, advisors, etc.
- Check out EUREKA! - UT Austin’s searchable database supporting undergraduate research
- Don’t forget to explore faculty outside your major!
Step 3: Prepare your emails and contact faculty members
Before contacting your list of faculty from step 2, read each professor’s profile on the UT website as well as their lab website to learn more about their research. There should be a link to the lab website from the faculty profile. Take a few notes on what excites you about the lab’s research and techniques.
Next, craft your emails to each faculty. Make sure you customize your emails for each professor and lab. Not sure what to include in the email to each faculty member? Check out our guide to emailing professors.
If you don’t hear back from a professor, wait 2 weeks and then send a follow-up email.
Step 4: Meet with a faculty member
Hopefully at least a couple faculty members will email you back to set up a meeting with you to discuss a possible research position.
You should be prepared 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)
Make sure you prepare to ask them some questions well!
Step 5: 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 or if you need to make changes to your schedule.
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?
Summer Research Options & Programs
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 can do research informally in labs on campus as well as through formal programs hosted by outside institutions all over the US and the world.
If you have questions about how to find a summer program or would like assistance crafting your application materials, make a consultation appointment in 12twenty@Texas with one of our Experiential Learning Ambassadors.
Read the CNS Experiential Learning Office’s weekly newsletter to receive postings and information about research opportunities in the sciences.
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Summer Research Options
Search databases and listings for research opportunities that take place off-campus/outside UT-Austin.
These links take you to lists of formal summer research programs that are hosted at institutions across the country. These programs require an application, and if selected, typically offer stipends for participation but may differ on other accommodations (such as housing assistance and travel).
- National Science Foundation’s database of Research Experience for Undergraduates
- National Science Foundation’s Summer Scholars Internship Program
- Science.gov’s databases of fellowships/internships
- Pathways to Science’s multidisciplinary summer undergraduate research programs & fellowships
- Council on Undergraduate Research program postings
Search professional society resources
- American Astronomical Society’s internships and summer jobs
- American Chemical Society (ACS) Experiential Programs in Chemistry
- American Society for Nutrition Job Board
- American Mathematical Society summer programs
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology summer research programs
- American Physical Society internships and fellowships
- Association of American Medical Colleges summer undergraduate research programs
Find government, nonprofit & industry internships that incorporate research.
- Search for research internships on 12twenty@Texas
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Summer Research Programs at UT
Explore summer research programs at UT.
Participation may be limited to non-UT students in some cases; read each announcement for details.
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Research Experiences Abroad
Learn more about research abroad resources and programs. Don’t forget to make an appointment with our team to plan ahead for any international experiences!
Research Resources
- Our Guide to Emailing Professors will support you in contacting professors
- CNS Career Services has career coaches who can help you translate your research experiences into other opportunities. They can also help you plan for graduate school, review your resume, and prep for interviews.
- CNS Abroad can help you prepare to study abroad as well as incorporate research or an internship into your international experience.
- CNS Funding Resources for funding your research and experiential learning opportunities
- 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 UT Austin’s database where professors can post research projects that need undergraduate research assistants.
- University Writing Center has writing consultants who can help you prepare your personal statements and review proposals.
Presenting Your Research
Attending national and international conferences is an important activity for undergraduate researchers. At conferences, you can meet scientists in your field, hear about new research and present your own work.
Don’t forget to present your latest research project at UT’s own Technology & Science Undergraduate Research Forum every April.
Sometimes you can find partial funding to support your travel to present at a conference. Below are tips and campus resources for securing funding.
Tips & Resources
- Check to see if the conference you are attending offers travel grants for student presenters. Often the organization hosting the event has funds for this purpose, but it is very important to apply early!
- FRI Students: Ask you research supervisor if they have funds or know of funds that are available to support student travel to conferences.
- Check out campus resources for research travel, including the Scholarship for Research or Conference Travel through the University’s Office of Undergraduate Research.