<p>Hello guys, </p>
<p>I'm a rising sophomore, so I'm a little new as to protocol when asking professors if they are taking research assistants at their labs. I have some experience in cancer research and I have found a PI at my school whose lab is doing something similar. I have not yet taken a class in his department, however. </p>
<p>Can I just email him and ask him if he has an opening where I could work in his lab, as a research assistant? Should I mention my past experience in the email - would that help? I have a first-author publication coming up, and I'm not sure how to bring that up without seeming full of myself or rude. </p>
<p>I really want to get started in lab work again, so any help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>93tiger16 - My son obtained his research experience by emailing a professor and asking her if he could tour her lab as he was very interested in her research. She accepted and he made sure to talk about skills he had that may fit in and by the end of the tour he had a position. He has been there for 3 years and she has become a wonderful mentor to him.</p>
<p>Reach out via email or after class, but make sure you do your homework first and have an idea of what they are working on and how you fit in to the goals of the lab.</p>
<p>Also, recognize what your school’s hiring process is. At some schools, even for no pay positions, you must formally apply the spring before for the following year.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks! I’ll definitely email the PI. I don’t think there’s any sort of application policy?</p>
<p>I’ve known a professor or two that require prospective students to write a brief essay/research proposal in order to get a spot in their lab. I think it’s a way for them to filter out the students that are just doing it because they feel they’re supposed to and those that are actually interested.</p>
<p>They’re mostly just interested in seeing if you won’t be too much of a hindrance in the lab, and you’ll stick around long enough to maybe be worth training.</p>
<p>
That’s why I’m trying to figure out how to incorporate having done a past project in a cancer lab into my email and not sounding rude or arrogant. I have at least some experience with the techniques. I also intend to say that I am willing to commit two or three years to the lab if they have a spot.</p>
<p>bump… anyone else?</p>
<p>I believe you are over thinking it. You may start by telling them that you are interested in their work, and why (does it relate to your career goals?). Briefly state that you’ve worked in a lab conducting similar research previously and that you were interested in working in their lab should they have positions available. Then ask if they would be available to further discuss the opportunity with you during office hours. </p>
<p>You can certainly tailor that and make it sound more professional, but the idea is that mentioning you have previous experience will help you - going on and on about it won’t, but a brief mention to introduce what you bring to the table is perfectly acceptable. Keep the e-mail short, as they will want to meet you in person to further discuss the opportunity anyway if they have an opening. As for a formal application, if they have an opening and require an application, they will likely point you in the right direction.</p>
<p>Thank you, Nova. I will definitely take your suggestions into consideration when I write the email.</p>