<p>i was looking for opportunities to work in a lab (i'm an intending mcb major, and a sophomore this year). i found a research lab that i found interesting and want to work in, but how does one go about asking the professor if you can work in his/her lab? it seems a bit random to email them and ask "i am interested in your research. can we meet to discuss it?" (as the mcb website advises students to do.) is anyone here working in a lab, and what did you do to/how did you get your position? </p>
<p>I don’t think it’s random to ask via email. If that’s what is suggested, then it must be a pretty good way of going about it. Maybe find out when their office hours are, and just stop by to talk about it/ask if there are any open positions.</p>
<p>Make sure to read up on their research and some papers they recently published so you’re prepared when you go in.</p>
<p>If you don’t get responses from professors on campus, try CHORI - they take a lot of Berkeley students, and you can even get units from here… and UCSF, if you have time for transportation.</p>
<p>If you can wait, try the URAP program, deadlines are often within 2 weeks of beginning of each semester. I got my current position through URAP and will try using it to get a new position next semester if the email/ask approach doesn’t work.</p>