<p>If I am looking for a long term research opportunity (position), then should I look into the URAP programs or find faculty members to assist with their research? Also, what is the best way to find a lab position? How do you know if you will work with the professor or with a graduate student? Is it the best to work with a professor? Which opportunities give the best experience? Any input will be appreciated.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Long term, you should definitely look into individual professors. URAP is pretty limited and you may not find a professor working on your particular interests. </p>
<p>Unless the faculty member just started out and has almost no staff, you’ll be working with a graduate student or postdoc. You should find a good fit in this mentor, since he/she will be responsible for the brunt of your training and mentorship, as well as your rec letter (eventually signed by the PI). </p>
<p>If you are looking at the sciences, do a pubmed search of the PI’s name to get a sense of what the lab has been working on recently. Once you decide to approach, explicitly demonstrate that you’ve read their papers and more likely than not, they’d be more receptive to taking you on.</p>
<p>^^^thanks for the input. I was also wondering whether the fact that they are PIs or Grad Students will affect the importance of the rec letter…</p>