<p>hi guys i am a junior transfering to ut in the college of natural science. I searched many web sites . I know of eureka and looked at hirealonghorn also, but didnt really come up with anything. Most the stuff i came up with is a position with a commitment of an entire year. I dont know if i wana devote a whole year. Do you guys know of any resarch jobs that are paid?? i dont care about how high the pay is just doing it to get some research experience under my belt while getting paid. Is there anything out there currently open?? most the places i contacted were full. :(</p>
<p>Sorry I don’t know the answer to OP’s question, but I have a semi-related question of my own. </p>
<p>Is it even customary for undergraduates to get paid for research during the school year? I’m not sure whether or not to bring up the topic in an interview for lab. Also, how many hours do people usually put in each week?</p>
<p>arfandada:
I can shed some light to you about research. First of all, don’t rely on Eureka, they have not been updated for a long time. So you better ask professors personally through email or meeting them during office hours if you really want to do research.
There is currently no list of research positions that would pay you. Some do and some just don’t. They will still give you compensation in other form such as academic credits, so don’t worry so much.
It’s true that research needs a lot of commitment. A year of commitment is common. Professors usually don’t really like those who come and go for only a semester, because they have to train you in their research. They’re not gonna spend a lot of time on teaching a person who will leave real soon. So if you want to just commit one semester, I think you’ll most likely be a test tube washer, and there will be no real research experience for you.</p>
<p>PsychicPanini:
Yes, it’s quite customary, although not all research positions are paid. There are other compensations just like what I’ve mentioned. The number of hours per week depends the research group and prof. For example, undergrads in my research group on average put in at least 10 hours/wk. I’m putting in 20 hrs/wk (just on paper; I have to put in more for some special weeks). But, from what I know, you’ll have to put in at least 10 hours/week in any research group to be doing something useful.</p>
<p>rocketman88 thanks so much for the reply…i just wanted to know is there any research that you know in paticular… or ur friends have told you about… i guess the commitment part seems logical and i dont mind doing about 10 hours a week… the thing is i am trying not to be late on this because most oppurtunities that come by are usually gone… and i dont know a thing about research because i am a transfer from a cc.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that not all professors solicit undergrads for open research positions. If there’s a professor you particularly want to work for, and you have a relevant coursework background for that research, it’s OK to simply send him/her an e-mail asking if there’s any open spots in the lab. </p>
<p>If you’re not interested in committing to a year of research while class is in session, another option is the NSF REU program: [nsf.gov</a> - Funding - Research Experiences for Undergraduates - US National Science Foundation (NSF)](<a href=“Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) | NSF - National Science Foundation”>http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5517&from=fund). The REU program lasts only over the summer, you work full time for a professor (albeit, generally at another university), and for an undergrad research position it’s decent money. I participated in this program when I was an undergrad and think it’s a great way to “test the waters” of research in your field. Acceptance to the program can be competitive.</p>
<p>arfandada, could you tell us your major? It would be easier to make concrete recommendations if we had some more info…</p>
<p>PsychicPanini, research should come with some sort of compensation, be it a partial tuition waiver, a stipend, or even class credit. Usually, undergrads get paid a monthly stipend; it is OK to ask about the compensation in your interview. Your workload in the lab will depend heavily on the PI, but expect at least 10 hr/wk as an absolute minimum.</p>
<p>thanks for the reply jr i am a premed majoring in nuerobiology… i am defenetly going to do a summer research program over the summer similar to that… but i also wanted something at my home instituition… and i dont know any professors there since i am a transfer</p>
<p>i’m sorry i don’t really know about the neurobiology department much.
but, keep knocking on someone’s door, you can be a little persistent too.
I recommend choosing a few 5-8 research groups that you wanna work in then emailing the professors. 2-3 at a time.
Wait whether there’s a reply, if not shoot another email after a week. Then, if still no reply, talk directly to the professors during office hours.
Just keep repeating this. I know it’s kind of frustrating.</p>
<p>It’s quite difficult to find research jobs that pay you from the start. It’s difficult enough trying to find a professor willing to take an undergrad in his or her lab. However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.</p>
<p>I emailed 3-4 professors, inquired about a research position, and asked if I can speak to them in person. I received one email saying that the lab doesn’t have a position available, two that never replied back, and one that said to check back in the spring semester for a position in the summer. I waited and got the position. I didn’t get paid until this summer, however. During the year, I got class credit (essentially a free 6-credit A) for doing research.</p>
<p>It might be difficult as a Junior, since most professors would want you in lab for more than a year. But, like I said, it’s not impossible. You can do it!</p>
<p>thanks bluefalcon245 for the reply I was looking into stuff like that where you take a class as research and you get class credit for it… May i ask which class you took… i dont mind not getting payed for research i rather have an A for research on my transcript… can u plz tell me more about some of the programs out there that you can get an A for doing research this would help a lot. i was looking at psy357 as an option but thats on a pass fail bases. i rather have an A</p>
<p>You could also try to do Bridging Disciplines if contacting profs doesn’t work out, since you have to do three research/internship things for that program.</p>
<p>I took BIO 377. Chemistry and Biochemistry have a similar option (but for Chem and Biochem majors). On top of that, you can also do a 6 hour honors thesis course (3.5 biology GPA, contact honors thesis adviser – Buskirk for MGM, Lloyd for ICMB, and one more person). This is typically done your last semester or two and would require a completion of a thesis in science. This would also mean that you would graduate with a special departmental honors in Biology – [Departmental</a> Honors](<a href=“http://cns.utexas.edu/honors-scholarships/departmental-honors]Departmental”>http://cns.utexas.edu/honors-scholarships/departmental-honors)</p>