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<p>It depends on the location and kind of position you’re looking for.</p>
<p>Some types of lab positions (particularly those in hospital wet labs) will require state and/or national licenses. Research asst type positions thru universities or private laboratories most likely will not.</p>
<p>There is a legal requirement that all jobs must be publicly posted for a minimum period (I believe it is at least 1 week) before they can be filled.</p>
<p>At D2’s school, the department maintained a list of RA-types job postings which were updated weekly. These were principally at other university and med school research labs.</p>
<p>D2 was also kept apprised of potential jobs by the PI of her undergrad research lab and the dept chair (with whom she was taking a class) both of whom who knew she was looking for a permanent full time position. Most of the positions they told her about were mentioned in advance of the actual job posting appearing. D2 still had to wait for the job opening to be posted to apply.</p>
<p>One of the profs in D2’s department was relocating to another medical school at the end of the school term and offered D2 a job as his research lab coordinator (basically head RA). He knew she was graduating and was looking for a permanent job. (D2 didn’t tell him; the dept chair did.)</p>
<p>In the end D2 found her current job (at a Top 10 med school), by sending out individually tailored cold inquiry emails along with her CV to research groups working in her areas of interest at this particular school. (She had personal reason for wanting to be at this school.) She asked if they anticipated any job openings and, if not, could the recipient suggest any research groups that might have openings. Several of her original inquiries (she sent out around 15) were fowarded to other PIs. Two of the forwarded inquiries resulted in interviews. And one of those interviews became a verbal job offer. (D2 still had to wait for the position to be publicly posted and apply through the university’s employment office. All legal formalities still had to be oserved.)</p>
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<p>The best way to ensure you have support in seeking position is to speak with any of the professors you have a cordial relationship with and let them know you are looking for research lab job. Respectfully ask if they would keep you in the loop about any opening they may hear about. Check back with them periodically. Once they’ve passed on any information they have–it’s up to you to follow through on it. The profs cannot ‘get’ you the job. You have do that yourself.</p>
<p>You should also check with your school’s Career Center and your major department office since they will also maintain a list of job postings. </p>
<p>I would also suggest that you make a list of potential places (universities, hospitals and private research labs) you’d like to work and start routinely checking their job postings to see if any positions open up. You could even start sending out inquiry emails. (Be sure you’ve done your research first. Be able to speak about how your skills and interests would fit into their program.)</p>
<p>RA positions are quite competitive. (At D2’s undergrad lab, her PI received over 45 resumes for one research coordinator position.) Cast a wide net. Polish your resume, highlighting any unique and relevant lab or other skills you have. Learn to write a good letter of inquiry. And network. Network. Network.</p>