Tips for getting in to research

Interested in getting involved in research and don't know where to start?

As a student it can be really daunting to find research positions and then apply for them, so here are some of our team's tips to share with you.

Please note that these are our opinions and are not necessarily true for every application or every group. If in doubt, talk to someone already in the area you are applying to and find out how they got there and what they would recommend!

Undergraduate Opportunities:

Start by thinking about why you want to do research

As with anything you apply to, think about:

Why are you interested in that topic?
What is drawing you to want to work there?
What do you think you might be able to offer?

You don't need to have exact knowledge or have taken courses in those topics, but you should have a sense of what you're getting yourself into.

For example, if you're applying to a physics theory group but hate doing derivations, maybe it isn't going to be for you. Equally, if you think fusion sounds exciting but didn't realise a lot of it is based on electromagnetism, which is your least favourite thing in the world, maybe that's something to reconsider.

Show curiosity about the group

When you apply, we want to see that you've explored the topic a little as well. Show some curiosity about the group or supervisor's area of expertise.

Reading papers or looking through the group's work helps you:

articulate why you like the topic,
explain what interests you about it,
and check with yourself that you really are excited about that area rather than just choosing something that appears cool from the outside.

Think about the skills you already have

Look at the advert for the position or ask the group what sort of skills they are looking for.

Ask yourself questions like:

Is the work computational, experimental, or theory-based?
Do I have coding or data analysis experience, even from classes?
What are my communication skills like?
Do I enjoy digging into unknown concepts and trying to solve problems?
Can I give examples of times I've done something similar?

When you apply, tell them about these skills, and highlight them in your resume so the hiring managers can quickly see your relevant experience.

You don't need prior research experience (everyone has to start somewhere!)

Even if you haven't had formal research experience before, you can still demonstrate genuine interest.

Examples include:

extending a class project that intrigued you,
building equipment through a club or society,
designing components,
analysing data,
or pursuing your own small projects.

Many of these experiences demonstrate the same curiosity and problem-solving skills that research requires.

You don't need to meet every requirement.

Job descriptions can sometimes look intimidating, particularly if you haven't done research before. Don't assume that you need to have every skill listed. If you are interested in the work and have some of the relevant background, it can still be worth applying. Research is also where you are going to learn many of these skills!

Don't be discouraged by rejection.

Research groups often have a limited number of positions, and sometimes the decision comes down to things that have nothing to do with how good you are as a student. A professor may only have funding for one student, or may be looking for a particular skill set for a specific project. Apply to multiple opportunities and don't take one rejection as a judgement on your ability. Remember we have all experienced rejections, it is just that the successes are more apparent to everyone from the outside.

Don't wait until the last minute.

Research groups often plan projects and funding months in advance. If you're interested in working with a group over the summer, start looking and reaching out well before the summer begins. The same applies to graduate positions—don't be afraid to start conversations early.

Is research right for you?

In research, the most important thing is to be engaged and excited by what you're working on, and inquisitive enough to learn about unexplored problems where someone won't necessarily have an answer. You can take the initiative to explore those questions yourself.

Research isn't for everyone, and that's completely okay. Sometimes you'll discover that a topic isn't what you expected, and that's useful information too.

Remember that research is about more than the science itself. Things like:

the people you work with,
your supervisor's mentoring style,
and where you'll be living

can make a huge difference to your experience. Research isn't easy. You'll have days where nothing seems to work, and often it's the people around you who help you get through those periods.

And don't be afraid to change groups or topics if you realise it isn't what you expected. Finding the right fit is important.

Graduate Opportunities:

Many of the same ideas for undergraduate research also apply to graduate positions, but here are some additional tips.

Finding opportunities:

Work out which research topics genuinely interest you.
Speak to professors at your university or contacts you've made through internships.
Ask for recommendations of people to reach out to.

Many graduate opportunities begin through conversations rather than advertised positions.

Contact potential supervisors

Reach out to PIs whose groups you'd like to work in and ask whether they'll be looking for new graduate students.

When you email them:

attach your resume or transcript,
briefly (a few sentences at most) explain why you want to work in their group,
and, if possible, reference a recent paper you've read from their group.

Reading the paper isn't just helpful for the email—it also helps you decide whether you're actually interested in their work.

Visit before deciding

If you're lucky enough to receive an offer, visit if possible.

You're potentially choosing where you'll spend the next five or more years, so make sure it's somewhere you can see yourself living.

While you're there:

explore the department,
meet the research group,
talk to current students,
and ask honest questions about their experience, how long students typically take to graduate etc.

You'll usually get a good sense of whether it's the right fit.

Think about supervision

Talk with the supervisor about how they mentor students.

Ask yourself: