How to Contact Faculty about Volunteering in Lab
Step 1. Write out what your career goals are, current research interests, and availability. Consider if you have the time to dedicate to a lab through graduation outside of classes, and what amount of previous lab courses/skills you may have. Many faculty members are looking for students that are close to completing the general biology/ chemistry courses and PSY 220.
Step 2. Review the research opportunities page by clicking here. Identify if any research areas by BNS faculty are of interest to you. If your area of interest is not found within the Behavioral Neuroscience Program, then seek out faculty research in other departments at WWU, or create an independent research projects working with a faculty mentor.
Step 3. Seek out opportunities to learn more about what the experience of volunteering in a research lab is like. Speak with current lab students at campus hosted events about lab research, or through attending a Neuroscience Research Driven Students (NeRDS) Club meeting.
Step 4. If an application is available, follow the application procedure provided. If one is not provided, then email the faculty directly about opportunities to join their research lab.
Step 5. TIPS on filling out your application, or sending an email about undergraduate volunteer research lab opportunities.
- Collect background information about the lab’s research, recent publications, and write down questions. Consider looking up general key terms if you don’t understand them in advance.
- The email should be professional, concise, and include the following: introduce yourself, specify why your interested in their research, availability to volunteer in the lab, and interest in setting up a meeting to discuss potential opportunities. Make it easy for a meeting to be scheduled by providing specific days/times you are available.
- Optional to include in the first email, or send before the first meeting.
- Include your lab skills/previously completed courses
- Unofficial academic history
- Length of time till expected graduation
- Review and proofread the message or lab application before submitting.
Students are welcome to schedule an advising appointment to discuss reaching out to faculty about volunteer research opportunities.
Don’t give up! Faculty may not immediately respond to you about joining their lab. You may need to follow up after two weeks if you didn’t receive a response. You also may not receive a positive response and need to reach out to a different faculty member.
Additional Undergraduate Research Opportunities
If you have an independent research project idea, you can receive mentorship and advising from a faculty member. You would need to meet with the faculty member and ask if they would help mentor and advise you on the research project. The Office of Research and Sponsored (RSP) Programs provides funding and other resources to undergraduate research projects. Please visit the RSP website by clicking here.