Get Experience!
Finding a Research Position at Boise State
Working in a research lab as an undergraduate will create a multitude of opportunities. Research experience gives you a significant advantage and allows you to do the following:
Apply your classroom learning to real-world materials problems
Develop hands-on skills with cutting-edge research tools
Work closely with other undergraduates, as well as graduate students and faculty members
Gain valuable experience that will position you well for your future endeavors
Find a Research Position
Update or create your resume.
Learn more about the research in the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering.
Identify research areas that interest you.
Contact researchers working in your areas of interest.
Introduce yourself over email.
Ask about any job openings for undergraduate students in their research group.
Important Tips
Be professional! Proofread your work and use a professional tone when communicating with potential research advisors.
Don’t give up! There’s no set schedule for finding a position; a faculty member might not have any openings right now, but something may become available in a few months.
Think broadly! Materials science is inherently interdisciplinary. You might also look for research positions in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or Electrical Engineering.
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
What is it? The NSF Division of Materials Research (DMR) supports REU Sites that focus on research in materials science and related areas, including condensed matter physics, materials chemistry and physics, and materials engineering. These summer positions come with travel money and a stipend. They are great opportunities to get involved with research. The list of current REU sites in materials can be found here.
Tips for Finding an Internship
Watch for emails from Leandra Abarusa and Jessica Economy advertising open positions
Attend the Boise State Career Fair
CheckHandshake for open positions
Join the Boise State MSE group on LinkedIn to learn about opportunities
Scholarships
Boise State Scholarships
The Boise State Financial Aid office is the first place to start in your search for general and engineering-specific scholarships. Students apply for all scholarships online. Each scholarship may have a different application deadline and different eligibility requirements so make sure you read the details closely.
Make sure to complete the Boise State scholarship application every year!
External Scholarships
There are many scholarship opportunities offered by materials science and engineering professional societies and organizations that are related specifically to materials research. Join the MSE Club to learn more
MSE Club
The MSE Club is a great way to get involved in the major, learn about potential research positions, meet your classmates, and among other things. The MSE Club is the local chapter of Material Advantage, which is a student membership for the 4 largest professional societies in the field: American Ceramic Society (ACerS), ASM International, American Institute for Steel Technology (AIST), and The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS). Membership is these organizations through Material Advantage provides eligibility for many scholarships, internships, conference attendance, and networking opportunities.