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Finding research opportunities at Brown:
Finding research opportunities at Brown:
Doing research in a lab is one of the most informative experiences a Brown student can have. It is also a very divisive profession, and is not for everyone. But whether you love it or hate it, research is an integral part of science at large, and the cognitive neuroscience and cognitive science concentrations are specifically aimed to prepare you for work in research (or any discipline). Freaking out about finding work in a lab? Don’t worry. The Cog DUG’s got you covered on a few basic steps towards securing a position in a lab you love:
Doing research in a lab is one of the most informative experiences a Brown student can have. It is also a very divisive profession, and is not for everyone. But whether you love it or hate it, research is an integral part of science at large, and the cognitive neuroscience and cognitive science concentrations are specifically aimed to prepare you for work in research (or any discipline). Freaking out about finding work in a lab? Don’t worry. The Cog DUG’s got you covered on a few basic steps towards securing a position in a lab you love:
1. Determine what you’re interested in! This may seem obvious, but it’s really crucial to have an idea of what you want to study before you agree to work in a lab. Research is incredibly time-intensive and often very stressful, so you want to be certain you’re interested in what you’re going to be doing. This may be clinical work, behavioral studies in a specific area of cognitive science, or investigations using new or innovative technology, like fMRI. Most research focuses on one specific question. Before you sell your soul to a lab (just kidding - sort of), make sure you care what the answer to that question is.
1. Determine what you’re interested in! This may seem obvious, but it’s really crucial to have an idea of what you want to study before you agree to work in a lab. Research is incredibly time-intensive and often very stressful, so you want to be certain you’re interested in what you’re going to be doing. This may be clinical work, behavioral studies in a specific area of cognitive science, or investigations using new or innovative technology, like fMRI. Most research focuses on one specific question. Before you sell your soul to a lab (just kidding - sort of), make sure you care what the answer to that question is.
2. Determine who is working on your topic of interest. For starters, check out this list of CLPS Faculty Research Interests as well as an online version of the same thing. BURO (BioMed Undergraduate Research Opportunities) is another place to find biology-related research opportunities. You can also start by reaching out to your professors. When you've identified a potential lab, make sure you communicate your enthusiasm, interest, and commitment to their project. It helps if you’ve read one or two of their papers, which is also the best way to determine the quality (and quantity) of their work.
2. Determine who is working on your topic of interest. For starters, check out this list of CLPS Faculty Research Interests as well as an online version of the same thing. BURO (BioMed Undergraduate Research Opportunities) is another place to find biology-related research opportunities. You can also start by reaching out to your professors. When you've identified a potential lab, make sure you communicate your enthusiasm, interest, and commitment to their project. It helps if you’ve read one or two of their papers, which is also the best way to determine the quality (and quantity) of their work.
3. Talk to the principal investigator (PI). Ah, the most nerve-wracking part of finding research. Before the job is yours, you’re going to have to ask for it. Talking to professors can be stressful, so try sending an email.
3. Talk to the principal investigator (PI). Ah, the most nerve-wracking part of finding research. Before the job is yours, you’re going to have to ask for it. Talking to professors can be stressful, so try sending an email.
Email Template
Email Template
Here is an email template that you can modify to suit your style if you plan on reaching out to a PI:
Here is an email template that you can modify to suit your style if you plan on reaching out to a PI:
“Professor _____ -
“Professor _____ -
My name is _______ and I’m a _(Class year)_ here at Brown, concentrating in _______.* I am interested in the study of _(Discipline)_ and really enjoyed your 2008 paper on ______. I would love to work as a research assistant in your lab, and was wondering if I could discuss the possibility with you. Do you have time this upcoming week to meet with me?
My name is _______ and I’m a _(Class year)_ here at Brown, concentrating in _______.* I am interested in the study of _(Discipline)_ and really enjoyed your 2008 paper on ______. I would love to work as a research assistant in your lab, and was wondering if I could discuss the possibility with you. Do you have time this upcoming week to meet with me?
Thank you,
Thank you,
___________”
___________”
** If email isn’t your thing, approach them after class, or find out when their office hours are and go to talk to them. Unless your professor is a rock star, they’re probably pretty bored during office hours, anyway. It’s a low pressure environment to discuss your interests and how you could fit into their lab. Make sure you bring a resume if they have requested one, along with your best smile and a nice pair of pants (wear one, I mean). Some labs are more competitive to get into, so you may need to go through a more formal process to apply. Just remember that if you don’t get into your first choice, you can wait a little longer, or find another lab! Brown is a huge research university, so there is bound to be an opening for you somewhere.
** If email isn’t your thing, approach them after class, or find out when their office hours are and go to talk to them. Unless your professor is a rock star, they’re probably pretty bored during office hours, anyway. It’s a low pressure environment to discuss your interests and how you could fit into their lab. Make sure you bring a resume if they have requested one, along with your best smile and a nice pair of pants (wear one, I mean). Some labs are more competitive to get into, so you may need to go through a more formal process to apply. Just remember that if you don’t get into your first choice, you can wait a little longer, or find another lab! Brown is a huge research university, so there is bound to be an opening for you somewhere.
****Last but not least: DON’T STRESS! It’s fine if you have zero research experience - professors are aware that that’s often the case, and they really don’t care. It’s also perfectly okay to not know whether you want to do research, or not be ready to decide what you want to focus on. If you want to write an honors thesis, you don’t have to join a lab until the second semester of your junior year (or even the summer before your senior year)! But not everyone writes a thesis, and not everyone is interested in doing research. As I said before, research is not for everyone. So only do it if it’s something you really want to do - do not join a lab only because you feel you have to.
****Last but not least: DON’T STRESS! It’s fine if you have zero research experience - professors are aware that that’s often the case, and they really don’t care. It’s also perfectly okay to not know whether you want to do research, or not be ready to decide what you want to focus on. If you want to write an honors thesis, you don’t have to join a lab until the second semester of your junior year (or even the summer before your senior year)! But not everyone writes a thesis, and not everyone is interested in doing research. As I said before, research is not for everyone. So only do it if it’s something you really want to do - do not join a lab only because you feel you have to.
Good luck!
Good luck!
What's an UTRA?
What's an UTRA?
An UTRA, or Undergraduate Teaching and Research Award, is a grant that is awarded to undergraduates who are pursuing research or curriculum development initiatives with a Brown faculty member. Students typically apply for the summer UTRA's for research, and the grant essentially pays for living expenses over the summer, but some opportunities are made available for semester UTRA's as well.
An UTRA, or Undergraduate Teaching and Research Award, is a grant that is awarded to undergraduates who are pursuing research or curriculum development initiatives with a Brown faculty member. Students typically apply for the summer UTRA's for research, and the grant essentially pays for living expenses over the summer, but some opportunities are made available for semester UTRA's as well.
An UTRA or a LINK can only be granted once during your undergraduate career.
An UTRA or a LINK can only be granted once during your undergraduate career.
What's a LINK award?
What's a LINK award?
A LINK award, or Linking Internships and Knowledge award, is a grant that is awarded to undergraduates who are pursuing a low-paid or unpaid internship over the summer. Students may use the LINK award to conduct research or do other internships in labs or companies that would otherwise not give students any compensation.
A LINK award, or Linking Internships and Knowledge award, is a grant that is awarded to undergraduates who are pursuing a low-paid or unpaid internship over the summer. Students may use the LINK award to conduct research or do other internships in labs or companies that would otherwise not give students any compensation.
An UTRA or a LINK can only be granted once during your undergraduate career.
An UTRA or a LINK can only be granted once during your undergraduate career.
What's a SEW award?
What's a SEW award?
If you have a financial aid package that includes a summer earnings expectation, then if you receive a summer UTRA or summer LINK award, then you will be given an additional amount of money added to your financial aid package to cover your summer earnings expectation, so you won't have to worry about making up the summer earnings over the course of your internship/research. For more information, check out this page!
If you have a financial aid package that includes a summer earnings expectation, then if you receive a summer UTRA or summer LINK award, then you will be given an additional amount of money added to your financial aid package to cover your summer earnings expectation, so you won't have to worry about making up the summer earnings over the course of your internship/research. For more information, check out this page!
Summer research opportunities elsewhere:
Summer research opportunities elsewhere:
There are endless opportunities for Brown students in Providence and at other institutions. Don’t be afraid to apply to work at Butler or Rhode Island Hospital, if you’re more clinically-inclined.
There are endless opportunities for Brown students in Providence and at other institutions. Don’t be afraid to apply to work at Butler or Rhode Island Hospital, if you’re more clinically-inclined.
Many students seek out the opportunity to conduct research in a lab elsewhere. There are pros and cons to conducting summer research at other institutions over summers.
Many students seek out the opportunity to conduct research in a lab elsewhere. There are pros and cons to conducting summer research at other institutions over summers.
- Pros: Many of these programs will supplement your day-to-day schedule research with professional seminars and classes about applying to graduate school in the psychological sciences and the art of research. You will present your research in a symposium-like format (fantastic to brag about), meet other like-minded students from across the United States, and establish bonds with faculty members in an entirely new professional setting, extending your knowledge of leaders in your field. Many of these programs also prioritize people of underrepresented identities, so if you identify as such, you would be learning alongside a cohort of people who share similar experiences, often with seminars that specifically deal with being underrepresented in the sciences. Additionally, many of these programs are very well-funded and may even provide housing for you! Even if a program does not provide compensation, applying for a LINK award (see above) can help offset living expenses over the summer.
- Cons: These summer opportunities are relatively constricted in that once you leave the host institution and return to Brown, you will still need to find a faculty sponsor in order to continue your own research in a Brown University lab, should you choose to further your interest in research. Many students find, however, that conducting research in a lab at Brown and additionally finding a summer research internship elsewhere is particularly interesting and allows students to gain experience and expand the breadth of their knowledge of the cognitive sciences.
How can I find research opportunities elsewhere?
How can I find research opportunities elsewhere?
If you come across a research opportunity elsewhere that is unpaid, then we would definitely suggest that you apply for the LINK award to help pay for the living expense over the summer.
If you come across a research opportunity elsewhere that is unpaid, then we would definitely suggest that you apply for the LINK award to help pay for the living expense over the summer.
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