FINDING A LAB SUPPORT GROUP

If you need more involved support with the finding a lab process, then look no further than our Finding a Lab Support Group!

Entering a lab is essential to beginning research in a lab-based discipline. However, the self-driven process of searching for and communicating with labs can be tricky for students tackling it for the first time. Building off of our weekly Finding a Research Mentor workshops, the Finding a Lab Support Group aims to provide you with a supportive community of students all currently navigating their own lab search process.

Over the course of 4 weeks, you will participate in hour long sessions where you work towards finding and securing a lab position. You will be encouraged to work at your own pace and learn best practices to aid you no matter where you are in your journey. Whether you simply need guidance on crafting emails to send to your list of labs or you’re new to the entire search process, you will have a balance of freedom and structure to help keep you on track to get into a lab! The Support Group focuses on the following competencies:

  • FINDING LABS through exploring the appropriate websites & databases
  • CONTACTING LABS through writing and sending emails that effectively capture your interest in their work.
  • COMMUNICATING WITH LABS by asking the right questions and adeptly responding to their inquiries.
  • DECIDING BETWEEN LABS by developing an understanding of your goals and needs for a lab-environment.
  • CONVEYING INTENT TO LABS by proactively articulating opportunities that facilitate your continued engagement with the lab.

To be clear, the Finding a Lab Support group can not offer placement in a lab. Its purpose is to offer support and resources to aid you on your own lab search journey. If you successfully secure a lab position, you may benefit from our Winter Research Bootcamp: SURG Proposal Writing running in winter quarter which helps students navigate lab culture as well as develop an independent research project for the summer.

FaLSG is open to any undergraduate interested in doing lab-based science research in all fields. Only registered students will be allowed to attend session. Capacity is limited at 18 students. Attendance at all 4 sessions is mandatory. Winter Quarter FaLSG schedule is as follows:

  • Weekly IN PERSON session on Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30pm CST
  • Runs from January 7th – January 28th

If you cannot guarantee that your schedule aligns with these expectations, please consider other resources for finding a lab!

The registration form is closed.

If the registration form is not appearing below, please navigate to it through this URL linked here.

If you are already in a lab and considering independent summer research, you should register for the lab-based track of our Winter Bootcamp instead!

I registered – what happens next?

Thank you for registering. Please keep an eye out for future correspondence confirming your spot as well as being added to the formal Canvas page. If the workshop is at capacity, you will be automatically added to the waitlist and offered a spot when if it becomes available. If you are no longer able to participate, please contact our Education Program Manager immediately so we can prioritize remaining students on the waitlist.

I was unable to make it off the waitlist – what should I do?

You absolutely can still receive support for finding a lab! You can attend any of our info sessions and/or schedule an Advising Appointment with our Advisors.