Asking professors for a volunteer position at a research lab

mademoiselle2308
Mon, 11 Sep 2017 02:56:00 +0000

I don’t think it would hurt to ask! I’d recommend sending a brief email. Professors are very busy and get so many emails every day. They are much more likely to read your email if it is short and sweet. Make sure you email professors whose research is interesting to you and show that you’ve done some research on them (albeit in a succinct manner).

Subject: Undergraduate Research

Dear [Professor X],

I am a currently a [sophomore] at [California Community College] and am very interested in doing research in psychology. I am particularly interested in your project on [how the microbiome is linked to schizophrenia] published [this year] in [the Journal of Psychology]. Will you have openings in your lab for undergraduate researchers this coming spring?

Please feel free to contact me via this email or by phone at [1-234-5678-9101].

Thank you for your time,
[scaredoutofmymind]

I can’t emphasize enough: KEEP IT SHORT! If the professor doesn’t get back to you, don’t take it personally. They are extremely busy.

Good luck!