So you want to get involved with undergraduate research at mcgill university but aren't quite sure where to start
Getting involved in undergraduate research can be intimidating
So i've teamed up with my friends from the mcgill scientific writing initiative to walk you through this process
first i'll introduce you to the co-founders of the mcgill scientific writing initiative marina and
They have published papers in peer-reviewed journals. So they're extremely knowledgeable in research
Personally i've been involved in research as an undergraduate research assistant and as an honor student for the past two years
Together we'll cover how to get involved in research where to find professors how to contact them and what to expect of an interview
Before we dive in please consider to subscribe to I wish I knew for more educational and wellness related content
The first step in finding a research position is figuring out which research topics you're interested in
Some examples of scientific research interests are synaptic plasticity
geological time small molecule synthesis and bioinformatics
Think about a class or topic which has been your favorite to learn about and read some research
Or literature to see what researchers are currently investigating in this field
The next step is to find professors that study these topics at mcgill
In order to do this visit faculty websites to see a list of professors and what their research is for example here
We're on my faculty's page the physiology professor directory
You can scroll through and read a bit about each professor's research and narrow down which profs you're interested in working with
However, don't be afraid to branch out beyond your own department many profs have interdisciplinary research
So it's important not to limit yourself to a department or program
You can also find research positions on facebook a great page that we use is jobs and internships
Which is a mcgill affiliated facebook page
Attending academic events is another great way to find open research positions
Attend programs like soup and science department wine and cheeses and more to meet professors discuss research in secure positions
Lastly the mcgill student research initiative also known as sri operates a database with open research positions across campus
We'll link their website in the description box below
Now that you've figured out what your research interest is you might be wondering what's the best time to
Apply now this varies greatly across different programs and departments
I personally found my research position in the department of psychiatry in september
But many students apply at the end of the term for positions starting the following
Semester it never hurts to send an email about a research position early
They might just tell you to reapply later on when they're accepting students
Be sure to check out the log website if there is one
As this is often where you'll find information about if and when a professor is recruiting students
And what the best way to contact them is?
Along the same vein attaching your cv and transcript is a beneficial way to shorten the length of your email
This way if professors are interested. They can view the email attachments for more information
Additionally make it clear what you're looking for
Are you looking to pursue an honors project research course volunteer experience?
Whatever you choose be sure to specify it in your communications with the professor
Before sending out an email being knowledgeable about what a professor studies is really beneficial
Since professors are quite busy. You want to stand out from the crowd by showing that you've done your research about what they're studying
Equally as important you should read their research to ask yourself
If this is something that you are interested in working on for a long period of time
Research positions at mcgill usually last between three months to one year long
Once you've determined that their research interests align with yours you want to make sure that you convey that in your email
Include a few sentences about why you're interested in their field of study or a paper they published
Here are some other tips about emailing profs
Use your mcgill email to avoid ending up in their spam folder
Additionally feel free to follow up if you haven't received a response usually after a week or two
No response doesn't necessarily mean a rejection
Congrats the professor replied now your feelings of excitement might soon turn to nervousness as you read that they want to meet for an interview
Don't fret here will outline exactly what you should expect from a research assistantship
Interview usually an interview with a professor consists of talking about their research discussing your own goals and expectations
And getting to know each other in general
Come prepared with questions about their research and their papers
In order to do this read a few of their recent papers and jot down any questions or comments that come to mind
Asking questions will allow you to show your passion and interest in the subject area
Here are some sample questions that you might want to ask a professor or a graduate student
What are some projects that you're currently working on?
What are your expectations for this position?
What's the team environment like?
Are there any opportunities for growth within this position?
And what are some lab skills that I should have or will be learning?
Sometimes the professor will have you meet with their phd or master's student instead the same rules apply
Read about the research of the principal investigator, but also look into the specific research interests of the graduate student that you're meeting with
Often you can find this information on the lab website
Most of the time you'll be closely working with this graduate student instead of with the professor directly
And so it's especially important that your research interests align with theirs
You might want to ask them about what project they're currently working on and how their experience in the lab has been like so far
While it's important to try and be as prepared as possible when coming into this interview
You definitely aren't expected to know everything especially since most of you watching. This video will be undergraduate students
And this might be your first research position that you're trying to land
Instead try to show that you're willing to learn in our experience if the professor offers you an interview
It's already a promising sign
Good luck
In summary we discussed points on how to get involved in undergraduate research as a research assistant at mogill university
More specifically we explained where to find professors how to contact them and what to expect in an interview
In particular if you're a mcgill university student
Check out the mcgill scientific writing initiative to continue your journey in research as an undergrad student
Maureen joyce have headed a wonderful platform and encourage you to check out their resource, please subscribe
Like and comment your questions in the comment box below. Thank you for watching and see you in the next video
