When I was researching UChicago during my college search, one thing I heard a lot was that “there are more research positions on campus than there are people willing to fill them.” I was always curious if this was just a marketing tactic…were there really that many open positions at the university? How could that be so?
Coming to UChicago I learned a couple things. First, lots of grad students and professors appreciate having undergrads help them with their work, so it’s true that you can always find open research positions! Secondly, it’s also possible to make money while working in research, whether that’s through your lab, UChicago’s Metcalf Grants, or outside grants.
I decided to get involved in research during my second year of college. As a Molecular Engineering major, I knew that I wanted to join a Molecular Engineering lab. Here’s what I did to make that happen!
- I met with our Molecular Engineering adviser, Mark Stoykavich. Each UChicago student has a general academic adviser, but each major also has its own advisers who help students pick classes and plan for their future careers. After I met with Mark to discuss elective possibilities, I also mentioned to him that I wanted to get involved in research. I told him I was interested in the area of materials science, specifically energy and water. He gave me the name of a few professors who were involved in exciting research in these fields.
- I looked into the Molecular Engineering website on my own and read about the many engineering labs on our campus. I had no idea that there were so many people doing research on so many fascinating things! It was difficult, but I narrowed my list of professors I wanted to work with down to four.
- I cold emailed the four professors I had chosen. I made sure to read some of their publications beforehand so that I could explain to them why I found their research compelling. Of the four professors I emailed, two got back to me within two days.
- I met with those two professors and we talked about their work. For the first lab, I sat in on a few group meetings and met the other lab members. This helped me to get a feel of the lab culture and community. For the second lab, I got coffee with another undergrad student who was already working in the lab, and she talked with me about her experience. I also continued reading up on each lab to learn more about the research they did and what the lab community was like.
- I ultimately decided to go with the first lab, the Amanchukwu Lab, and officially joined as an undergraduate researcher! If you’re interested, you can find our lab at amanchukwu.uchicago.edu to learn more about the work we’re doing!
- After going through training, my PI (principal investigator) gave me the responsibility of taking on my own project! The work I’m doing involves the design of immiscible electrolytes for lithium-based batteries. I am now designing my own procedures and collecting data with the goal of publication!
- In order to be able to commit to longer hours in the lab, I applied for Metcalf Grants to fund my research during Spring and Summer Quarter! I also applied to the Stamps Scholars Program through UChicago, which is now funding my research for my final two academic years as an undergrad.
This is my specific experience with research at UChicago, but there are many other ways to get involved. You just have to be willing to seek out different opportunities. I’m so glad that I made the decision to get involved in research, and I’m really looking forward to continuing my work throughout the rest of my time at UChicago!