Students play a significant role in the department's commitment and focus on discovery, research, and creative work. By participating in research, our students develop the necessary skills for both graduate school and the workforce, participate in a hands-on learning experience, and receive valuable mentorship from both graduate students and faculty members. The skills gained from these research experiences have helped students stand out in graduate school applications and the job market.
Our undergraduate researchers have achieved great success, publishing papers and attending national and international conferences. Following graduation, they have gone on to work for Fortune 500 companies or enrolled in top-tier graduate programs.
No matter what your path after graduation is, getting involved in research as an undergraduate student is an excellent opportunity to learn more about a field of study, gain skills transferable to the workforce or academia, and make a difference in today’s world.
“Being an undergrad research assistant has really ignited my curiosity for innovation as you don't need to know everything to get started. Having a little over 3 years of research experience has significantly boosted the experience on my resume as I get to talk about my projects during job interviews, helping me stand out to employers. Beyond that, it sharpened my technical skills, improved my time management, and gave me a taste of what graduate school would be like.” –Blesssing Nagara, Undergraduate Research Assistant
How to Get Involved
- Find a faculty member whose research overlaps with your interests. You can do so by taking their classes, reading their papers or articles about their research online, or going to our department’s research page and clicking on your desired research area. Another option would be to speak with your advisor who may be able to help you.
- Find their email address on their profile.
- Email your desired professor with the subject line “Undergraduate Research Inquiry.”
- State your name, year, and major.
- Include your resume. This should state any previous job you experience you may have, even if its doesn’t directly relate to research. Previous research experience is not required, but professors like to see any professional experience you may have had either in high school or while in college. This can showcase all the soft skills you have learned at previous jobs such as time management, communication, and critical thinking.
- Include your transcript. Especially for first- and second-year students who are interested in research, professors like to see how you have learned the material in class and what classes you have taken to see if your background is a good match for the research they are conducting.
- Include a statement about why you want to work with that faculty member. The more specific you are with why their research excites you or why you want to work on it, the more you can tell the professor why you would be a good fit to work with them. Do not send a general email; make each email you send unique to each professor.
- Ask to schedule a time to talk further in person. The email is just to introduce yourself and why you want to work with the specific professor. Please keep the email to two to three paragraphs. Be clear and concise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should apply for these positions?
We strongly encourage first to third-year students to apply, as that gives professors enough time to work with students and help develop their research. However, fourth-year students should also reach out.
I don’t have any research experience. Can I still apply?
Yes.
How do I know if the professor I’m interested in doing research with is looking for undergraduate researchers?
Ask them. It’s okay if you email a professor and they are not looking for any undergraduate researchers right now. You can still talk to them about the research they are doing, and ask about when they might be looking for researchers or if they know of any faculty who are looking at the moment.
When is the best time to reach out?
The best time would be a month to two weeks before the start of each semester. That is when professors are most likely to be hiring interested students.
I reached out to a professor and I have not heard back. What should I do?
Wait one week before following up with the professor. When following up with the professor, please include your previous email, as to group everything together in their inbox. Please do not repeat follow-up emails, if you do not hear back, move onto other professors.
Can I do undergraduate research for college credit?
Yes. If you are doing undergraduate research, you can always get at least 1 credit hour of college credit. Please talk to the professor and your advisor to arrange this after you accept a position.
Can I be paid for undergraduate research?
Sometimes. It depends on the professor and the availability of funds. You will have to inquire with a specific professor if you require a paid research position.
What other opportunities are there on campus?
Iowa State University has an undergraduate research page. Research positions may also be posted on the Student Job Board or might be arranged by individual faculty members.
Another opportunity for undergraduate research would be the Undergraduate Research Assistantship program – which encourages outstanding juniors and seniors to pursue graduate study by offering them hands-on experience in a formal research environment.
Iowa State University also has the ISU McNair Program, which prepares qualified undergraduates for graduate school with the primary goal of increasing the number of students who earn PhDs. Students from this program are from unrepresented groups.
To see all the opportunities on campus, go to the Iowa State University page for Undergraduate Research Opportunities.
Are there any opportunities just for first-year students?
A unique opportunity for first-year students is the University Honors program, where first-year honors students can work on research projects with faculty members.