Introduction

Pursuing a PhD or a research career is a long and challenging journey. Gaining experience early can make all the difference. If you’re an undergrad or master’s student considering a PhD, or just looking to build research experience, here are some tips you can take to build yourself up for success.

1. Get involved in research early
2. Build a relationship with professors
3. Develop technical and analytical skills
4. Utilise your network
5. Keep your CV up to date
6. Consider Postgrad (If you’re an undergrad)
7. Stay curious and keep learning

1) Get involved in research early

Many universities have research opportunities for undergraduates, even if they are not widely advertised. But don’t wait for opportunities to come to you; seek them out!

• Reach out to professors at your university who interest you to see if they have any internships available for the summer.
• Apply for structured summer internship programs like UROP, Wellcome Trust, and SURF. These are excellent ways to get paid while gaining experience!
• If there are no paid opportunities available, consider volunteering in a lab. I volunteered two days a week during my summer holidays when I was an undergrad student. This way, I could still work the other days and earn money!

2) Build a relationship with professors

Let’s be honest, sometimes it’s who you know, not what you know. Having strong relationships with professors is crucial. A strong recommendation letter can make or break an application, and this can kickstart your research career! Ways to build these relationships can include:

• Attending office hours and engaging in conversations during lab meetings.
• Being proactive in your research project. Come up with your own ideas and stay on top of reading
• Showing a consistent keen interest in lab activities and research discussions

3) Develop technical and analytical skills

Many programs look for students with strong technical and problem-solving abilities. It is worthwhile spending some time developing these skills. Depending on your field, you may want to develop:

• Data analysis skills: Learn R, Python, or MATLAB if relevant to you field. There are paid courses like DataCamp, but you can also learn for free through YouTube or platforms like Coursera and edX
• Laboratory techniques and proper experimental design: During your research project, you can ask to shadow people in the lab to get more experience
• Experience with statistical software, imaging techniques, or computational modelling

4) Utilise your network

Networking is vital in all industries! In academia, it can open doors to research opportunities, funding and career guidance. Networking events are an excellent way to meet new people, but you can also network with people in your day-to-day life! Here’s how to build a network.

• During your workshops and tutorials. Many of these are led by teaching assistants who are often PhD students! As they are only one or two steps ahead of you in their career, they can offer up-to-date and practical advice!
• Attend research talks, conferences and networking events to meet potential mentors.
• Participate in university career fairs to explore potential internships in industry.
• Use LinkedIn to reach out to alumni in your field. Ask them for advice about how they got where they are!

5) Keep your CV up to date

A well-structured CV is essential for applying to research roles and graduate programs. You will never know when an opportunity will arise! Make sure to keep it updated!

• Highlighting relevant coursework and lab practicals
• Using active verbs and quantifying achievements where possible.
• Showcasing technical skills, including any programming languages you’ve learned.
• Adding leadership roles, outreach activities, and experiences that demonstrate transferable skills.

6) Consider Postgrad (If you’re an undergrad)

A postgraduate degree is a sure way to gain research experience. Whether you opt for an MSc or MRes, you will get a research component which will look great on your CV. A master’s degree will also cement if you really want to pursue a research career! Check out this blog post if you are deciding between an MRes or MSc.

• Consider a program with a strong research component, this can be an MSc or an MRes
• If you are looking to change fields, consider an MSc
• If you want to stay in the same field, consider an MRes

7) Stay curious and keep learning

Beyond assessments and coursework, make sure to stay engaged with research. This will set you apart and will also make it easier when you eventually start your PhD! You can:

• Read academic papers regularly
• Attend departmental seminars or research talks
• Follow scientists and research accounts on social media to learn about ongoing discoveries
• Keep an open mind about new research that might interest you

Final thoughts

You don’t have to have your whole future mapped out, but taking proactive steps can open so many doors. Whether you decide to pursue a PhD or not, gaining research skills as an undergrad will equip you with a lot of valuable skills for a wide range of careers. Stay curious. Keep pushing. Don’t hesitate to seek opportunities. They are often just an email away!