How to get research experience?

So, you want to dip your toes into the world of research but have no idea where to start? Panic not! You don’t need to have a Nobel Prize-winning idea in your back pocket to gain valuable experience. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to build research skills and strengthen your CV while figuring out whether life in the lab or library really is for you! Here are some tried-and-true (and a few creative) ways to get research experience!

1. Undergraduate/master’s Research Project
2. Summer internships
3. Volunteering in a Lab
4. Research Assistant/ Research Technician jobs
5. Conferences and seminars
6. Collaborations Outside Academia

1) Undergraduate/master’s Research Project

Most universities offer research projects for master’s students and final-year undergraduate students. My advice would be to make the most out of it and don’t take it for granted! You’ll work under a supervisor, learn how to conduct and troubleshoot experiments, and maybe even contribute to real data your supervisor is collecting! These projects are the training wheels for the research world. You’ll learn how to read primary literature with a critical eye, keep a lab book (that doesn’t look like chicken scratch), and practice presenting your findings, even if it’s just to your classmates!

This will also help you test your own interest: Do you enjoy the lab, reading, data analysis, etc.? Treat it like a safe space to figure that out! Some students even manage to squeeze out a poster presentation or an authorship in a publication, which looks brilliant on a CV!

Tip: Take initiative and get your moneys worth! Don’t do the bare minimum, ask questions, suggest ideas, and show genuine curiosity. Professors remember enthusiastic students! These extra steps show that you’re not just there to tick a box, but to genuinely learn the ropes of research.

2) Summer internships

Universities, research institutes, and even charities often run summer research internships for students. These can be competitive, but they’re a fantastic way to get a feel for research beyond coursework. Some are funded (bonus!) and allow you to fully immerse yourself in lab or desk-based research for several weeks! You’ll gain skills and make valuable connections. You might even decide whether a career in research is really for you. Alternatively, you may discover that you’re more of a “thank you, but I’ll stick to reading about it” type.

Where to look: Check university career portals, research councils, pharmaceutical companies, or organizations like Wellcome Trust or NIH, depending on your location. And don’t wait until the last minute; applications can open months in advance! Here are some links!

My advice would be to set aside a good amount of time to research and apply to different programs. LinkedIn and Google are your best friends! If there is a particular lab you would like to volunteer in, but they are not offering a position, send them an email! There is no harm in doing so.

3) Volunteering in a Lab

Sometimes, you can get your foot in the door by offering to volunteer in a lab! This could be in your undergrad/master’s lab once you have finished your thesis, or any lab you have an interest in. You might start off doing basic tasks like washing glassware, genotyping, or data entry. Once you’ve proven yourself reliable, supervisors are often happy to train you on more advanced skills. Think of it like a trial period; if you can consistently label samples without causing chaos, you’ll be trusted with more exciting work! Being in a lab environment can help you gain new skills and build connections, plus it looks great on your CV!

Tip: Be realistic about your availability. It’s better to commit to something sustainable than to overpromise! When I volunteered in a lab, I did two days a week, then had a part-time job on the side, so I could still earn an income while being a volunteer! Even one day a week can make a difference!

4) Research Assistant/ Research Technician jobs

After your degree, you could apply to research assistant/technician roles (you can find out more about them here!) Insert link These are normally advertised on university job boards and LinkedIn! Research assistant/ Technician roles give you an even deeper understanding of the realities of academic life. You will likely be working on someone else project, but you’ll gain technical skills, see the research cycle in action. These roles are also perfect for networking, as you will get to talk to senior scientists about their journey into research and they’ll be able to give you valuable advice!

Bonus: These roles look excellent on Ph.D. applications, especially if you want to show you’re already familiar with the grind!

5) Conferences and seminars

Okay, so you don’t collect data at conferences, but attending talks, presenting poster, or even just networking can count as research-related experience! It shows you’re engaged with the academic community and willing to learn from others! Also, watching people presenting their research can help you find where your interests lie and what area of science, you’re passionate about. It gives you an opportunity to asks questions to the people doing the research! Plus, they’re a fantastic place to meet potential mentors or future collaborators. You could even meet other students who can give you advice on how to get experience.

Where to find these events: Most conferences and seminars will be advertised on Eventbrite. It’s a good idea to set reminders on the app for science events in your area so you don’t miss out!

6) Collaborations Outside Academia

Not all research happens at universities! Companies, hospitals, charities, and NGOs also run research projects. Getting involved here can give you a different perspective, and sometimes, these environments are less rigid than academia. This means you get more hands-on experience faster. Think clinical trials, market research, or biotech startups; these can teach you skills that academics sometimes overlook, such as project management and communication with non-scientists. And who knows, you might even like it more than academia and decide to stay!

Tip: If you’re interested in applied science, industry collaboration can help you bridge the gap between lab work and real-world impact.

Final Thoughts

Getting research experience isn’t about ticking a box; it’s about discovering whether you enjoy the process of asking questions, finding answers, and surviving the inevitable failures along the way. Each experience will teach you something valuable. And remember: every great scientist started somewhere!

So get out there, explore your options, and start building your research story!