hey i know there are a bunch of threads on this but they are either really old or they dont really answer my questions.

having finished term1 i want to start looking for jobs in the summer, primarily research or lab positions. i had a couple questions about finding and applying for positions.

1) i went on oscar-plus but i cant seem to find any summer research jobs on there, is it cus im just not searching the right things, or is it cus they probably arent up yet.

2) if the research job posting are simply not up yet then when do they tend to be released

3) are there any other ways you can find research opportunities

4) what kind of qualities?/experiences/marks do you need to get a research/lab assistant position (right now my marks are decent and my resume looks more like a camp councillors than a research assistants... also ive never really ever had a job so wat would you do for references?)

5) if youve had summer research positions do you mind telling me about the process and what you thought of it.

thanks for the help and insight
~C

I've been looking for summer research jobs as well, so this is a great thread.
Summer jobs have not been posted on Oscarplus yet.
Try looking through all the websites of hospitals downtown Toronto- Sick Kids, St Michaels, Mount Sinai, etc they have great research opportunities.
Also try asking profs, sometimes they have research opportunities as well.
From what I've seen, all research jobs seem very very competitive and most require B+ and above.
I haven't gotten a research job yet so I would love to know more from people who have experience as well!

Hey - I've had research assistant positions since my first year. It's best to speak to your professors directly, I'm not sure if they're posted on Oscar at all. It's important that you are genuinely interested in their research - try reading (or skimming) a few of their papers before you approach a potential supervisor. Some professors may also state in class that they're looking for summer students. Having a B+ or greater average is a plus, since you can apply for grants like NSERC. Good luck! Summer research can be a ton of fun.

I would assume that these research positions are very competitive (especially for hospitals in Toronto). Has anybody had any luck applying for research positions in hospitals?

Here, try this:

http://research.lunenfeld.ca /rtc/?...r%20Studen ts

It's where I worked for a co-op term. All the PI's there have grant $$ (super important) so they can usually afford 1-2 summer undergrads. If you have an NSERC or USRA, you have a better chance of getting in (anywhere).

In general, you should look at a PI/supervisor's lab website and their most recent publications - find experience and bench work you've done that is similar to theirs. Read their manuscripts and see if that's what you'd like to work on. Contact them directly. The professors in the Biology department generally have less money (basically none of them wanted to hire co-op students but were all taking on thesis students, who work for free). You could try looking into the Biochemistry department.

-You should talk to or email profs directly asking for possible summer positions. Remember you should always read up on their research first and possibly published works.

-Profs are often reluctant to take in undergraduate students into their labs unless they are doing a senior thesis or something and although marks are important, most people don't really have "real" lab experiences anyway so just try to set up an interview and do your best!

talk to ur profs for a volunteer if not paid. exp is exp

had a quick question regarding this topic: what sites have you guys used to find out if profs or other researchers are still working on a project and if they were looking for volunteers?

also what do you mean by nserc or ucra grants? can undergrads get those? could you explain how it works to me?

Originally Posted by Vuci

had a quick question regarding this topic: what sites have you guys used to find out if profs or other researchers are still working on a project and if they were looking for volunteers?

Oscar is useless like mugsi and maccess. And no website will help you

Email the prof, talk to them and ask. If they dont respond and youre still really interested after no response, go knock on their door.

Originally Posted by dhyong

Here, try this:

http://research.lunenfeld.ca /rtc/?...r%20Studen ts
... If you have an NSERC or USRA, you have a better chance of getting in (anywhere).

hey i just read up on these and was wondering if you apply after you have gotten the lab assistant positions or before. it seems as though the applications ask for the type of research you will be doing and other such details so i would assume that one would apply after they have gotten the position?

......

also i've been looking at a bunch of profs and their research websites, along with university and hospital research websites in other areas. it doesnt seem like they have any "job postings" per say. do profs ever advertise that they are looking for a research assistant or would you just have to go an email them and see if they need one?

What I did this year was apply for NSERC USRAs at two universities.

More information about this program is here: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Student...A-BRPC_eng.asp

Essentially what I did was email some professors whose research I was interested in (along with my transcript) and asked if they wanted to support my application to this award. If you read up about the NSERC USRAs you might get a better idea of what I am talking about.

I used this award to get their attention because this way they won't have to pay me, but instead the award does most of that for them, if you win. These awards are heavily weighted towards your GPA.