Research Opportunities
Identifying Research Opportunities
Research opportunities provide valuable experiences in applying classroom knowledge, developing critical skills, and clarifying career paths. Participating in research can prepare students for graduate studies and make them more competitive in the job market.
Key steps to success in obtaining a position:
- Schedule a meeting with the Career Development Center to review email introductions and your resume
- Start looking for positions about 5-6 months in advance of when you would like to start and consider doing informational interviews with people who work in research
- Schedule a mock interview with the Career Development Center once you secure an interview
MCPHS Research Opportunities
Center for Research and Discovery
The Center for Research and Discovery provides opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies students across all MCPHS campuses. The Center is a hub of innovation and collaboration, providing opportunities for students to team up with faculty to conduct research in a variety of areas. Using the online catalog, students can explore research subjects and connect with faculty members who are interested in working with students to set up collaborations. The CRD also holds an annual research conference to showcase student research.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF)
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program provides matriculated students with opportunities for mentored learning by working closely with faculty on a scholarly project. In the course of the project, students apply critical thinking skills in formulating significant questions, proposing solutions, testing the proposed solutions and effectively communicating the outcome of their work to others.
External Research Opportunities
AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)
The Association of American Medical Colleges is a resource which helps enhance your medical school experience through research or training by providing various directories of clinical, research, and public health opportunities.
Massachusetts Biotechnology Council
The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio) focuses on advancing Massachusetts’ leadership in the life sciences field to grow the industry, add value to the healthcare system, and improve patient lives.
Membership with MassBio gives students, faculty, and staff access to training programs, committees, discussion forums, networking events, a career board, and industry reports on the biotech and biopharma industries of Massachusetts. All students, faculty, and staff at MCPHS are members of MassBio because the University is an institutional member. Create your account at: MassBio Registration Information. (You must use your MCPHS email address to create an account.)
To search for jobs and internships, click on the "Careers" tab found along the top of the MassBio page.
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation funds undergraduate students through its Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites program. The REU Sites fund research programs at the student’s home institution.
Rally by Mass General Brigham
Rally by Mass General Brigham is an online platform that supports collaboration between the public and the research community. This site connects participants to clinical research studies relevant to their health issues. Participating in these studies helps researchers discover new treatments.
Although this site is aimed at people looking to be part of a clinical research trial, it can help students identify and connect with the doctors, researchers, and principal investigators in charge of this research.
- At the top of the page, browse by category, institution, and research group to see what is currently being researched.
- If you want to see current research in a particular area, click on Topic.
- Once in the specified topic you can learn more about the study and the name of the principal investigator, project contact, and the research coordinator.
- Now, you can send a resume and cover letter expressing interest in their study and inquiring about available research opportunities.