How can I get into research in ecology as an undergraduate? A how-to guide
by Samantha Gorle
Does ecological research interest you but you’re not sure where to get started? You’ve come to the right place. Last time I covered what kinds of cool things I get to do as an undergraduate researcher in ecology, and now, I’ll be sharing my personal advice on how to get involved.
What are you interested in?
In the Gonzalez lab, we focus on biodiversity change and conservation, but there are many facets to ecology, so think about what interests you the most! Maybe a favourite type of species (insects? birds?), or a specific type of habitat that interests you (marine? desert? tundra?), a topic from a class you’ve taken or a paper you’ve read that stood out to you. Then, look through your university's faculty to see if there are any labs that mention those topics you’re interested in and figure out which professors you want to contact. Once you have the names of people you’d be interested in working with, the fun begins!
Do your research!
By fun, I mean reading (and lots of it!). Find the lab website (just like this one!) of the professor you’d like to work with, and give it a read, focusing on their lab's priorities and culture. Read the section that usually is labelled “Join Us” or “Get Involved” - this can give you an idea about specific opportunities in the lab. Make sure to also read some recent publications from the lab members to familiarize yourself with their work!
What would you like to do?
Before reaching out, it’s important to know what you want to do by joining the lab. Do you want to work in a lab doing experiments? Are you more of a computer person and you prefer to do something computational? Or do you feel adventurous and want to go out into the field? Think about what you would be open to, and make sure it is compatible with what the lab you’re interested in does.
What's your goal?
It’s also important to know what you are hoping to get out of it. You can volunteer to be in a lab to help with various projects, and gain experience that way. Often, you can also do research for course credit (here at McGill, you can do an Honours project in your final year), spend a semester doing a research project, or a directed reading project with a professor for a semester instead of a class. If you’re unsure what your options are, make sure to first talk to an academic advisor. Another option is paid research - this can be harder to find as an undergraduate, but look into what kind of grants your school might have for undergraduate research, especially over the summer.
Leverage your contacts
Contacting professors about an opportunity to work with them can feel daunting - but there’s no need to be worried. They are people, just like you, who are very enthusiastic about science and ecology. If you are interested in working with a professor you have a class with, this is a great starting point to build a connection with them. Don’t limit yourself to professors either - if you’ve had a great TA for a class or a lab, you can always reach out to them to see if they or their lab are taking undergrads.
Get in touch
Now it’s time to reach out and ask your questions - and the worst thing that can happen is that they say no. If you currently have a class with the professor or TA, stick around after class or go to office hours to see if they have a moment to speak about research opportunities. Emails work great too, both for people you know and people you don’t! Cold emails are totally acceptable, as long as you’ve done your research, read the lab website and know what is generally expected in an applicant email. This can include a transcript and/or CV, so it’s smart to attach these to an email, and maybe even provide a reference email or two. In your email it’s important to communicate what it is about their lab that interests you, as well as your own research interests, so they can see how you would fit into the lab. Make sure that your email comes off as personalized and tailored to the professor and their lab, rather than a generic one sent to many professors.
Now what?
If a professor seems keen to take you on, you will likely have a meeting or interview with them or a member from their lab, which is a great opportunity to learn about the current projects in the lab and the lab culture to make sure it’s the right fit. You might be asked about any previous research experience, skills you’ve learned from classes and labs, what interests you in the lab, and where you hope to end up in the future.
In conclusion
The key to landing yourself a research position in a lab is, you guessed it, to do your research. Figure out what subjects interest you, find out about the labs at your school, and assess what type of work you would like to do, as well as what your goals are. If you are interested in research, invest time into building connections with professors and TAs, and don’t hesitate to reach out to them about opportunities.
Hopefully, with this advice, you now feel prepared to get involved in ecology research as an undergraduate, which is a very exciting and rewarding journey.
With that, here a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind:
DO:
Start early - it’s great to start looking for opportunities early so you don’t miss deadlines.
Be polite! Make sure that you use the professor's proper title when addressing them unless they say otherwise.
Show enthusiasm - they want to know you care!
DON’T:
Send a generic email - take the time to highlight what about their lab specifically interests you.
Limit yourself - other departments might have professors that do relevant research (check out geography and environmental sciences).
Get discouraged! It can take time to find a research opportunity but keep trying and you’ll find something great.