Job Search – Research Opportunities

Research positions are great ways to build your resume and prepare for further education programs!  They can also be competitive, so be sure to start early, broaden your scope, and be strategic with your search.  

October 20, 2023

Where to start – at McMaster

  • Check your department website or McMaster Experts to look up professors who might be doing research and what their current projects are to determine if you are interested.  You may want to begin with who you know first (instructors you have had before) and go from there.
  • Expand to other departments in your faculty if there are any relevant departments. 
  • Explore other faculties if relevant to your area(s) of interest. Many skills and knowledge are transferrable in research! For example, If you are in the Biology department, research projects in Biochemistry and Biomedical engineering may be interesting and applicable to your field. 
  • Check Mosaic for on-campus opportunities, known as Work Study.  Positions are posted in early August for the academic year, and in early March for summer on Mosaic  
  • Connect with upper-year students through your program. These students may know of new opportunities which have recently been posted and they can help connect you with professors.
  • Attend networking events. Throughout the year, there are usually ‘Meet the Profs’ events hosted by program societies. These are amazing opportunities to meet with professors and learn about research being conducted at McMaster. For example, the Materials Science Department Meet the Profs and Life Sciences Society Meet the Profs.
  • The David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery Student Fellowship is a scholarship which is awarded to undergraduate students working in Institute of Infectious Disease Research (IIDR) labs in the summer. 

Where to start – beyond McMaster

  • OSCARplus has postings from many types of employers, be sure to check regularly  
  • Many research opportunities are in hospitals, government agencies, other departments or universities.  Broaden your search according to interests 

Examples: 

Consider other healthcare agencies and organizations that may have opportunities such as: Canadian Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis, Heart and Stroke, Lung Association, etc.  Check this website for a full list and check any of interest for possible volunteer or paid opportunities: https://hospitalnews.com/healthcare-societies-assoc/ 

  • Start early! Get to know your professors – the earlier the better!  
  • Attend classes regularly and sit in the front.  Ask and answer questions in class. The discussion board on Avenue is also a great way to engage in classroom discussions. 
  • Go to office hours prepared with thoughtful questions to show that you understand class material. 
  • Don’t be afraid to talk to your professor about topics not related to classroom material. This could even involve talking to your professor about possible career opportunities within your field of study. 
  • Ask about their research. Professors love to talk about their research, especially if you have read any of it and have questions on it. This is a great way to get noticed! 
  • Consider volunteer or summer research positions or look for teaching assistant roles – these are great ways to build relationships with professors outside of the classroom.   
  • Participate in student run faculty societies, student run journals, MSU Clubs that may have close connections with faculty members.   
  • Consider experiential courses that may liaise with faculty members for supervision: 

Business: https://ug.degroote.mcmaster.ca/registration/specific-notes-for-level-4/how-to-register-in-commerce-4sy3-or-commerce-4el3/ 

Engineering: https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/connect/experiential-learning#Courses 

Humanities: https://humadvising.humanities.mcmaster.ca/applied-courses-in-the-humanities/ 

Science: https://www.science.mcmaster.ca/scce/experiential-learning/department-specific-experiential-education-courses.html 

Social Science: https://experiential-ed.mcmaster.ca/ 

  • MacPherson: The Student Partners Program (SPP) provides undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to participate as partners with faculty, instructors and staff on projects that contribute to the enhancement of teaching and learning at McMaster: https://mi.mcmaster.ca/student-partners-program/ 
  • Talk to your TA’s! Most of them are graduate students and would discuss their research with you. They may know about undergrad research opportunities in their departments. 
  • Send an introductory email with a brief description of who you are and why you are interested in working with them. Attach a current copy of your resume or CV for their reference.
  • Simplify the ask, and see if they are willing to meet you in person or virtually so you can ask more about their research.
  • Make sure you request is short and to the point.
  • Schedule your emails to send between 7am and 8am between Monday and Friday
  • Depending on how much research experience you have consider inquiring about volunteer opportunities as a way to build professor networks and gain valuable experience.
  • If you do not have any previous research experience, be sure to highlight lab courses and courses which show that you understand scientific literature in your introductory email.
  • Email early! For summer positions, and even for positions starting in Fall of the next year, you should begin reaching out to professors starting in October/ November.
  • It is acceptable to send a follow up email if you do not get a response within a couple of weeks.

Dear Professor __________, 

I greatly enjoyed and benefited from the classes (be specific and name the classes/ year/ grade you received) that I took with you. I learned more about your research interests from your paper(s) on (topic) and am very interested/motivated to learn more about (topic of research) because (indicate any experiences/projects if applicable, or give your reason for interest). I would like to learn more about the research (specify your research interest) that happens in your lab as I prepare to make the next step in my career for a career in (specify your career/further education program of interest).

Would you be available in the following week to talk about your research?

 Thanks so much for taking the time to review this request. 

 Sincerely, 

 Firstname Lastname
Your Phone Number
Your Email
LinkedIn URL 

Research grants

Check into research grants, for example: 

Job search tips

  • Connect with us for a resume critique to ensure you are showcasing your skills and experience in a way that will appeal to your audience. Book on OSCARplus or attend our career drop ins every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  
  • Attend webinar sessions to learn more tips and have your questions answered! Topics include: Resume, LinkedIn, Networking, Interview, and Job Search. Register on OSCARplus  
  • Attend Job Fairs and stay up to date with the Events calendar on OSCARplus 
  • Talk to people. You never know who can lead you to your next opportunity. Letting your friends, family, professors, TAs, peers, etc., know what you are looking for may lead you to ideas and referrals.
  • Check the Alumni and Partner Advisor Network to connect with alumni and build your network 
  • LinkedIn can be a powerful professional tool – search McMaster University and click on alumni to see where they work and what they do. 

Final thoughts

  • Cast your job search net as widely as possible. Don’t just apply to your ‘ideal’ job and hope you get it. Have a back-up plan. 
  • Apply, apply, apply! It can take upwards of 50 applications to secure 1 interview! 
  • Remember – you can build skills, experience and professional networks in ANY job, it is what YOU make of your experience, not what your experience makes you. 

The SSC offers professional services on resume writing, skill development, interviewing, LinkedIn, job search coaching, accommodation and disclosure in the workplace coaching, and more.

Are you unsure about your options or suitability for career paths? We have career counsellors that can help you navigate the career planning process.

Check OSCARplus for events, company recruitment sessions, workshops and job and volunteer postings to support your professional development.