So, you’re hoping to land a gig at a research lab– but where do you start?
First, it’s important to determine the kind of role you hope to pursue at a lab and why you are interested in this line of work! Are you an undergraduate student planning on taking a gap year before applying to graduate school? A skilled researcher hoping to transition into a new lab or discipline? A highly-organized administrator, grant manager, or laboratory technician? Working in a research lab may be the path for you. There are two primary roles that research groups (or “labs,” in some departments and institutions) typically offer: research assistants (often titled “research technicians,” “lab assistants,” “student researchers,” etc.) and lab managers. The former position tends to focus more on the day-to-day tasks of research, such as working with subjects, collecting data, and administering interventions, while the latter focuses on organizing lab meetings, scheduling participants and studies, and organizing the lab’s data and publications.
Both research assistants and lab managers may be directly involved in activities that are subject to research compliance review and oversight, including recruiting human subjects, collecting data, and ensuring that all protocols are compliant with guidelines. If you join a lab that conducts research involving human participants, your work may fall under the oversight of an Institutional Review Board (IRB). Whether you're helping recruit participants, collect data, or manage study records, it's important to understand the ethical responsibilities tied to research involving human subjects. Many labs require their team members to complete CITI training before participating in IRB-approved protocols. Knowing the basics of IRB processes can make you a more informed, responsible, and competitive applicant. Ultimately, these are both fantastic opportunities to enhance your skills before applying to a graduate program, particularly a PhD program, and to grow as a researcher! This guide focuses on the lab manager role, but the resource list below also includes great information for those applying to research assistantships!
Finding a lab manager role can be tricky, and unlike many positions available in the job market, you may not find applications on a typical job board website. As such, we will guide you through the cold emailing process, which is often the best way to discover openings in a lab you’d like to work at and make initial connections! Cold emailing is also a great way to hone your professional conduct experience in research, as clear, transparent outreach is a core practice in ethical collaboration and scientific communication. This manner of communication mirrors the values we expect in informed consent and research compliance!
Cold emailing is sending an unsolicited email to a person with whom you have no prior relationship or connection to. It is a great way to establish contact with a lab or research mentor you are interested in working with– and often one of the best ways to find work in a lab! It is often difficult to tell from a lab’s website alone if they are hiring or looking for new members, and many groups tend to recruit people they already know. Thus, a cold email can be your “foot in the door” for any current or future openings in the group. Even if your email is unsuccessful at finding you a job, you now have one more contact in your network who can potentially connect you with other folks who are looking for lab managers.
It’s no secret that cold emails can be awkward to send– after all, you don’t already know this person! Still, there are a few ways to alleviate this awkwardness and send a great email.
First, be sure to do your research! It sounds simple, but personalizing your message and ensuring that you truly know the topics you are talking about is one great way to set yourself apart from other emailers. Be sure to introduce yourself as well, and describe why you are interested in their work and how you can contribute to their lab. For instance, if the lab conducts human subjects research, familiarize yourself with the populations you work with or the ethical challenges in that area of research– this shows both initiative and awareness of ethical research practice. In general, an empty and vague email is less effective than one where the recipient truly understands what you are hoping to accomplish by reaching out, and why they can help.
Keep your email short and sweet. Consider: in your own experience, are you more likely to respond to a long, disorganized email or one that is clear, actionable, and to the point? Be explicit about what you are looking for and how they can help get you there. Attach your resume/CV for more information and to avoid describing your background in too much detail. Depending on the lab and the populations they work with, you might also acknowledge your IRB experience or ethics training (i.e., CITI training in human subjects research). Doing so helps to reinforce your readiness to work on ethically regulated studies. Additionally, be sure to take advantage of the subject line to grab your recipient’s attention and clearly state why you are emailing them.
Lastly, be genuine! Most professors are excited to hear that someone is also interested in their work. Even if they are unable to offer you a position at the time of your email, a strong cold email may mean that they will keep you in mind for the future. You could also consider setting up a brief Zoom meeting or phone call with them to introduce yourself, your interests, and discuss their work and advice for budding researchers.
If you don’t get a reply, don’t take it personally! Cold emailing is one of the norms in academic research, so professors are likely to receive many throughout the academic year. You may want to consider reaching out to an existing lab manager or graduate student instead of the professor/principal investigator, as they are more likely to reply. Lab managers often coordinate IRB submissions and oversee protocol adherence, making them ideal contacts to learn more about the lab’s compliance responsibilities. Remember to follow up, too! As a busy student or professional yourself, you likely know that emails can pile up easily, so give your recipient some grace and reach out again in 1-2 weeks. Building your cold email skills will serve you well throughout your career, so this is a valuable learning exercise in itself. Research in general is a valuable endeavor for students of numerous careers– working in a research lab not only helps you to build technical skills, but it also introduces you to the ethical and regulatory landscape of human subjects research, which is essential for anyone pursuing IRB regulated projects.
Cold email examples: The good, the bad, and the IRB-aware
To help you visualize what a strong cold email looks like—and what to avoid—here are two examples with commentary. Use these as templates as you begin reaching out to labs.
❌ Example of a weak cold email
Subject: Research
Dear Professor,
My name is Alex, and I’m looking for a research position. I’m very interested in science and hope to gain experience. Do you have any open spots in your lab? Please let me know.
Thank you,
Alex
Why does this miss the mark?
- A generic subject line (“Research”) gives no real context.
- No personalization or reference to the lab’s work.
- No mention of relevant experience, training, or interests.
- Vague and passive; doesn’t explain what the sender can contribute.
- No resume or CV attached.
✅ Example of a strong, personalized cold email
Subject: Interest in Lab Assistant Role – Alex Rivera
Dear Dr. Williams,
My name is Alex Rivera, and I’m a senior at XYZ University majoring in neuroscience. I’ve been following your lab’s research on memory consolidation in adolescents, especially your recent publication in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience.
I’m currently looking to join a lab that conducts human subjects research as I prepare to apply for PhD programs. Your lab’s focus on longitudinal methods and ethical community engagement aligns well with my research interests. I’ve completed CITI training in human subjects research and would be excited to support your team in data collection or protocol administration.
I’ve attached my resume, and I’d welcome the opportunity to chat briefly about potential openings or ways to contribute.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Warm regards,
Alex Rivera
alex.rivera@email.com | [LinkedIn or personal website]
Why does this stand out?
- Clear and informative subject line.
- Personalizes the message with a reference to the PI’s recent work.
- Expresses specific interest in the lab’s research and human subjects ethics.
- Mentions CITI training—relevant for IRB-regulated labs.
- Provides a resume and offers to follow up without demanding a position.
Pro Tip: If you're specifically hoping to work in a lab that conducts research involving human participants, it's helpful to signal early on that you're familiar with research ethics and IRB requirements. It shows initiative and professionalism—and makes you a safer onboarding bet!
Best of luck in your research endeavors! For more resources, check out the list below.