Common neuroscience research themes include:

• Cellular and Molecular

• Central Nervous System Imaging

• Behavioral

• Computational

• Artificial & Virtual Networks

The Brain and Behavior Institute and the Neuroscience and Cognitive Graduate Program also list common neuroscience research topics and fields of study.

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) promotes and facilitates on- and off-campus research experiences for all undergraduates. OUR coordinates the ForagerOne Database that posts open research positions across campus. However, many labs do not advertise publicly.

Check out the Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Graduate Program and the Brain and Behavior Institute to view faculty conducting neuroscience research on campus and check out their individual websites to find opportunities or reach out to them directly.

There are also off-campus opportunities and several PIs who have done an excellent job at mentoring UMD students and may be willing to mentor more.

Looking for summer research fellowships or postbacc opportunities?

Additional Research Opportunities

To determine fit, here are some important questions to ask...

• Yourself

  • Am I interested in the research question?

  • What skills do I want to learn?

  • Do I prefer a more social environment?

  • Am I able to handle the amount of hours required for this lab?

• Principal Investigator

  • What are your expectations for hours spent on the lab on a daily and weekly basis?

  • How long do you typically keep a undergraduate research assistant in your lab?

  • How is a new student integrated into the lab environment?

  • How many people conduct research on lab projects?

  • Are students assigned lab responsibilities? How is equipment shared/managed? 

  • How do you define a successful research term for your student?

  • What support do you provide students for finding their next position (academia, industry,  government, non‐traditional)? 

• Current Research Assistants

  • How is the group managed? Are you assigned tasks/responsibilities in terms of equipment maintenance, training, and ordering? 

  • What is your daily schedule like? Are you expected to be in lab at certain time? How flexible is your schedule? 

  • Does your PI hold you to reasonable expectations?  

  • What skills have you learned from this position?

  • What kind of culture exists in your lab? Do students spend time together outside the lab? 

Here are steps you can take to determine your time commitment for a research lab:

•  Review your personal schedule needs.

  • Determine the amount of time you need for study and other extracurricular activities each week.

  • Ask yourself "how many hours do I have free each day?"

  • Are you available on weekdays, weekends, nights, and school breaks?

• Review expectations from the lab.

  • Determine if you must meet for certain time blocks during the week.

  • Ask your intended PI if you will need to available during weekends.

• Create a statement of mutual expectations between yourself and your PI.

  • Review the following examples to create your own statement of mutual expectations

    • NACS Example

    • Cornell University Example

Be sure to check the lab’s webpage to see how the lab would like you to contact them. They may have a form to complete, or the email of a lab manager who handles on-boarding of undergraduate researchers.   

Get Involved in Research: Reaching Out

Nu Rho Psi Sample Email

The best time to email is a month or so before the semester you would like to start conducting research. This does not mean you cannot reach out later, though! If you do not hear back, it is encouraged to follow up after at least three business days.