Student Researcher Positions
Many students underestimate themselves. Do not make that mistake. For example many freshmen, incorrectly assume that they would not be eligible for a research position in our lab. That is not the case at all. In fact I prefer to have a mix of students at different stages of their college careers.
To borrow a line from the comedian Rob Schneider in the movie “The Waterboy.”
YOU CAN DO IT!!
Minimum Qualifications:
* A deep desire to study physics
* Intellectual curiosity
* Dedication
* Time to devote to research
* You will be expected to, in time, to work independently.
* A CSUSB student (or future student)
* A science or math major (preferably a physics major, however former students have included computer science students and chemistry students for example)
Desired Qualifications:
A strong GPA (3.0 or better).
Strong analytical skills (math).
What is it like to work in a physics research group?
Perhaps one of the research students said it best when he proclaimed that “What we do in the lab reminds me of why I am taking the classes.” You have to love the process. Unlike what you may have seen in movies or television, major discoveries (curing cancer, etc.) are not made every hour. Progress is often incremental and comes after a great deal of work. You will often work with at least one other student, most likely a student that has been with the research group for some time. The research lab experience is very different from your classroom experience and even your instructional lab experience. Typically nobody knows “the correct answer.” That is the point of original research. The researcher has the responsibility of making sure that his/her results are correct. Another way that it differs from the traditional learning experience is that you must take responsibility and supply the driving force. There is no lab manual. You will often encounter things that you have not studied in classes yet. You will need to “bring yourself up to speed” on what you need to know. Veteran researchers have to do this all the time. Student researchers have the added benefit of knowing the relevance of the subjects when they do encounter them in class.
Or lab is primarily an experimental research lab. We get to work with some very sophisticated equipment. However, we spend a great deal of time developing, repairing and modifying experimental equipment and techniques. We also spend a lot of time analyzing data.
Research that is not shared with others is of very limited value. Consequently there is a strong expectation that students will present their results in the form of publications and/or presentations. As you mature in your academic careers, you will learn that publication records are, in large part an important measure of a researcher’s success. Travel to conferences and all related expenses are covered by the research grants. One of the fringe benefits of research is travel. Our group has traveled all over the US and into Canada.
I strongly advise that you talk with existing or former research students to get their experiences.
If you are excited about doing research follow the “Apply” link.