For opportunities at the pre- or postdoctoral levels, please inquire: weimbs@lifesci.ucsb.edu
Undergraduate Students: There are two types of opportunities for undergraduates in the Weimbs lab.
Undergrad research positions are for volunteers who are highly motivated and committed to learn experimental techniques, become intellectually highly involved and ultimately are able to help a senior member of the lab with their experiments, or even carry on research projects independently. In the beginning, it is more of a burden for a senior lab member to teach the undergrad student. But if a student is very good he/she can become a valuable member of the team and contribute to our research progress. Someone who is highly motivated should be able to come to the lab in between and after their classwork or on weekends for at least about 10 hours/week. The person should be very strong academically so that the lab work does not negatively impact the class work performance. A talented and motivated student should be able to quickly learn experimental techniques and start to do experiments with less and less supervision until they can be done, for the most part, independently. Undergraduate researchers typically want to go on to graduate school after graduation. An excellent letter of reference commenting on their outstanding undergrad research activity is invaluable for admission into a competitive graduate program. Such undergrad research experience is expected by graduate admission committees at all top tier universities. There are several summer research fellowships available to undergraduate students. Successful undergrad researchers in the Weimbs lab are strongly encouraged to apply for these fellowships and will then be invited to spend the summer doing full-time research in the lab.
Paid jobs are intended for students who need to support themselves financially. Students will perform routine lab duties such as glassware washing and autoclaving, preparation of common buffers and solutions, preparation of SDS-PAGE gels, ordering of supplies, picking up orders etc. The person should be very strong academically so that the lab work does not negatively impact the class work performance. The student also must be highly dependable and conscientious. The advantage of such a lab job over a non-career-relevant off-campus job is that it will be regarded favorably by future employees in science and the biotech/pharmaceutical industry. Also, the student will be immersed in an academic research environment. Some outstanding students may go on to volunteer extra time to work on research projects. Students who qualify for "Work-Study" financial aid (http://www.finaid.ucsb.edu/workstudy/index.asp) are especially encouraged to apply for a paid job in the Weimbs lab.
To apply for either of these undergrad opportunities, please e-mail your resume and a copy of your grades to weimbs@lifesci.ucsb.edu