Royaldoc99
Forum Senior
Topics: 8
Posts: 119
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Getting into research in the US is really very tough. Basically you just have to check the websites of individual hospitals out and check the doctors doing research there and apply to them individually. Also, they ask for 2-3 references in most cases and always prefer people who have had prior research experience. Its really hard to get into research. Basically just do google searches and apply to all the research opportunities that you come across. Good Luck.
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| baneebal
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 9
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Would it be easier if I had a green card ?
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| vradojc1
Forum Elite
Topics: 21
Posts: 309
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No, it is fairly easy to get into research in the US, but depends upon your credentials.
You have to realize that research position is in no way similar to an observership/clerkship in terms of time spent in it.
To land a research position, you can either try numerous SURPs (summer undergraduate research programs) - if you're an undergraduate, or as an MD, you can go for a postdoc/research technician position.
For the latter two, you should have some experience in research (especially for the research tech) because not a single principal investigator (PI) will hire a person that needs extensive training. Postdoc positions are given more easily since the applicant will land usually a J-1 visa. For research tech you need to get an H-1B (PI will sponsor it), but do not even think about applying to it if you don't have an extensive experience. Nobody wants to go through the expenses and hassle of H-1B for a person that just touched briefly a pipette.
How to find a position:
1) Figure out what you are interested in (eg. stem cells in leukemia)
2) Find labs that do that kind of research (pubmed, google scholar)
3) Write directly to the PI about your interests in research, plan of your research in their lab, educational/research background and possibility to do research in their lab
4) Wait for the response - in most cases, unless you have a decent research background (lets say a publication, even a student one on the topic, LORs of people that do sth remotely related to it in your med school...), there will be no response, but that one that you get might be what you want
Final disclaimer:
Do not think that research position is something that you can do for a month or two (unless it is a SURP), and than get stellar LORs and publications. It is strenuous hard work that takes at least year (more likely two) as you cannot finish a single project (that will yield a publication) in less time. If you think that it is a position that you can try for a month and than leave the lab - do not bother applying as nobody will even consider replying to you.
Link below is just one of the many where postdoc/research technician jobs are advertised.
http://www.newscientistjobs.com/jobs/default.aspx
Hope it helps.
Good luck
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| baneebal
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 9
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Thank you very much for this valuble info .I was in need of this kind of information
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| vradojc1
Forum Elite
Topics: 21
Posts: 309
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What I did not mention is a difference between a postdoc and a research technician. The latter is basically a drone who does technical aspects of the research work. Unlike a postdoc who has more responsibilities, designs research projects and later gets awarded by the first authorship on a publication. Techs usually do not get there. But they have 9-5 working hours. If you'd like to do research, aim for postdoctoral position.
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