Opportunities for Graduate Students and Postdocs

For opportunities at the pre- or postdoctoral levels, please inquire: weimbs@ucsb.edu

Opportunities for 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.

Read about the research experience of David Wallace in the Weimbs Lab (link)

Small grants are available for undergrad research:

UCSB, Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (URCA)
UCSB Faculty Research Assistance Program (FRAP)
EUREKA fellowships (Early Undergraduate Research Experience and Knowledge Acquisition)
Other UCSB grants
American Heart Association, Western States Affiliate Undergraduate Student Research Program

Receiving credit for undergrad research:

To be eligible for MCDB 199, major students must have completed at least 2 Upper Division Major MCDB/EEMB courses and maintain an U.D. Major gpa of 3.0 (major students who have between a 2.5 to 3.0 UD major gpa can qualify for MCDB 197). UD major students who don't yet qualify and Non major U.D. students who possess a 2.5 campus-wide gpa might qualify for MCDB 184 (internship). Lower division students might qualify for MCDB 99. Note that for every 50 hours of work it is worth 1 unit. Student can inquire and find the required paperwork and approval codes by contacting Andrew Kroes.
If MCDB 199 students continue working in the lab throughout the year many will likely qualify for MCDB's Departmental Senior Honors Program/Distinction in the Major Program (a total of 9 graded MCDB 199 units required). A Honors notation is placed on their transcripts, diplomas, the commencement book (if printed), as well as other benefits like special library privileges and a department reception at the end of the year. Contact Andrew Kroes for an application form and to check for your eligibility.
One unit of credit is also offered for MCDB 198 (Directed Reading) for active participation in our lab meeting. This unit will be in addition to the MCDB-199 units earned for working in the lab. "Active participation" means to regularly attend our lab meetings AND to give one research progress report (can be brief) AND to present one paper in journal club. Remember: more important than the extra unit is actually that you will have a chance to show off your work and demonstrate your ability to read and present scientific literature. I am hoping that almost everyone who is doing lab research will also sign up for MCDB-198 credit.

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 academically strong 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 your unofficial transcript (e.g. from Gold) to weimbs@ucsb.edu.