To get a UROP, students usually go through the following steps:
How this process unfolds varies widely from student to student. We’ll discuss how to accomplish these steps below. You should start Step 1 at least 2-3 weeks before the Direct Funding deadline.
In Course 8, almost no UROPs are advertised or posted on a job board. You have to find the opportunity yourself. To do this, you have to find potential faculty supervisors. Then, you have to email them and express your interest in working with them.
On the rare occasion that UROPs are posted, you should be able to find them through elx.mit.edu or through the Physics Student Newsletter sent out by Cathy Modica to Course 8s.
To accomplish the first step, ask yourself the following questions:
Once you have a better idea of your interests, skills, and goals, look through the Physics Department site and create your list of potential faculty supervisors.
Also look through research institutions such as the Center for Quantum Engineering (quantum computing and engineering), IAIFI (AI/ML for physics), MIT Kavli Institute (astronomy, astronomy instrumentation), or the Plasma Science and Fusion Center (nuclear engineering, fusion energy). You may be able to find non-physics professors who align more with your interests.
While most “faculty supervisors” are indeed faculty members (i.e., their title is some variant of “Professor”) you can technically be supervised by non-faculty. Some students have been supervised by postdoctoral scholars who have funding from fellowships such as the Pappalardo Fellowship. Some students have also been supervised by Principal Investigators or Research Scientists (see MIT Kavli for examples).
During this step, talk to upper-level students to ensure that your choices are good research mentors and that their lab groups have healthy research cultures. In addition, make sure that they’re still at MIT and they’re not on sabbatical. If you don’t know any older physics students, ask in the Course 8 Discord.
Once you have a list of potential supervisors, send them an email—not all at the same time though! Email your first choice first, wait for a couple of days, and then follow up. Faculty are busy so send 2-3 follow-up emails before moving on to your next choice.
In your email, include the following: