Finding Research Opportunities

Columbia University offers many ways to gain research experience in neuroscience. Whether you worked in a lab during high school or are seeking your very first opportunity, engaging in research during your undergraduate degree can be a beneficial part of the student experience, especially if you're considering graduate school in neuroscience or related fields. Joining a lab gives you firsthand experience in the process of scientific research as well as the chance to apply your learning outside the classroom. 

Where to Begin?
At the Zuckerman Institute, you'll find over 50 labs conducting cutting-edge research across various neuroscience disciplines.

The first step is to do your homework and get to know the science at the Institute. It is important to identify specific labs you would like to work in. Take a thorough look at the subjects studied and the specific areas of research in each of our principal investigator's labs. Come up with a short list of 5 or 6 scientists whose research sounds interesting and excites you. Don't feel that you must get into the lab of a "big name” established scientist, the lab’s current research projects and work culture will be what will shape your experience the most. In most labs, you won't be working directly with the principal investigator (PI), but will be assigned to work with a lab technician, graduate student, or postdoctoral researcher.

Best Practices
Students looking for research opportunities typically reach out to PIs or their lab managers via email to ask about whether they would be willing to take on an undergraduate interested in doing research in their lab. Some students have found it useful to reach out to a senior graduate student or postdoc whom they hope to work with directly. There are excellent best practices guides located elsewhere, including this one from Barnard’s Neuroscience & Behavior Major, and we have linked to some video tutorials at the bottom of this page (note that the Zuckerman Institute is not responsible for the content located in the external links below).

Be strategic:

Don’t select more than a few labs or PIs to focus on at one time. If available, review the lab websites for information about current projects and to make sure that you are following any preferred procedures.

Tailor each email. Make sure to include a couple of succinct but specific reasons you want to join that particular lab and any qualifications you may have—and never add multiple PIs to the same message.

If you are planning to join a lab as part of a course or a senior project for credit, have applied for a summer fellowship and are looking for a mentor, or are searching for a paid position, be clear about that in the email as well.

The undergraduate home page on the Zuckerman Institute website also has links to other research opportunities on campus.

Additional Opportunities
If you are still exploring your interest in research and just want to get a sense of what a lab is like, consider some of the following:

Take a class
Many majors offer "Research Methods" and other lab-based courses on specialized topics in mind, brain and behavior, that allow you to sample different aspects of neuroscience research without a full commitment. A few of these classes are held at the Zuckerman Institute.

Starting fall 2026, we will be offering an introductory course for freshman and sophomores featuring lectures from a number of PIs at the Institute: PSYC1980 Zuckerman Institute Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (ZINC) Undergraduate Lecture Series: Models of Mind, Brain, and Behavior.

The Psychology and Neuroscience and Behavior majors now offer the independent research course for as little as 1 credit, or ~3hrs/week. 

Join a club
Columbia and Barnard support several pre-professional, pre-health, journal/publication and other special interest clubs with a focus on mind, brain and behavior.

Columbia's undergraduate neuroscience club, Columbia Neuroscience Society (CNS) hosts an annual research fair. At this, PIs, postdocs, and graduate students will table with information about their research and opportunities for undergraduates to get involved. CNS also hosts a conference at the Zuckerman Institute each spring, Encephalon. This conference is geared towards undergraduates and features the Institute's PIs as well as research talks and presentations by undergraduates.

Kickstart Your Research Journey
Browse the Zuckerman Institute website for lab descriptions to find a match for your interests. Search by research topics, or people.

Speak with your academic advisor or departmental director about incorporating research into your schedule.

Visit the links below to learn more about the research requirements and opportunities for your major. You may need to follow additional guidance from your home department.

If your major isn't listed, feel free to reach out to [email protected] so we can help you navigate your options.

We are piloting a new process to connect Columbia and Barnard undergraduates with research opportunities at the Zuckerman Institute. Please check this page in the coming months to learn more.