Research

Become immersed in faculty-led research while gaining professional hands-on experience on a topic that aligns with your academic interests. Experiences are available to work full-time/full-semester with RPI faculty, at other U.S. institutions, or internationally. Opportunities are also available at Albany Medical School, Mount Sinai, and more for pre-health students looking for medical research experience. Research Planning and Registration

Please Note: Students should be registered for ILEA 4400 by the Add Deadline of their Away Term. Any student not registered is at risk of disenrollment after the fifth week of that term.

Options

  • Research at a lab or medical facility (domestic or international)
  • Research at another institution (domestic or international)
  • Research opportunities with Rensselaer faculty

Requirements

Arch research opportunities may run for the full Fall semester (August-December) or the full Spring semester (January-May). Typically, students are not taking classes during the summer following the junior year, so they are open to extend spring experiences through the summer months (as applicable).

Note: Students must satisfactorily complete a mandatory LMS course during their semester-away experience.

Search for an Opportunity

Research at RPI: Connect with RPI faculty directly to learn about opportunities. (Note: ILE Research is not the same as URP. There can be no credit for this experience. Contact Office of Undergraduate Education for additional information.) 

Guidelines for Research w/RPI Faculty during Arch Away Semester

  • Students are permitted to work either in-person or remotely during the Arch away semester. (Note: Remote work requires Payroll approval)
  • Students can work up to a full-time schedule (i.e., up to 40hrs). The work schedule is determined based on project needs and funding constraints.
  • Arch research opportunities may run for the full fall semester (August-December) or the full spring semester (January-May). Typically, students are not taking classes during the summer following the junior year, so they are open to extend spring experiences through the summer months (as applicable). 
  • It imperative that students have paid opportunities. ONLY paid experiences are permitted and officially registered as Arch ILE Research.
  • There can be NO UNPAID research experiences.

Process to Register ILE Research 

Securing Research Opportunities with RPI Faculty

Students must complete all administrative processes for the Arch program in order to secure any away semester opportunity. 

  • Selection of ILE-Research in the Student Information System (SIS)
  • Completion of a web form 
  • A letter of support from faculty (offer letter)--verifying the research opportunity (on institution letter head is required). 
  • To finalize registration, all supporting documents should be submitted to the: Office of Undergraduate Education at: oue@rpi.edu 

THE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE IS NOT APPROVED UNTIL ALL OF THE ABOVE HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED.

Faculty Offer/Support Letter

  • Length of assignment (maximum of 40 hours per week) and rate of pay (NYS minimum wage is the base; the rate can be higher based on available funding); summarize scope of research 
  • Agreement that assignment/project modality (remote or in person)
  • Expressed support for the student to submit all LMS assignments, which includes final report of research project.
  • Written on RPI letterhead, with faculty signature
  • Templates are HERE 

Specific Questions??? Contact Office of Undergraduate Education 

Securing Research Opportunities Beyond RPI (Non-RPI Research): The Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) supports non-RPI research search and registration experiences. To begin your search, visit Handshake or make an appointment with a CCPD counselor.

Non-RPI research: 

  1. Log into sis.rpi.edu to record your Away Semester plan.
  2. Go to Handshake to upload your offer letter and resume and to answer a few questions about your experience (Handshake > Career Center > Experiences > Request an Experience)
  3. CCPD will verify and approve the plan and send approval to student email.
  4. You must attend the away-semester briefing, Preparing for Your Away Semester 2.0.
     

Office Contact for Questions and Guidance

Office of Undergraduate Research -RPI Related Research

Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) - Non-RPI Research

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