Undergraduate Students
Research Options for Undergraduates
How to apply (for undergraduate students):
If you are interested in working in the lab as an undergraduate, please read through the available options below before inquiring.
To apply for any position as an undergraduate researcher, please email Dr. Crawford directly and include the following:
In the email:
Introduce yourself: name, major, year of intended graduation.
Say what position type(s) you are interested in.
Say why you are emailing: what do you want to get out of this experience and why you are interested in this lab.
Attach your CV/resume including any relevant courses (science/math/sci comm) that you have completed and courses you are currently taking.
Students interested in Spring term for the 2023-2024 academic year should reach out no later than the last week of November 2023. We are especially interested in new first or second-year students (experience not required for internships or course credit).
Internship / Volunteer Opportunities
Internship positions are available at the volunteer level for students at all experience levels. Project type will be chosen depending on your interests, previous experience (if any), time commitment. Some scenarios:
Students who wish to see if this type of research is for them.
Students who wish to see if this lab is for them and gain the needed background knowledge before applying to a funded position.
Students without prior research experience are welcome to volunteer in the lab. Projects may be available within the general lab or under the supervision of a specific senior lab member. First-year students should consider the FYRE program (see Funded positions, this page).
Students with multiple commitments who would normally consider course credit (i.e. 3-6 hrs/week) but do not wish to enroll in credit. Note this is for students who do not need the course credit (they have enough credits with their current enrollment), not that they do not have time for course credit. The time commitment, benefits and responsibilities are the same.
Students who wish to do their senior/honors thesis in the lab. Please inquire with specific information and we will meet to see if you are eligible for funding and/or with your advisor to determine if this is a volunteer or course credit option.
Students in internships will have the same benefits and responsibilities as those taking course credit (see below).
For internship positions, please inquire at least 3 weeks before the start of the term you are interested in, and earlier is better.
Course Credit
Positions are available for students through Biochemistry course credit. Options through other programs may be available but check with your advisor first. Project type will be chosen depending on your interests, time commitment, and class type.
You must speak with Dr. Crawford and your advisor to design a course plan before enrolling in credits.
Possible courses may include: BIOC 499/499H, BIOS 498/499/499H, BIOC098, MBIO 498, UHON 99H/499H.
For course credit, please inquire at least 2 weeks (but preferably mid-way through the term before) before the registration deadline for the term you are interested in.
Funded positions
Positions with funding for student salaries are available through a variety of sources. Links to the funding organization are in the title.
Note that for all funded opportunities (except the FYRE program) you must write a proposal on the work you plan to complete prior to applying. Therefore you need to know relevant background information and have an idea that this lab is right for you. The easy way is to work in the lab for 1-2 semesters prior to writing a proposal, but this has significant equity considerations. Therefore, we offer other opportunities to see if this lab is the right fit for you and for you to learn the background information necessary to be successful. Please contact Dr. Crawford to learn more.
Some options include the following:
UCARE. The Crawford lab posting is on the UCARE webpage.
UCARE is open to all students and can be awarded multiple times/student.
Note that a UCARE application requires you, the student, to write a research proposal with the assistance of Dr. Crawford.
If you are interested in UCARE, please inquire at least 2 months prior to the UCARE deadline so that we can discuss projects that will work for you and so that you have time to write and revise a proposal with Dr. Crawford's help.
This is a great opportunity for students to demonstrate a competitive research opportunity on their CV.
Because the UCARE proposal is research-method intensive, it is recommended you have research lab experience (in addition to relevant courses) before applying. Students may want to consider volunteering in the lab for 1-2 terms prior to writing a UCARE proposal to get a better idea of possible projects. At a minimum, we recommend you join us for lab meeting the term before UCARE proposals are due (Fall term) at 2x (1hr each)/month.
If you are interested in UCARE, please inquire at least 2 months prior to the deadline (the deadline for both summer and the following academic year deadline is typically early in spring semester (UCARE program link and our posting our posting).
FYRE. The FYRE program is for first-year students only. Eligible students will be invited the summer before their first semester to select from available postings, link on the FYRE page.
Dr. Crawford is an ARD faculty member and can support your application to this program.
This program is open to students with junior or senior standing and can be awarded once/student.
Note that this application requires you, the student, to write a research proposal, including a budget, with the assistance of Dr. Crawford.
If you are interested, please inquire at least 2 months prior to the deadline so that we can discuss projects that will work for you and so that you have time to write and revise a proposal with Dr. Crawford's help.
This is a great opportunity for students to demonstrate a competitive research opportunity on their CV.
Because this is a full funding proposal (research-method intensive plus additional documentation), it is highly recommended you have research lab experience (in addition to relevant courses) before applying and have a specific project in mind. Students should consider volunteering or working in the lab via another method for 1-2 terms prior to applying to this program.
If you are interested in this program, please inquire at least 2 months prior to the deadline (typically mid-January, ARD research program information).
INBRE Scholars Program. The Crawford lab posting is located on the INBRE labs page.
The INBRE Scholars Program is administered through UNMC and supported through an NIH IDeA program grant.
INBRE is intended (based on the NIH-funding that supports the program) for students who desire to attend graduate school with a research emphasis related to biomedical research.
This is a two-year research-intensive program that begins the summer between sophomore and junior years.
Funding is provided for the entire program. Additional funding is available for conference travel.
Sophomore students should inquire as early as possible to begin application development. Applications are typically due in the Fall semester.
Other programs - a number of other options are appropriate for the types of projects and training opportunities available in the lab. Some include:
Scientific foundations: American Society for Microbiology, American Society for Virology, American Heart Association
National Societies: NIH, NSF
Internal (lab-based) funding directly from the Crawford Lab
Most of these programs include research-specific applications. Please contact Dr. Crawford at least 2 months prior to your deadline if you wish to apply.
6. Programs external to UNL. These programs are great for your individual career development. If you wish to apply and would like a letter of support, it helps if Dr. Crawford knows you (through courses, or even better through a research experience in the lab). Please give at least 3 weeks notice if you need a letter (especially for the first letter). Some programs include:
REU programs: both at UNL and other universities. The link to UNL's virology program is at UNL'S Virolgoy REU page for students enrolled at a university other than UNL. For UNL students, many REU programs are available elsewhere and are a great way to gain different (paid) experiences and check out 'next steps'.
Fellowship programs: McNair, Fullbright, Truman Scholars, Goldwater. UNL's fellowship page.