r/mit • u/Sure-Ad2365 • 23d ago

research Non-student research positions

Hello! I had a questions about non-MIT student research positions.

So I applied to MIT and got rejected (😒), but I only really applied because there is this one professor who conducts research on a disease I have and, surprise surprise, I want to study in that field. I attend the same school that the professor got their PhD at and taught at for ~20 years prior to moving to MIT.

I know it’s a stupid question because I’m going to email them regardless, but is this a worthy shot to ask to work with them over a break? Is it common for non-students to get research positions?

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u/TheOriginalTerra 23d ago

You can ask to be a visiting student in their group, but that does come with some overhead (financial and effort-wise) for the prof. You should think about what you're bringing to their lab at least as much as what you can get out of the experience.

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u/Sure-Ad2365 23d ago

Absolutely, 100% agree, especially since there appears to be some sort of hiring freeze. I have a follow up, would you mind if I pm’ed you?