Student Research
As an R1 research university, Northeastern offers all students—undergraduate, masters, and doctoral—the opportunity to participate in a wide range of interdisciplinary research projects, and offers resources and support to encourage innovation. Students can perform research with faculty in their labs, as part of research centers, and on co-op, or conduct individual research. Students can also present their research at university events, and participate in regional, national and global competitions.
View engineering faculty profiles for research focus areas and lab information.
Graduate Students
For graduate students, the College of Engineering offers hundreds of paid research assistantships and fellowships each year. Some research opportunities are posted to the Northeastern Student Employment Job Board.
View a video on the experience of PhD students working alongside faculty on lifesaving cancer research.
In addition to all of the resources available in the college and accomplished faculty, students can take advantage of Northeastern’s university-wide research collaborations and initiatives with the PhD Network.
Undergraduate Students
Participating in undergraduate research allows students to enhance their learning experiences while still in school. Using the skills they develop, students will be more successful in their classes. Research also prepares them for an advanced degree or professional employment. Students can conduct their own individual research projects, work with a faculty member, or be part of a group project.
Learn about Kathrine Graham’s experience working at the ALERT research center as a mechanical engineering student, and Natasha Mundis’ experience doing research as a civil engineering student.
How to Find Undergraduate Research Opportunities
In addition to attending Northeastern’s annual Undergraduate Research Fair (called SOURCE: Showcase of Opportunities for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavor) available in early Fall, there are several ways to find a research opportunity that matches your interests:
- The College of Engineering also offers the UPLIFT Scholars programfor highly talented students. Scholars work in their faculty mentor’s lab starting their first semester freshmen year, with further opportunities for research during their later years at Northeastern. Scholars also receive programming and community building opportunities through Northeastern’s Center for STEM Education.
- Some research opportunities are posted to the Northeastern Student Employment Job Board.
- Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowshipswhere you can search for research opportunities, connect with faculty mentors, and find fellowships and scholarships.
- View faculty profilesto identify faculty research focus areas, and then contact individual professors in areas of interest via email or in person to find out who might need assistance.
- Check with College of Engineering Research Centers; some Centers are also National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) sites.
When looking for a research opportunity, have available the following:
- Formal resume – Resume writing support
- Letters of recommendation from academic faculty/professors – template for recommendations
Funding for Student Research
- Visit Northeastern’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships to explore a wide variety of scholarships and fellowships.
- Students with work study funds can use it for on-campus research positions
Research Opportunities Beyond Northeastern
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) sites
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE)-managed STEM Internships and Fellowships (link is https://orise.orau.gov/internships-fellowships/index.html)
- National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Contacts
ri.harris@northeastern.edu
m.nobrega@northeastern.edu
Recent News
Fall 2024 PEAK Experiences Awardees for Undergrad Research
Several COE, COS, and Khoury students mentored by COE faculty are recipients of the Fall 2024 PEAK Experiences Awards from Northeastern’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.
Measuring Microparticles With Precision
Sabrina Marnoto, PhD’25, chemical engineering, and Avi Patel, E’24, chemical engineering, are working on developing a novel device to measure the elastic modulus of microparticles. Their innovation could significantly benefit pharmaceutical drug delivery systems by ensuring precise particle measurements.
Student Club Is Innovating To Lower the Cost of Satellites
Matthew O’Rourke, E’25, mechanical engineering, and Rachel Rakushkin, E’26, electrical engineering, were awarded Mosaic Prototype awards from Northeastern’s Center for Entrepreneurship Education for their work developing technologies to reduce the cost of satellite components as part of the Project Horizons student club.