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.

Electrical & Computer Engineering student Spencer Lake Jacobs-Skolik shares his experience leading research, becoming a published author, and earning a Goldwater Scholarship – all as an undergraduate. Learn how Northeastern University’s College of Engineering provides research opportunities you can’t find anywhere else, and how those experiences DEVELOP/PREPARE passionate students for successful careers.

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:

  • For first-year students, the College of Engineering offers the the Undergraduate Program for Leaders in Future Transformation (UPLIFT) program, which is an academic year research program. In the fall, students are invited to attend a series of research seminars hosted by faculty. In the spring, selected UPLIFT students engage directly with engineering faculty to conduct research, ~3-5 hours each week. Students are then encouraged to apply for a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) in the summer. Additional support (office hours, monthly networking meetings, and research support) is provided by the Center for STEM Education.
  • Upper-class students interested in research are encouraged to apply for the CoS/CoE LaMP program.
  • Some research opportunities are posted to the Northeastern Student Employment Job Board.
  • Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships where you can search for research opportunities, connect with faculty mentors, and find fellowships and scholarships.
  • View faculty profiles to 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:

Funding for Student Research

Research Opportunities Beyond Northeastern

Contacts


Campus banner with NU logo
Richard Harris
Associate Dean,  Outreach, Engagement, and Belonging
Director of NU Program in Multicultural Engineering,  NUPRIME
Affiliated Faculty, Department of Africana Studies,  College of Social Sciences & Humanities


Mariah Nobrega
Mariah Nobrega
Assistant Dean of Research and Faculty Development,  Office of the Dean

Recent News

ECE Student Receives Outstanding PhD Student Award in Research

Ruyi Ding, PhD’25, computer engineering, is the recipient of an Outstanding PhD Student Award in Research, which recognizes those who have shown an exceptional ability to conduct high-level research and make contributions to the scholarly literature in their fields.

BioE PhD Receives Outstanding PhD Student Award in Leadership

Deng Li, PhD’25, bioengineering, received the Outstanding PhD Student Award in Leadership, which recognizes graduate students who have demonstrated significant leadership and a deep commitment to giving back to members of Northeastern’s community or surrounding neighborhoods.

CEE Student Receives GEM Engineering Fellowship

Nazira Cisse, E’24, environmental engineering, received a Graduate Education for Minorities (GEM) PhD Engineering Fellowship, which funds graduate studies in science and engineering for outstanding students from underrepresented communities.