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:

  • 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:

Funding for Student Research

Research Opportunities Beyond Northeastern

Contacts


Campus banner with NU logo
Richard Harris
Associate Dean, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion,  Diversity Programs
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

ChE Student Makes the Most of Research Opportunities

Madeline Szoo, E’25, chemical engineering and biochemistry, has used research to discover her interests, working in multiple labs during her undergraduate career. Her work has earned numerous accolades, including the Trail Blazer PEAK Experience Award and the Stabile Scholarship from the engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi.

Using Exoskeletons To Increase Mobility

Bouvé/MIE Assistant Professor Max Shepherd is leading a team of graduate students, including Fatima Tourk, PhD’27, mechanical engineering, to create a battery-powered exoskeleton that is intended to assist people with mobility issues and enable complex movements without causing discomfort. He co-authored research published in Nature on a new lower-limb exoskeleton.

Northeastern Research Team Aids North Carolina Hurricane Relief

A student and faculty research team, led by CEE Assistant Professor Kelsey Pieper, is assisting hurricane relief efforts in North Carolina by creating databases to determine what buildings and wells have been affected by the storm. Working alongside Pieper are Professor Edward Beighley, Cassidy King, E’26, chemical engineering and environmental engineering, and Kyla Drewry, PhD’26, civil and environmental engineering