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:
- 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.
- 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:
- 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
- National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Contacts
ri.harris@northeastern.edu
m.nobrega@northeastern.edu
Recent News
How Regional Climate Patterns Prevent Large Scale Global Droughts
Danish Mansoor, PhD, civil and environmental engineering, published his research on “Regional responses to oceanic variability constrain global drought synchrony” in Communications Earth & Environment.
New Project Combines Biology, Music, and Math to Display Limb Regeneration
A project named “Morphogenesis,” led by Garret Compston and MIE/BioE Professor Sandra Shefelbine, uses Alan Turing’s pattern with musical representation to portray the biological process behind how individual cells, tissues and organs develop their specific shapes and structures when the embryo is still developing.
Free and Fair Internet Access for All
Ali Saeizadeh, PhD’27, is a graduate research assistant in electrical and computer engineering at Northeastern’s Institute of Intelligent Networked Systems, where he builds “digital twin” simulations of 5G and 6G telecommunications networks. His work aims at something ambitious: making free and fair internet access a reality for people around the world. Before completing his degree, he plans to intern at Apple and a smaller tech firm to compare perspectives across an industry he hopes to shape.