The MIT Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) enables undergraduate students to participate in real research at MIT. The SPL always has an impressive group of UROPs working closely with graduate students to make significant progress in electrospray research. A list of current UROPs can be found on the People page.
A UROP in the SPL is typically paired with a graduate student mentor (or sometimes, multiple graduate students) to assist with a project or problem that the mentor has identified. The UROP and mentor work together before and at the beginning of the semester to formulate reasonable goals and develop a plan for achieving these goals. The plan may include intermediate milestones, regular meetings, experiments, and documentation. The plan is usually informal and is bound to be adjusted as the semester progresses.
There is a vast and multidisciplinary collection of projects that previous UROPs have tackled. Check out this example published in MIT’s Undergraduate Research Journal (MURJ): Electrowetting Valve Manufacturing and Testing for Electrospray Thruster Production
Deadlines:
Application deadlines for direct funding and for credit are set by the UROP office. UROP projects are determined through discussions with mentors, so applicants must reach out to the SPL at least 2 weeks prior to the UROP office deadline to be considered for an SPL UROP. Otherwise, there will not be enough time to formulate and review a proposal. Exact deadlines vary by year, but below are typical direct funding deadlines for an average year:
| Semester | UROP Office Deadline | Deadline to Initiate Contact with SPL | 2024-2025 Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | during 2nd week of classes | 2 weeks prior to 2nd week of classes | UROP Office: 9/10/24 Contact SPL: 8/27/24 |
| Spring | during 1st week of classes | 2 weeks prior to 1st week of classes | UROP Office: 1/28/25 Contact SPL: 1/14/25 |
| Summer | mid April | early April | UROP Office: 4/15/25 Contact SPL: 4/1/25 |
Program Expectations:
Expectations of the UROP
Expectations of the Mentor
Be prepared to dedicate approximately 10 hours per week to research.
Weekly research schedules are typically flexible and some times will naturally be busier than others, but it is a good idea to budget at least this much time on average to ensure that you can fulfill your duties as a UROP.
Set reasonable and measurable goals and milestones early in the semester.
Goals will naturally evolve over time, but starting the semester with clear goals and expectations is an important aspect of a successful UROP experience.
Remain in contact with your mentor.
Both undergraduate and graduate students experience busy and stressful times throughout the semester, but it is beneficial for everyone to communicate transparently regarding expectations and progress.
Meet regularly with the student.
Progress meetings look different for everyone and will be project-dependent. A goal to tag up weekly is a good place to start, but the best result is something that feels helpful for all parties and may change as the semester progresses.
Submit a short (1-2 page) report at the end of the semester summarizing your work.
Documenting your work is crucial for it to be able to make a difference in the lab. Include any relevant charts or figures. This report should be submitted to your mentor before the last regularly scheduled day of classes.
Ensure that the UROP student has the resources they need to complete their project.
No one is expected to know everything right away. The mentor is there to point the UROP in the right direction at turning points in the project. This may include providing helpful literature or documentation, training on a piece of equipment, or helping to find or acquire parts that are necessary for the project.
I’m interested! What do I do?
Eligibility:
- UROP positions in the SPL are limited to registered undergraduate students at MIT only.
- In general, SPL UROPs must be located on campus in Cambridge, as most of the research is hands-on and performed in the lab.
- All other eligibility criteria set by the UROP office apply.
Apply:
To indicate interest in participating in a UROP with the SPL, send an email to spl-urop-app@mit.edu with the following information:
- Name
- Course/year
- Relevant courses (completed)
- Relevant activities (clubs, other UROPs)
- One page resume
We will respond to you and if there are UROP spots available, we’ll attempt to pair you with a graduate student mentor