Undergraduate Research
Optics Research
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in research as an undergraduate! You could work as a research assistant for one of our world-renown optics faculty, or participate in a summer REU program through the NSF.
Research with Institute Faculty
If you would like to conduct research with an optics professor, we recommend you:
- Explore research being conducted by current faculty
- Check out the websites of faculty that conduct research that interests you
- Start learning about the research area that interests you on your own
- Contact the professor to talk about their research and let them know you’re interested in working for them in their lab*
*Contacting a professor does not guarantee a research position.
Research with optics faculty can be done for credit or pay, but not both.
Expand Your Opportunities
Summer Research for Undergraduates
The National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsors summer undergraduate research programs across the country. All these programs pay a stipend to participants, and many cover housing and other expenses.
Several departments here at Rochester offer NSF research experience for undergraduates (REUs), including the Institute’s photonics’ program.
These programs are only open to US citizens or permanent residents.
Search the NSF REU Database