How to Get Involved in Research

Students may wish to apply for research opportunities/internships as early as their sophomore year to gain experience in the field, while recognizing that many research opportunities may require coursework, computing or previous experience. Most students begin applying for summer internships their junior year, as these internships may provide students with the starting point, or in some cases the data, for their senior thesis project.

Getting involved in research requires you to do a little research first! Think about what research areas you want to explore further, as this will help to focus the search process. To find a research project at LDEO (Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory), for either your Senior Capstone or for lab experience, we recommend the following:

Search the LDEO site by Research Division, based on your interests
- Each research division links different projects that Lamont scientists are working on. If any seem of interest to you, we recommend reaching out directly to the PI (Principal Investigator) on the project to see if they have any open positions in their lab.
Lamont Research Assistant Opportunities
- Work Study: At the beginning of each semester, Lamont posts various work study Research Assistant positions. If you qualify for a Federal Work Study award, you can search and apply for these positions through Columbia’s Federal Work Study site under ‘Find a Job’ The Job IDs and descriptions for Fall 2024 are also posted in this folder to browse.
- Non-work study: Keep an eye on the DEES email listserv for advertised research opportunities at LDEO. Some jobs are also posted on University and Department websites. PI’s may advertise for laboratory assistants throughout the year.
Reach out to Professors
- If there was a particular class or project that peaked your interest, reach out to your professor! There is a chance they have an opening in their lab now or in the future.
Reach out to the Directors of Undergraduate Studies (DUS)
- If you already know of a research area that you would like to work in, you can email this information to the DUS who can provide you with the names of Lamont scientists to reach out to. It is not guaranteed that the suggested researchers will have openings in their labs, but the DUS are happy to make introductions.
Enroll in EESC 1006 in Spring semesters
- Beginning in Spring 2025, a new course EESC 1006 “What’s New in Earth, Environmental and Climate Science” will be offered each Spring. This is a seminar course where several Lamont scientists will present their research. The goal is to connect students to the wide variety of research projects happening at LDEO, with the potential to discuss research opportunities.
Enroll in EESC 3000 - Tutorial in Earth Science
- Enrollment in this course requires a faculty mentor and syllabus, where three hours per week of effort in the lab, group meetings, and/or one-on-one science discussion equates to 1 credit for a letter grade or P/F. This independent research course must have an intellectual focus, and not simply constitute lab work.
Earth Intern Program
- Every summer, LDEO runs a 10-week Earth Intern Program for Columbia and Barnard students, where students are mentored by a research scientist and get to explore what it is like to do cutting-edge research. Project descriptions and the applications are posted around January/February. For more information, please visit this site.
Senior Capstone
- We recommend you start thinking about your project idea towards the end of your Junior year in order to get a head start on finding a research project and mentor. For more information on the capstone requirement options, refer to the Senior Capstone site and these guides on the DEES Senior Capstone site.
Open House
- Each semester, DEES holds an Open House where the DUS review our programs, research opportunities, and Senior Seminar. Attending the Open House is a good opportunity to connect with Faculty and the DUS on possible research projects.

Please note that students cannot get paid for research while earning credit through any EESC research course. Conversely, students cannot receive academic credit for research they are getting paid to do.

Additionally, you can browse the links below for internship and research opportunities through Affiliated and Non-Affiliated institutions: