Below you will find a summary of everything you will encounter as you submit your UNLAB Application. Please read this over before applying. For questions about the program or application, email unlab@nhm.org.
Applications must be submitted through the National Science Foundation's Education & Training Application portal (ETAP). All applicants will need to create an ETAP account in order to apply. The link below directs you to the ETAP application landing page where you can click the blue “apply now” button!
Application Window
December 18, 2024–February 2, 2025 (midnight Eastern Time; 9pm Pacific Time)
About UNLAB
The UNLAB Program (Understanding Nature and Los Angeles Biodiversity) is hosted by the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC). It is intended for those who completed a bachelor's (B.S. or B.A) degree but lack substantial scientific research experience. NHMLAC encourages applications from those who have been historically excluded from and are underrepresented in the biological and paleobiological sciences. Such groups include, but are not limited to, those who identify as Black, Hispanic, Latina/o/x, Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Southeast Asian, LGBTQIA+, living with a disability, veterans of the U.S. Armed Services, women, or the first in their family to graduate from college.
“UNLAB” refers to the methodology employed by museum curators, where research happens in museum collections rather than in a traditional scientific lab. The UNLAB Program offers an intensive year as a full-time museum employee, conducting collections-based research that explores fossil or living species and the history of human impact on local biodiversity. Participants are paired with a museum curator and a co-mentor from another local institution, gather data for a research project in their focus area, reach conclusions based on those data, and summarize findings in a poster and oral presentation. Projects will focus largely on studying collections onsite at the museum. Participants will learn together in a variety of ways, including participating in a weekly Professional Development seminar series, weekly cohort meetings, and quarterly group day trips.
Participants will be full-time temporary, hourly employees with benefits, for a one year term (August 2025–July 2026). Work occurs at the Natural History Museum, with some projects involving travel to other collections facilities, research sites, museums, or field sites. Pay: $22/hour
UNLAB aims to train participants in biodiversity science, prepare them for research-based careers, explore opportunities for continued education, and enable them to:
LEARN:
- Collections- and field-based research methods, research project development, conference and symposium-style presentation
- Science communication and public engagement
- Weekly Professional Development seminars; example topics: R Studio, fellowship and graduate school application process, research presentation practice, interview skills, etc.
EXPERIENCE:
- Mentorship and networking opportunities
- Training in scientific research at a world-class museum
- Working with biodiversity scientists
- Exposure to museum and research-based careers
TAKE-AWAY:
- Career skills and personal growth
- Compensation for valuable, professional contributions
- A research project communicated through a presentation and/or written manuscript
Eligibility Requirements
As an eligible applicant, you MUST meet all of the following requirements:
- Your college graduation date falls between July 2021 and June 2025. Exceptions will be allowed for family-related circumstances, medical leave, or military service.
- You did NOT have substantial research experience during or following your undergraduate experience.
- Examples of substantial research can include: Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program or research that resulted in a product such as an authored or co-authored presentation (outside of a class) or publication.
- You have an undergraduate degree in a biology or natural sciences-related field.
- You want to spend a year gaining experience and building skills to support a future in the biological sciences.
- You are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful refugee, or permanent resident of the United States.
If you self-identify as belonging to a group that is underrepresented (or have experienced barriers) in biological science and or/museum careers, please mention this in your application.
Eligibility Certification
(Upon clicking the “apply now” button, applicants will be asked to confirm that the following information is true and accurate)
- U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful refugees, or permanent residents of the United States
- Have not been accepted into a graduate program
- Hold a bachelor's (B.S. or B.A.) degree in a biology or natural sciences-related field by June 30, 2025
Additional Application Requirements
We ARE asking applicants to submit:
- Undergraduate Transcript(s)
- Additional Questions or Materials
We are NOT asking applicants to submit:
- CV/Resume
- References
Application Questions
Question 1 Goal: Get to know the applicant.
Tell us about (1) yourself, (2) where you are in your undergraduate, job, or career journey, and (3) what interests you about biology, ecology, and/or evolution. (150–300 words)
Question 2 Goal: Why UNLAB and this specific experience at NHMLAC?
Describe your motivation for applying to this RaMP program, hosted at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHMLAC), and dedicating a year to conducting collections-based research. (200–300 words)
Question 3 Goal: How do they see UNLAB supporting their future goals?
Tell us about how UNLAB would support your interests in a future in the natural sciences. Please address all three of the following topics in your answer: 1) any future goals or next steps you are exploring; 2) biological or natural sciences areas you are passionate about; 3) your interest in exploring graduate school or ongoing education. (200–300 words)
Question 4 Goal: What are they looking for from the mentorship and professional development that is a part of this program?
A component of this program is guidance and coaching in research from an expert (called “mentoring”). Share with us why this is of interest to you. (200–300 words)
Question 5 Goal: What research experience do they have, if any? (choose one category)
Which of the descriptions below best describes your scientific research experience(s) as an undergraduate and/or following graduation? (Reminder: research experience is not required to apply to UNLAB, but we would like to better understand any experience you may have).
- Zero hands-on experience through coursework, independent study, or other means
- Research experience as part of a class (e.g., microbiology lab course research project), but no more
- Was part of a lab or semester project but was not involved in analysis or synthesis of the data; perhaps only in data collection, fieldwork, or other lab-related activities
- 1 semester/term/quarter(s) working on a research project (e.g., independent study research) in which you played a role in the data analysis. Note: if you have 2 or more semesters of this kind of experience, please choose the next category
- Participation in a research internship program (e.g., NSF REU) or worked in a laboratory or research setting
- Conducted research that resulted in a scientific manuscript or presentation (e.g., you presented the research at a conference)
Question 6 Goal: Learn more about the Research Experience they shared in the previous question.
Looking at your answer to the previous question, tell us why that category best describes your research experience. For any research experiences, use 1–3 sentences to describe the project, your role, and how long you participated. If you did not have any research experience, please share that.
Question 7 Goal: Understand why they have research experience gaps and how their unique experience might be an asset.
This program is intended to address inequities experienced as a result of barriers (societal, systemic, or other) to gaining research experience and continuing in careers in the natural sciences. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is working to create a community where all staff can express their whole selves and embrace their identity(ies) at work. Your lived experience may have presented barriers for participation in research, and/or may give you unique strengths that you bring to the program. How would your experiences and identity(ies) make you a good fit for this program? (200–300 words)
Question 8 Goal: Affiliation with NHMLAC (if any)
Are you now or have you ever been affiliated with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, either as an employee, volunteer, intern, program participant, contractor, or in another capacity? Please explain.
Question 9 Goal: How did you hear about UNLAB?
How did you hear about UNLAB?
Question 10 Goal: Final opportunity to share something with us.
What more would you like to tell us about yourself or your experiences?
Thank you for your interest in the UNLAB Program! For questions about the program or application, email unlab@nhm.org. Applications will close February 2, 2025.