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Update: we are currently working on collecting info from professors to fill in the "Open Research Positions" page hosted on this wiki site, so that you can get a sense of which professors have what type of projects available in the coming years.

Obviously there is no right or wrong way of approaching a professor about research projects. Most commonly in our department this is done in person. Here is a couple of suggestions as of what could better prepare you before approaching your professor of interest and potentially help you establish yourself as a strong candidate for the position you are interested in:

1. Research about the professors/groups you are interested in:
   
   1. Check out the professors' websites at MIT's NSE: keep in mind some of them might be out of date, and not all professor listed on it is actively accepting students.
   2. Research about the professors' recent publications to get an idea of the projects he/she has. Two sites I like to start for searching for publications are:
      
      1. Engineering Village/Compendex: http://mv.ezproxy.com.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/search/quick.url?database=1&acw=
      2. Web of Science: http://mv.ezproxy.com.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/WOS_GeneralSearch_input.do?product=WOS&search_mode=GeneralSearch&SID=2AWV3POZSf6iXAnuVgI&preferencesSaved=
   3. Ask the graduate students that work in the group. These sites (currently under construction) would provide info on who to contact: Research Groups h/NSE/NSE+Student+Office+Directory+%28Excluding+PSFC%2C+RLE%29+10-2012
2. Email the professor of interest and politely ask whether he/she can meet briefly to discuss whether he/she has new opening and/or funding available.
3. Decide on a group/project. You should definitely decide by the end of first year.

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