For undergraduate students

Looking to work in the lab as a research assistant?

We are no longer recruiting research assistants for the fall 2025 semester. However, prospective research assistants for future semesters can express their interest by emailing Dr. Martinez (martinezjose@ufl.edu) using the subject line “Prospective Undergraduate RA (semester and year desired)”

In your email, please include a copy of your CV/resume, general weekly availability, and a brief (3-5 sentence) description of your goals for joining a lab. It is also highly encouraged to list a topic (or two) you are interested in studying in the lab. See the research tab for a description of the work we’re currently pursuing.

NOTE: If you are looking to join the lab through a specific research program at UF (e.g., University scholars program, Research excellence program for undergraduates, etc), please indicate that in your email to Dr. Martinez as well.

Who are we looking for to join the group?

Prior research experience is welcomed but not required. In fact, we encourage first-year students to apply! The only requirements are strong motivation and curiosity.

For graduate students — Dr. Martinez is accepting students for fall 2026

What am I looking for in a graduate student?

First, and perhaps most obviously, you should be interested in the research topics and questions in the lab. That said, I have a range of research interests that aren’t yet represented in my published work. And undergraduate and graduate students often come in with outside-but-relevant interests that we end up incorporating. 

Second, I strongly value curiosity, motivation, and follow-through (commitment) in a student. There is no perfect “blend” of traits or characteristics that build researchers. But those three characteristics – curiosity, motivation, and commitment – are critical to all good researchers.