Undergraduate Research in Physics

At K-State, research isn't reserved for graduate students. The Physics Department’s goal is for 100% of our undergraduate majors to engage in hands-on research during their time on campus.

Joining a research group gives you real-world experience, helps clarify your career goals, and gives you direct access to state-of-the-art laboratory equipment.

Why Get Involved?

  • Get Paid or Earn Credit: The vast majority of our undergraduate researchers are paid for their work, or choose to earn academic credit toward their degree (PHYS 400).

  • Build Advanced Technical Skills: Gain hands-on expertise in scientific computing, electronics, lasers, vacuum science, radiation detection, and particle detector fabrication.

  • Present & Travel: Share your findings at local symposiums and national physics conferences.

  • Win Competitive Awards: Research experience opens doors—our undergraduates frequently win prestigious national honors, including the Goldwater Scholarship and the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.

Whether you plan to head straight into industry, pursue medical school, or apply to graduate programs, undergraduate research is one of the most valuable experiences you can add to your resume.

How to Get Started

Finding a research spot is a flexible, collaborative process built around your personal interests.

Step 1: Explore Research Areas

Browse our faculty profile pages to see what projects are happening in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (AMO), High Energy Physics, Condensed Matter, and Physics Education.

Step 2: Contact Faculty

Reach out directly via email or stop by during office hours to express your interest in joining their lab as an undergraduate research assistant.

Step 3: Talk with Your Advisors

Discuss potential research directions and fit with your Academic Advisor or the Director of Undergraduate Physics Programs.

Funding & Campus Programs

In addition to direct lab hiring through the department, several campus programs support undergraduate research: