Student Research Visitors

The Student Research Visitors program provides an opportunity for currently enrolled university students at UCSF, UC Merced, and CSU Fresno, or persons on leave from an academic appointment; to visit UCSF Fresno to participate in an unpaid short-term educational, research, or academic project under the supervision of a UCSF Fresno faculty member.  Research Visitors are not employed or paid by UCSF payroll.  You may work closely with a faculty member on the project, but do not have patient contact.

In order to be considered as a Research Visitors for our institution, one of the below applications must be returned to our Visitor/Volunteer coordinator along with your CV/resume and evidence of student enrollment or employment.

The Visitor/Volunteer Coordinator will reach out to you directly when an opportunity becomes available and will guide you through the next steps of the process. We are very fortunate to have a great deal of community interest in volunteering and this interest often exceeds our available positions, though new opportunities are always arising.

Requirements & important information:

1. Your application does not guarantee placement with a mentor/project, but it does guarantee you will be placed on a list of prospective research visitors accessible by all UCSF Fresno faculty for at least one year.
2. Once selected, prospective research visitors are required to complete the appropriate paperwork (provided upon selection), as well as comply with the following:
   • Evidence of immunizations:
     • COVID 19 and booster.
     • Recent (within 1 year) TB test
     • Current seasonal flu shot
     • MMR-Rubeola, Mumps, Rubella-2 vaccines, OR serological testing to demonstrate immunity or signed declination
     • Varicella – 2 vaccines OR serological testing to demonstrate immunity or signed declination
     • Hepatitis B – Documentation of immunization (series of 3 doses) OR Documentation of titer OR Signed declination
     • Pertussis – Vaccination or signed declination
   • Verification of Financial Self-Support
   • Proof of Health Insurance
   • Pass a background check – ($35 to be paid by applicant)
   • Take/attend CITI, HIPAA, Safety, IT Security, and COVID prevention trainings prior to start date
   • Complete and pass EPIC training modules.
3. Failure to complete any step of the above results in immediate disqualification from conducting research with UCSF Fresno.
4. Research Visitors must commit to at least 6 – 8 weeks of work on a research project unless prior arrangements are made between the Research Visitors and faculty mentor.
5. Research Visitors must follow the provided dress code.
6. Research Visitors must not have clinical observerships/shadowing within their research time.
7. Research Visitors are provided a badge and if applicable, appropriate accesses.
8. Faculty are not limited to one Research Visitor at a time.
9. Individuals without a social security number cannot participate in research. No exceptions.
10. Research Visitors are only university students (UCSF, UC Merced, or CSU Fresno) currently enrolled at their home institution, or persons on leave from an academic appointment.
11. Research Visitors must be aged 16 or older.
12. Please be aware that it takes 6 weeks to clear a Research Visitor once all paperwork is received, so plan accordingly.

To apply:

If you have additional questions regarding volunteer opportunities, please email [email protected]