Opportunities
Join Our Research Team
The SMART Lab is a home for students and collaborators interested in skeletal muscle aging, regeneration, exercise adaptation, heat therapy, injury recovery, and human physiology. We are especially excited to work with people who are curious, dependable, and eager to learn how research is done.
Current Opportunities
PhD Students
We welcome prospective doctoral students interested in skeletal muscle physiology, aging, regeneration, exercise adaptation, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and translational interventions for muscle health.
Good preparation includes:
- Coursework or research experience in exercise science, physiology, biology, biochemistry, kinesiology, or a related field
- Interest in human subjects research, muscle biology, or molecular and cellular methods
- Strong writing, curiosity, and commitment to collaborative research
Master's Students
Master's students contribute to active SMART Lab projects while developing their own research skills and thesis direction.
Students may help with:
- Participant visits and data collection
- Exercise, heating, recovery, or muscle function protocols
- Sample processing, literature review, data analysis, and presentation of findings
Undergraduate Researchers
Undergraduate students at BYU can join the lab as research assistants and gain hands-on experience with human physiology and muscle research.
Typical expectations:
- Interest in muscle physiology, exercise science, medicine, physical therapy, research, or related areas
- Dependability with scheduled lab work and study visits
- Willingness to learn research methods, data organization, and scientific communication
Collaborators & Visiting Researchers
The lab collaborates with researchers whose work connects to muscle aging, injury, regeneration, exercise adaptation, heat therapy, biomechanics, rehabilitation, or human performance.
Reach out if you are interested in:
- Collaborative studies
- Shared datasets or methods
- Student training, presentations, or multi-lab projects
Why Join SMART Lab?
Human Muscle Research
Work on questions directly related to skeletal muscle health, aging, injury, recovery, and adaptation.
Hands-On Training
Gain experience with research protocols, participant interaction, sample handling, data analysis, and scientific writing.
Collaborative Mentorship
Learn alongside faculty mentors, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers in a team-based lab environment.
Scientific Communication
Build skills for abstracts, posters, presentations, publications, and graduate or professional school preparation.
Translational Impact
Contribute to research aimed at preserving muscle function and improving health across aging, disuse, injury, and recovery.
Career Development
Develop habits and skills that support careers in research, medicine, rehabilitation, exercise science, and health professions.
Interested?
Send a short note about your background, research interests, and what kind of opportunity you are looking for.
Get in Touch