How to find a Research Position in the US

I got asked this question in a forum, so I figured I should post this on my page as well. If you are into Surgery, then look at the Department of your interest.
Past publications are not that important (they are not bad either!). You need to find people who are faculty in Surgery at some uni that you are interested in, and that are ACTIVELY involved with research. So,
1. You find out what university you would like (think broadly, not just the what-you-think-is big names)
2. Go to the Department of Surgery website and find out if they have any research going on (90% there is a link 'Research')
3. Find out who are the Surgeons doing research
4. Go to pubmed, and search for their names
5. If their past paper was 2 years ago, dont bother and look for somebody else
6. When you find somebody who is actually doing research, email them, letting them know who you are, what you are doing now and what you want to do. This is called a letter of intent (you show your intentions). Attach your CV. Let them know that you WANT to do research (besides that you need it for residency) and that their research topic is interesting to you (eg sepsis).

NOTES:
A. USMLEs are NOT necessary, since you will have no patient contact. However, it is a lot better if you are done with USMLEs, since this way you show you are a serious person and not just looking around, and when you will be doing research, you will not need to study for something tedious as Biochem.

B. Any communication with people you find on the net that can be crucial. So make sure you have no typos, and your grammar is perfect. Your future may depend on this, so make sure your email and CV are PERFECT. Keep reading them on your own before you send them to make sure it doesn't get better. Have somebody who speaks English better than you read it (don't ask too many people though).

C. Mention in your letter that you are looking for a volunteer job (aka no money). Let me remind you that you are not looking for a job (if that is what you are interested in, dont do research), but a way to increase your competitive-ness for residency or applying for a fellowship or professorship in the future. If they are looking for somebody to do research, then most likely you don't have the experience to be as good as a lab tech with years of experience. So if I had a salary to give out, guess whom I would give it to? Having 5-7 publications or even more, is priceless, and look at it as a great investment. If you think you cannot afford it, try to afford it. If you still cannot, don't do research. Look for a preliminary spot (in case you ultimately want to do residency). However the prelim spot will have NO OTHER value. Publications put your name out there; make your existence known to the world. Once you get your foot in the system, and you show you are productive, you can ask for money. If they like you, they will find a way to pay you. However, if you go to do resaerch at a very small place, where there is no funding, it will be more difficult (if a center has basic science/bench/animal research, they have funding somehow, so it is a good sign).

D. For an H1 visa you will need a salary when you sign a contract. That makes your chances very bad. Why would anybody want to hire you when they don't really know you and you are a salary and difficult visa (it is difficult for some assistance to file for H1 compared to J1, MUCH more difficult)? I personally would not - never. Know that there are many others that will do this for free and just a J1. Ask your self if you really need a H1? Don't blindly believe rumors that a J1 research has a 2-year requirement. Two friends of mine had no requirement with a J1 visa. Your country might be different than mine - Greeece, so look into it carefully. Asking for an H1 is not good for you.

E. Expect to send A LOT of emails. Most will never respond. Some may. Don't email more than twice to the same people. If you email to more than 1 in the same place, don't copy/paste the same email for god's sake. Consider, taking a trip to the US (everybody has friends or relatives here) and then travel in the US to go to universities/hospitals that interest you, and make an appointment with some of the Faculty who does research. Show your face, be pleasant and hope for the best.

~ Good luck