Inspiration
What the best research group websites have in common
Lessons from strong academic lab websites: clear missions, real people, current news and easy ways to join. Use these patterns to improve your own lab site.
Look at a hundred lab websites and the good ones share a handful of habits. None of them require a big budget.
They say what they do in one line
The best sites lead with a question or a promise: "We engineer enzymes to break down plastics." Visitors know within seconds whether they are in the right place.
They show real people
Faces, names and roles, including students and technicians. Photos taken in the lab, not stock images. Alumni lists that show where people went.
They feel alive
A news item from last month, a recently accepted paper, an open position. Even a small amount of recent activity signals a healthy group.
They make joining easy
A visible "Join us" link, clear descriptions of openings and an application route. Some labs use a short form so candidates send the same information.
They let the science be visual
Figures, structures, micrographs and field photos used generously, each with a caption.
They are easy to keep current
Behind the scenes, the best-maintained sites make updating easy: members edit their own profiles, publications are imported rather than typed, and news takes a minute to post.
Apply it to your lab
Labsite is built around these patterns: research areas with figures, people and alumni, news, openings with an application form, and publications that update themselves. Create your lab site or explore the example lab.