If you've identified a few professors that you want to reach out to, but you don't know how to go about doing that, check out some of the tips below! And if you have any you'd like us to add, drop us a comment in the "Contact Us" page!
Do a bit of digging into what the professor's research is about - even if there's stuff you don't understand, at least you'll have a couple of keywords or concepts that you're interested in and can bring up in your communications with the professor. This demonstrates that you've put in the time and effort into learning about what they do, and that you're not just interested in any research but theirs, specifically.
If you're taking a class with the professor you're interested in working with, you can ask them after class (or during office hours) to set up a meeting time to discuss/learn about their research.
If the thought of asking in-person gives you the willies, email is a good introductory move - give them a few days to respond, but don’t be afraid of sending followups! Most likely they’re not ignoring you, they just get an abundance of emails every day and missed yours.
In your email, it can be helpful to provide/mention: your year in the program; courses you've taken relevant to the research position; plans (if any) to pursue a higher degree; any prior research you've done; other faculty in the department who'd be able to vouch for you. A resume/CV suffices as well, though oftentimes showing interest and being proactive in reaching out works equally as effectively.
Some professors are notoriously bad at checking their emails, in which case, consider checking their office to see if you can catch them in. Or, try calling if they've specified a phone number.
If you are having trouble getting professors to respond, try contacting a student already working in their lab (graduate or undergraduate)! Students are typically more responsive and can help direct their PI’s attention towards your emails.
If you (or the professor) are not on campus to meet up and talk about their research, suggest using video conferencing (Skype, Zoom) or calling to communicate in real-time.
In this case, ask whether there is any remote work (simulations, prep work for joining the lab like reading papers, etc.) that can be done.