Students have an opportunity to transform knowledge learned in the classroom into tangible skills and to experience science as an evolving truth by engaging in research. Under the supervision of Neuroscience faculty, students develop valuable scientific techniques and problem solving skills while learning to function independently in a laboratory setting.
Students can work in a laboratory setting through several mechanisms. Interested students should do online research, utilize the CCRF resource, and read faculty and lab web pages to get a sense of the kind of research being done on campus. They should then read recent articles from those labs they think they are most interested in. Undergraduates pursuing a BS or honors in Neuroscience will be required to complete experimental research within a laboratory setting. Inquiries for laboratory research can be made directly to faculty - here are some tips on how to get started.
College Center for Research and Fellowships
The College Center for Research and Fellowships (CCRF) supports students as they pursue transformative experiences through scholarly undergraduate research and nationally competitive fellowships.
CCRF provides high-impact advising to all undergraduates interested in pursuing scholarly research, including:
- Assisting students in finding and applying to research opportunities at UChicago and beyond;
- Helping students to find Faculty and research mentors;
- Working with students to navigate and secure funding sources for their research; and
- Encouraging and supporting students to present and publish their research.
Quarterly drop-in hours, scheduling an advising appointment, and other information can be found on the CCRF website.
It is only through directly experiencing
the joys and tribulations of the research process
that students can discover their own affinity for
and interest in laboratory work.
Internships & Fellowships
Neuroscience research metcalf internship
The Metcalf Internships provide opportunities for students to conduct independent research during the summer. This opportunity is competitively awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year UChicago students majoring in Neuroscience.
Students must work with a UChicago faculty member (= Principal Investigator or P.I.) to develop an original project that is feasible within the confines of this 10-week program. Once accepted, student interns are expected to work full-time in a Neuroscience laboratory on campus, toward completion of their proposed project. Interns must also participate in faculty led weekly meetings.
The 10-week program occurs during the summer quarter and students may not register for any courses during this time. A $4,000 stipend is awarded to accepted applicants. Deadline for Metcalf Internship applications is expected April 2020.
Developmental Neurobiology undergraduate fellowship
The "Developmental Neurobiology Undergraduate Fellowship Opportunity" (DNUFO) is a summer research opportunity designed to facilitate cross-departmental collaboration. This fellowship will offer undergraduates the opportunity to take advantage of the breadth and depth of developmental neurobiology, while exposing them to research outside of their immediate interests. Fellows will also have the opportunity to foster personal networks within and outside the university.
Students will be required to perform 10 weeks of full-time research in their host labs, as well as various other responsibilities. Fellows will receive a $4,000 stipend and $350 to cover the Student Life Fee (optional but encouraged). In addition, the host laboratory will receive funds to cover expenses related to travel, room and board related to conference attendance.
Application deadline expected April 2020 through the Handshake Portal.
Dmitry kondrashov quantitative biology fellowship
The Quantitative Biology Summer Research Fellowship is an opportunity for students to complete a research project in any field of biology (e.g. ecology and evolution, systems biology, statistical genetics) using quantitative tools (e.g. statistical, computational, or mathematical methods). The research projects will be primarily computational in nature, although students may also engage in experimental data collection to support their aims.
In addition to working on research, students will take part in a regular student-led seminar facilitated by D. Kondrashov with the aim of acquiring new quantitative skills to support their research progress. The goal of the program is to create a community of undergraduate scholars and provide them with an intensive, interdisciplinary research and learning experience.
Application deadlines range from mid-February to early April. Please check the Biological Science Collegiate Division (BSCD) for more information about fellowship opportunities or CCRF for a searchable database of internal and external research and fellowship opportunities.
Neuroscience Internship at the college de france
This internship is open to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year Neuroscience majors. It is intended to broaden the scientific and cultural perspective of students who have already discovered an affinity for and interest in laboratory work. More information on the College de France and other international research opportunities can be found on the CCRF website.
Lunch with a Neuroscientist
Come learn about exciting research on campus!
Meet faculty members with diverse interests and get a chance to speak with them about their work. This is an opportunity to have a conversation about the big questions that keep these neuroscientists up at night. If you are interested in getting into neuroscience research, this is an excellent way to narrow down the type of approaches and topics that are particularly appealing.
Space is limited.
Check back in November for links to sign up.
