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. Undergraduates pursuing a BS or honors in Neuroscience will be required to complete experimental research within a laboratory setting.
Here are some tips on how to get started and what opportunities are available:
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 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 $5,000 stipend is awarded to accepted applicants.
The deadline to apply is April 8th, 2022. Please see the Handshake application here: https://uchicago.joinhandshake.com/jobs/5918825/share_preview
All applicants must submit faculty recommendation information via email to neuromajor@uchicago.edu.
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 $5,000 stipend. In addition, the host laboratory will receive funds to cover expenses related to travel, room and board related to conference attendance.
Letters of recommendation are to be emailed to neuromajor@uchicago.edu.
The deadline to apply is April 8th, 2022. Please see the Handshake application here: https://uchicago.joinhandshake.com/jobs/5918825/share_preview
bscd fellowships in quantitative biology
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.
The deadline to apply is April 8th, 2022. Please see the Handshake application here: https://uchicago.joinhandshake.com/jobs/5865390/share_preview
For program details and additional application requirements, please review the BSCD Undergraduate Research Opportunities webpage
The LEadership Alliance
The Leadership Alliance is a consortium of more than 30 institutions who have provided research and networking experiences to more than 4,000 young scholars with the aim of increasing the participation of underrepresented minority groups in higher levels of education and research. The Leadership Alliance’s Summer Research Early Identification Program (SR-EIP) is a rigorous summer research experience specifically designed for undergraduates interested in pursuing a PhD or MD/PhD. SR-EIP participants have the opportunity to conduct an independent research project for nine weeks under the guidance of a research mentor.
Required Materials for Application
- Biographical and academic information
- Current resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts
For program details and additional application requirements, please review the Leadership Alliance webpage here.
NESSTP Summer Research Program
The Neuroscience Early Stage Scientist Training Program (NESSTP) Metcalf internship supports independent research during the summer quarter for UChicago undergraduate students from under-represented groups who have an interest in Neuroscience research. No research experience is required. Interns are expected to work full time in a neuroscience laboratory on campus, toward completion of their proposed project, and participate in weekly meetings. The 10-week program occurs during the summer quarter and students may not register for any courses during this time. A $5,000 stipend is awarded to applicants.
The 2022 deadline to apply has passed. Please check back in 2023.
Jeff Metcalf Summer 2022 College de France Neuroscience Internship
The Jeff Metcalf Summer 2022 College de France Neuroscience Internship is open to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-year Neuroscience majors or minors.
Up to five students will be awarded a paid internship to support 10 weeks of independent research at the elite Collège de France, the Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epiniere or École Normale Supérieure. The internship will take place during the Summer quarter starting June 22nd, 2022 through August 28th, 2022.
The 2022 deadline to apply has passed. Please check back in 2023.
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.
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.