Undergraduate Opportunities

Research Opportunities

There are many opportunities for students to carry out research in the laboratory of a faculty member in MCDB. A broad spectrum of state-of-the-art research activities is performed at Yale in the MCDB department and in related departments including the Yale School Medicine. This research is in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, neurobiology, physiology, computational plant sciences biology, and evolution. All interested students are encouraged to participate in research.

Fellowships & Educational Opportunities

COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION

The Dwight Hall Community Mental Health Fellowship program has opened applications for the 2024-2025 academic school year. This fellowship matches students to a mentor and fellows have the opportunity to engage in either research-focused (e.g. wet lab, clinical) or service-focused (e.g. community forensic services, psychiatric street outreach) projects. Throughout the program, fellows also have opportunities to network with mental health professionals and alumni of the fellowship. 

The application can be accessed using this link and is due by Monday, March 25th at 11:59pm. 

There will be an info-session about the fellowship on Monday, February 26th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Dwight Hall Common Room. Here, you will be able to hear more about the fellowship and hear about projects current fellows are working on. 

If you have any questions about the application process or fellowship, please contact any of the student coordinators:

Jennifer Okolo (jennifer.okolo@yale.edu)

Ariana Reichler (ariana.reichler@yale.edu)

Tramy Nguyen (tramy.nguyen@yale.edu)

47th Annual WCBSUR Conference (April 6, 2024; Santa Clara, CA)

The West Coast Biological Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference (WCBSURC) will return to the place of its origin, when Santa Clara University serves as conference host on Saturday, April 6, 2024.  The WCBSURC, established in 1976, is the oldest, continuously-operating, intercollegiate   conference of its kind in the nation.  As of 2023, it has been hosted by ten different universities and drawn participants from 213 institutions in 41 states plus Canada.   The purposes of the Conference are: 1) to provide a forum for undergraduate researchers topresent original data they have generated in the fields of biology, biochemistry or biophysics; and 2) to foster intercollegiate interactions among students and faculty who share a commitment to undergraduate research in the biological sciences.  More information about the Conference can be accessed at: https://www.scu.edu/cas/biology/beyond-the-classroom/wcbsurc/.

  • Several $300 travel grants will be made available on a selective basis to students coming from institutions that have not previously been represented at the WCBSURC.  Questions regarding these grants should be directed to Dr. Michael McConnell at mmcconne@pointloma.edu.   All other questions regarding the Conference should be directed either to wcbsurc@scu.edu, or to Dr. Justen Whitall < Jwhittall@scu.edu>.

YBC VC Series

Are you interested in the world of life science venture capital investing? Join us for the grand launch of Yale Biotech Club’s 2024 Spring Venture Capital Series! This program is designed to help Yale students gain insight into life science VC regardless of previous background or experience. Our series will start with four exciting keynote seminars, the first being a didactic lecture covering the basics of life science VC, followed by three discussion-based sessions led by experts in the field. All events are held virtually via Zoom and are open to all! The first four keynote speakers for the spring semester are:

·       Jorge M. Torres, JD: Thursday, January 11 @ 1-3pm EST

·       Dr. Robert Langer, ScD: Friday, January 26 @ 3-4pm EST

·       Dr. Fred Cohen, MD, PhD: Tuesday, February 13 @ 5-6pm EST

·       Dr. Vijay Pande, PhD: Tuesday, March 5 @ 4-5pm EST

To learn more about the speakers and RSVP, see this link!

SUMMER INTERN - Plant Biology Research

Company: Verinomics Inc.
Location: New Haven, Connecticut
Duration: Summer Internship (3 months)

Job Description: Verinomics Inc. is excited to offer summer internships in Plant Genomics & Gene Editing. This role is ideal for students who are enthusiastic about plant biology and eager to gain hands-on laboratory experience. The internship will involve supporting our research teams, primarily assisting with tasks similar to those performed by our technicians.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Assist in basic laboratory tasks under the supervision of senior staff, including preparing solutions, cleaning equipment, and organizing lab supplies.
  • Support routine experiments related to plant biology, observing and documenting results.
  • Help in maintaining plant tissue cultures and monitoring their growth under different conditions.
  • Participate in data collection and basic data analysis for ongoing research projects.
  • Learn and assist in basic molecular biology techniques as needed, under close supervision.
  • Attend and participate in team meetings and research discussions.
  • Understand and follow laboratory safety protocols and standard operating procedures.

Qualifications:

  • Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in Biology, Plant Science, Biotechnology, or a related field.
  • Basic understanding of laboratory practices and safety.
  • Keen interest in plant biology and research.
  • Good organizational and communication skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Internship Experience:

  • Hands-on experience in a professional research laboratory setting.
  • Mentorship from experienced researchers and technicians.
  • Exposure to real-world applications of plant biology and biotechnology.
  • Opportunity to develop professional skills and network within the industry.

Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and academic transcripts.

Verinomics is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce.

Apply to Join the Synapse National Leadership Team!

Interested in advocacy and leadership opportunities in the field of Brain Injury? 

Want to lead and shape innovative community projects, gain valuable leadership skills, and join a passionate team of service-oriented individuals?

Synapse National cultivates strong social support networks for individuals with brain injury through university chapters across the United States. We also strive to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders and advocates in the field of Brain Injury. 

We are looking for passionate individuals dedicated to our mission; no specific qualifications or educational level is required to apply! Our current team has individuals on a variety of career paths and includes recent college graduates, medical students, and professionals in the field of Brain Injury. Our team members engage in structured opportunities to mentor students, lead community initiatives, collaborate on research in the field of Brain Injury, and engage with our Synapse community across the nation. 

Detailed descriptions for open roles on the team can be found here.

Learn more about Synapse at our website.

Our application to join the Synapse National Leadership Team is now live!

Submit your application here by March 15th.

https://forms.gle/Z1iGmFTeLb2SdrK56

Please reach out to us at synapsenational@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to connect with current members of the team to learn more. 

Opportunity for Seniors

Studying Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College

In 2023 OVC ranked6th in the world for veterinary science, 3rd in North America and FIRST in Canada. As you probably know, we are fully AVMA accredited and are the oldest veterinary college in Canada and the US. 2023 marks our 161st year. We have close to 0% attrition here, and our students have consistently one of the highest rates of success in the NAVLE (the licensing exam for veterinarians).    All of our admission information is on our website, and on our site we talk about fees and resources. We have a wonderful peer helper for international applicants from our program, and she is graduate of Wellesley College from California. She can chat with interested students about life as a US student in our veterinary program. We also have an international student advisor that can help US students with organizing their transition into Canada, and a Facebook group where the incoming students share advice and get to know each other.

POST-GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT - Yale Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

The Luo Research Group (https://luogroup.research.yale.edu/research) at Yale Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science is seeking a post-graduate research assistant to contribute to our studies aimed at understanding the physiochemical reciprocity between cells and the extracellular matrix. Our lab works at the interface of material science, mechanobiology, and data science, to reveal the mechanistic underpinning of how cells perceive order in their environment and physical inputs from their neighboring cells. 

Training & Mentoring: The appointed post-graduate research assistant will undergo comprehensive training in image analysis, data processing, material formulation, and design. Mentorship will be provided directly by Dr. Luo, who places a strong emphasis on guiding each lab member toward the attainment of their career objectives. Dr. Luo is committed to fostering a collaborative environment where mentorship is integral to the success of every lab member.

Qualifications: We invite applications from individuals with an undergraduate or master’s degree in biology, quantitative biology, cell biology, or related disciplines. Candidates should possess familiarity with cell culture, lentiviral transduction, knockout mutation, confocal microscopy, and related techniques. If interested, please reach out to Yimin <yimin.luo@yale.edu> as we have an available position starting immediately. Whenever appropriate, the candidate will be nominated for fellowships. Application at the postdoctoral level will also be considered given the candidate’s skills, background, and interest.

POST-GRADUATE ASSOCIATE- Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology  

Training:

  • Participate fully as a member of the clinical and clinical research team as well as the translational research program in Yale Rheumatology by coordinating clinical (patient-focused) studies from conception to completion.
  • Learn to prepare and submit institutional review board applications to ensure adequate protection of human participants in biomedical research
  • Identify, assess eligibility, enroll participants in research studies.
  • Collect accurate health data from research participants for a variety of studies. Conduct a study using these data if you desire.
  • Coordinate collection and processing of various human specimens (e.g., blood, various tissues, buccal swabs, etc.). Conduct a study using these samples if you desire.
  • Work directly with clinical database manager to log and track biospecimens from human participants in clinical studies in rheumatology.
  • Prepare written progress reports and similar research study documents.
  • Coordinate the conduct of multiple simultaneous research projects.

Mentoring: The candidate will be mentored by Dr. Monique Hinchcliff. They will be encouraged to attend department conferences, lectures, grand rounds, and present research on a regular basis.

Education: Eligible candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in the biological sciences or a related field. This position is ideal for someone who is interested in gaining experience in clinical research prior to applying for medical or graduate school. Candidates should be self-motivated with a can-do attitude who enjoy talking to patients. 

To speak to the principal investigator, Monique Hinchcliff, MD MS, please send your resume and cover letter to: S.perez@yale.edu

This is a 1-year position. A second-year position may be possible pending approval by the post-doctoral office and available funding.

ROSETTA COMMONS INTERNSHIP & POST-BAC PROGRAMS in Biomolecular Structure & Design

RaMP: Post-Baccalaureate Training Program in Biomolecular Structure Prediction and Design

The Rosetta Commons Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates (RaMP) program is a one-year fellowship program intended for students from groups underrepresented in STEM, first generation college students, and students at under-resourced institutions to gain research experience to succeed in PhD programs.

Trainees in this geographically distributed RaMP program participate in research using the Rosetta Commons software. In addition to the research experience, the RaMP provides a training boot camp, extensive professional development, a research community, and specialized mentoring. Salary, health benefits, and funding for conference travel are included.

Mentees will conduct projects in these focus areas:

  • Protein design
  • Machine learning / AI
  • Drug discovery
  • Code development
  • RNA design

Apply Here!: https://etap.nsf.gov/award/478/opportunity/5314

The application will close on Sunday Feb. 25, 2024.

Job Opportunities

What is TEFL (Teaching ESL Certification)?

We offer globally recognized, certified TEFL course for those looking to gain teaching experience before their Summer in Japan (or just in general). We recently launched a new practicum for those with a TEFL certification who want experience teaching with real students and receiving personalized feedback from a mentor. Our 30 hour teaching practicum TEFL add-on includes:

  • TEFL mentorship with real ESL teachers

  • 30 hour Teach TOEFL exam preparation course ($250 value)

  • 8 hours teaching an online class with real students

  • 5 hours of coaching, feedback, and curriculum planning

  • 10 hours of observation and participation in online courses

  • Practicum certificate upon completion

Don’t have your TEFL certification yet? Use our promo code below for 15% off our Online TEFL Course! This code expires on April 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM PST. PROMO CODE: comeonoutnewsletter15

Wu Tsai Summer Undergraduate Fellowship

Interested in doing research at Yale next summer? The Wu Tsai Undergraduate Fellowships Program is an opportunity for Yale undergraduates to perform cutting-edge research at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, computer science, and engineering. Students from any major are invited to apply! Example research areas include the impact of trauma on memory, human-robot hide-and-seek games, and how flies estimate distance. 

The deadline to apply is February 23, 2024 at 3:00pm EST, through the Yale fellowship portal

For more information visit: https://wti.yale.edu/initiatives/undergraduate

Wu Tsai Undergraduate Fellows conduct research with a Yale-affiliated faculty member from May 28 – August 2, 2024. They participate in weekly workshops, seminars, and social events and present their work to the WTI community during a closing symposium. We provide a competitive funding package.

The program is open to first years, sophomores, juniors, and non-graduating seniors interested in interdisciplinary neuroscience of relevance to cognition or in neuro-related computing or engineering. Students do not need to have prior research experience or a commitment from a host lab before applying. We particularly encourage applications from students from diverse backgrounds or life experiences.

Applications consist of a CV, a statement of purpose, a diversity and inclusion statement, a letter of recommendation, and the names of up to three WTI-affiliated faculty you would be interested in working with (you can use our Email Template to reach out to prospective faculty). Students who have already pre-identified or are working with a Yale faculty member are also able to apply. 

Any questions? Feel free to schedule office hours with me, the Program Manager, or reach out to wti@yale.edu.

 
RESEARCH TECHNICIAN - Genes and brain circuits underlying sleep regulation

 
The Stavropoulos laboratory at the Waksman Institute and Rutgers University (https://www.stavropouloslab.org) is seeking a full-time research technician to perform research on the mechanisms that regulate sleep. Our studies use the fruit fly Drosophila to characterize genes and brain circuits underlying sleep-wake cycles. 

Bachelor’s degree in science and prior laboratory experience are required. Emphasis in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or neuroscience is helpful. Candidates should be highly motivated, enthusiastic about research, and able to work both collaboratively and independently. This opportunity provides an ideal training environment for those pursuing careers in scientific research and medicine. 

A two-year commitment is required. Applicants should send a cover letter, CV, transcript, and a list of references to Dr. Nicholas Stavropoulos (stavropoulos@waksman.rutgers.edu) or apply at the Rutgers portal (https://jobs.rutgers.edu/postings/220671).

TWO RESEARCH ASSISTANT POSITIONS RELATED TO ELMORE LAB RESEARCH

Two full-time research assistant positions currently open related to antimicrobial peptide projects. 

One of these positions relates to a collaborative project with Mala Radhakrishnan focused on the design of DNA-binding antimicrobial peptides. This is likely to be a primarily computational position (focused on molecular dynamics simulations, electrostatics calculations and charge optimization approaches), although it will certainly involve overlap with experimental validation in the lab. The full description for this position is at this link:

https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/wellesley/wellesley-staff/job/Wellesley-College/Research-Assistant_R0004501-1

The second position is part of collaborative work with Louise Darling focused on the systematic design of histone-derived antimicrobial peptides. It is expected that this would be a more experimentally-focused position considering microbiological, cell culture, microscopy and/or spectroscopic approaches to considering peptide activity and mechanisms. The full description of this position is at this link:

https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/recruiting/wellesley/wellesley-staff/job/Wellesley-College/Research-Assistant_R0004527

This opportunity is for recent graduates or others who might be interested in a 1-2 year position while contemplating graduate/professional school applications or careers in research. Please contact Don Elmore at delmore@wellesley.edu  with any questions about the positions.

OHSU PREP Accepting Applications

OHSU PREP 

Accepting Applications

Oregon Health and Science University’s (OHSU) Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 cohort. This is an excellent program for recent graduates who are seeking research and preparatory experience before applying to graduate programs in the biomedical sciences.

 
OHSU PREP is dedicated to reducing obstacles in graduate education. Our efforts involve creating safe and inclusive communities where postbacs can celebrate their achievements, cultural identities, and enhance diversity within academic spaces.

PREP is a paid, one-year research opportunity. The program supports and trains a diverse pool of recent college graduates from historically excluded groups for their transition into rigorous biomedical, research-focused doctoral degree programs (e.g., PhD, MD/PhD).

In addition to a year-long sustained research experience, OHSU PREP scholars will receive individualized competency-based professional and career skill development opportunities that allow for cultural immersion through interactions with near-peer mentors and OHSU faculty from marginalized backgrounds and allies alike.

Individuals who identify as members from racial/ethnic groups underrepresented in STEM (Black/African American, Latino/Latiné/Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Native American), those with disabilities, or individuals who are socioeconomically disadvantaged are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Program benefits include:

  • A competitive research assistant salary and health benefits (approx. $39k/year);
  • One year of mentored research experience in an OHSU biomedical research lab;
  • Skill enhancement through weekly program meetings, workshops, journal clubs, and graduate-level seminars to ease the transition into graduate school;
  • Professional development funds to support graduate school application fees, memberships, and travel to one national research conference;
  • Relocation support 

Attend an information session in January or February to learn more!
See linked flier to share with others.

Our application is now open and closes on March 1, 2024 at 11:59PM PT

Visit our website (www.ohsu.edu/prep) to learn more or register to attend one of our virtual open houses in January!

We welcome your questions! Contact us at preptograd@ohsu.edu