REU Site in Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology at UChicago
Opportunity Description:
The Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology at the University of Chicago is at the forefront of research in molecular mechanisms underlying cell biology and organismal development. Current faculty work on fundamental problems in biology using a wide range of model systems including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, plants, nematode worms, fruit flies, fish and mice. With funding from the National Science Foundation, the Department offers an exciting opportunity for talented undergraduates to acquire experience in research. This program is designed for students who are interested in attending graduate school and pursuing a career in science. MGCB Summer Internships allow students to devote themselves to research projects, working in collaboration with graduate students or postdoctoral fellows, to address important problems in biology.
Interns will be hosted by research laboratories in the department, most of which are housed in the Cummings Life Sciences Center, with several laboratories in a nearby building. Interns will have full access to the advanced instrumentation available in the host laboratories as well as in a large set of superb core facilities, including advanced light and electron microscopy, next-generation DNA sequencing, and a wide range of biophysical approaches.
In addition to research, interns will participate in workshops on communicating scientific results and ethics in research. See the schedule of activities here. Each student will receive a $6,000 stipend, plus $750 food allowance, plus travel expenses to and from the University. Housing will be provided, with comfortable accommodations within a convenient University of Chicago undergraduate dormitory.
Primary Responsibilities:
Based on individual student's preferences and faculty availability, each intern will be assigned a faculty mentor and will design a research project in close consultation with that mentor. Active participation in that research project will be the main focus of the summer.
Students will be expected to participate in research for at least 40 hours per week for the full 10 weeks, and may not enroll in classes or hold outside employment during the term of their internship. Students will also be exposed to the types of research being pursued in the department during weekly lunchtime seminars given by faculty.
Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements:
This program is limited to students whose home institution is not the University of Chicago. Participants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States and have a strong interest in research.
The MGCB REU program is designed to encourage and enhance the participation of students from schools without large research programs and from members of minorities currently underrepresented in the sciences. Applicants who are currently enrolled in institutions with PhD programs in Biological Sciences comparable to the University of Chicago will not be accepted. Applicants currently enrolled in their junior year of college are preferred, but students in earlier years will also be considered.
Application Process:
The link to complete an application is below. The application deadline is February 7, 2022, and successful candidates will be contacted during February-March.
Application link: https://apply-grad.uchicago.edu/apply/sumr