BSCD Quantitative Biology Summer Fellowship - 2026
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This role is not benefits-eligible.
Fellowship Award Amount: $5,500
- Please complete the BSCD Fellowship Preference Form, which is required if you're applying for this fellowship:
- Please download the Educational Assignment form from the attachments section. Complete the form to the best of your ability. If applicable, you may also have your faculty mentor complete their designated portion. Finally, upload the completed form along with your other application materials.
BSCD Quantitative Biology Summer Fellowship
About the Fellowship
The quantitative biology summer research fellowship is an opportunity for students to pursue 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) and to learn new quantitative ideas and skills. The research projects must be primarily computational in nature, although students may also engage in experimental data collection to support their aims. In addition to working on research under the guidance of a faculty PI of their choice, fellows will participate in learning activities facilitated by the fellowship director, Dr Kondrashov, with the aim of acquiring new quantitative skills to serve their research aims and to enhance their expertise, which will include participation in a series of workshops on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence led by the Research Computing Center. After the first two weeks, fellows will develop their own learning projects, work on them daily and share their progress at a weekly meeting. To support these aims, the program will foster a community of undergraduate scholars to help each other learn and grow in the interdisciplinary field. The Fellowship awards a $5500 stipend for the summer research period, as well as $1500 for research expenses and supplies made available to the PI.
Duties and Responsibilities
The purpose of this summer fellowship is to complete a research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor as well to participate in collaborative learning projects together with other fellows. You will work on research tasks with the guidance of your research mentor, identify quantitative questions and share them in the weekly seminar with the other fellows. Additionally, you will identify specific learning objectives together with other fellows and achieve them with the guidance of the fellowship director. These may include substantial data analysis, programming using a high-level programming language (e.g. R or python), learning new software, or using high-performance computing resources at the University. All fellows will be expected to read research papers and find information resources necessary to advance their projects. At the end of the summer period, you will present your research results in a mini-conference.
Requirements
The main requirement is interest in quantitative biology, demonstrated by coursework or research experience in biological sciences and quantitative methods broadly defined. Specific necessary skills include experience with at least one high-level programming language (e.g. python, R), knowledge of basic statistics and data analysis, and mathematical modeling. Your experience in one or more of these areas can be demonstrated either through coursework or relevant research experience. Some biological experience is required, but a declared biology major is not necessary. Excellent teamwork and a desire to learn in a collaborative environment is essential. The work will not require physical skills beyond operating a computer.
Class Level Eligibility
Undergraduate students who have completed at least one year in the College.
Required Materials
- Statement explaining your interest in quantitative biology, including quantitative background, biological questions you would like to study, and the skills that you would like to acquire or expand; plus a short explanation of how you can benefit from and contribute to the group learning projects. An existing research project or PI is not necessary (if you are offered the fellowship, the director will help you find a mentor), but if you would like to continue a project that you have started, then describe it.
- Resume or CV
- Unofficial Transcript
- Please complete the BSCD Fellowship Preference Form, which is required if you're applying for this fellowship:
- Please download the Educational Assignment form from the attachments section. Complete the form to the best of your ability. If applicable, you may also have your faculty mentor complete their designated portion. Finally, upload the completed form along with your other application materials.
Please submit all materials as PDF Files.
Expiration Date
March 20, 2026