Faculty Openings
Find current faculty employment opportunities listed on the Dean of Faculty site.
Summer Research Opportunities: Science Undergraduate Research Fellows (SURF) Program at Amherst
Two programs provide summer research opportunities for Amherst College students:
- The 2021 SURF program involves an 8-week commitment and focuses on research in science, statistics, and mathematics fields.
- The SRP program runs for 6-8 weeks and supports students in all areas of academic research.
Both programs are open to non-US citizens/residents.
SURF Program
The 2021 SURF Program is an 8-week program, running from June 7 - July 30, 2021.
The SURF (Summer Science Undergraduate Research Fellows) Program provides opportunities for Amherst College students to immerse themselves in a hands-on, collaborative science research project for 8 weeks* during the summer. Research fellows work closely with their faculty mentors to design and execute their research project, and all Fellows take part in group educational and social activities. In early fall, Fellows present their findings at Amherst's annual poster session and are then encouraged to present their work at a regional or national conference. Fellows receive on-campus housing and a salary based on minimum wage, so pending hours reported, fellows are paid between $480 - 510 per week. (*In the event that the 2021 must go remote for health and safety due to the nature of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the program will be modified to 6 weeks. Candidates will be notified in time to decide whether or not they would like to continue in a remote version of the program.)
Summer 2021 SURF Opportunities
Are you a first- or second-year student considering a career in science or as a medical professional? A SURF research experience may help you determine if this career path is right for you by providing you with valuable research skills, experience using state-of-the-art instrumentation and research techniques, and connections to a vibrant community of research scientists. Find out more about faculty research areas and Amherst's SURF program.
NEW THIS YEAR: We will be planning several live & recorded SURF panels with former SURF students and 2021 SURF mentors. Once these panels are scheduled, that will be posted here and in the Daily Mammoth.
Summer fellows have contributed to recent breakthrough discoveries at Amherst: “[Prof.] Hall...said his team’s experimental work arose out of interest from Amherst summer student researchers at a group meeting in 2011...”
Some SURF Fellowships are discipline-specific and include unique components. Learn more about specific funded SURF opportunities and their requirements.
Students interested in applying to any of the fellowship opportunities below should complete the common SURF application before March 1, 2021.
Learn more about the SURF program: The 2019 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
External Summer Research Opportunities for Undergraduates
The Fred Hutch site (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center) offers a pdf list of biomedical research internships offered nationwide. This site features approximately 260 biomedical research internships... for high school, under-graduate, post-baccalaureate, graduate, and first-year medical students.
Frequently the Chemistry Department receives notices of summer research programs for undergraduates; see these opportunities below.
Caltech Summer Research Opportunities. Questions about these programs can be directed to Carol Casey at casey@caltech.edu or (626) 395-2887. Interested students are invited to join us for the following information sessions: WAVE Fellows Information Sessions throughout November - The WAVE Fellows program provides support for talented undergraduates intent on pursuing a Ph.D. to conduct a 10-week summer research project at Caltech. The WAVE Fellows program aims to foster diversity by increasing the participation of underrepresented students in science and engineering Ph.D. programs and to make Caltech's programs more visible and accessible to students not traditionally exposed to Caltech. The program is extended, but not limited, to racially-minoritized students, women in certain fields, first-generation college students, geographically underrepresented students, educationally and financially disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities. Eligibility: Students must be current sophomores through non-graduating seniors and must be U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or students with DACA status. A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required. Competitive applicants will have completed sophomore-level courses in desired research field, have demonstrated through academic and/or co-curricular activities a passion for research, and can articulate how their research interests align with Caltech's research areas. The most competitive applicants will have prior research experience. Support: WAVE Fellows will receive a $7,100 award for the ten-week program. An additional $2,000 on-campus housing supplement and $300 travel supplement will be provided. Application: Online applications are due January 9, 2023. Click here for more information.
Broad Summer Research Program (BSRP) - broad.io/bsrp - The Broad Summer Research Program (BSRP) offers students who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM disciplines the opportunity to conduct intensive research in a collaborative community. BSRP participants spend the summer performing original computational or experimental-based research in labs across the Broad Institute’s research areas, from cancer to infectious disease to computational biology. In addition, the program features a rich curriculum outside the lab that emphasizes career development, personal development, and teamwork in a small cohort. Deadline: January 10, 2023; For more information, contact: bsrp@broadinstitute.org
Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio) - Cancer-focused Summer Undergraduate Research (CanSUR) Program, funded by the National Cancer Institute. Annuallyt the CanSUR program supports 32 undergraduates for a 10-week period (June through August). Participants receive a stipend of $4,000 for the 10-week program, and housing and travel allowances are available for non-local appointees. Applications are due January 13, 2023. Click here for application.
Octant Apprenticeship Program - recruiting recent graduates seeking a one-year full-time research experience in chemistry, multiplexed assays, bioinformatics and synthetic biology. Learn more here. Please apply here by January 14, 2023 for the Octant apprenticeship program.
Amgen Scholars Information Session - Caltech's Amgen Scholars Program is geared towards students in biology, chemistry, and biotechnology fields. Some of these fields include biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, medical engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, and chemistry. Eligibility: Students must be current sophomores through non-graduating seniors, must be attending a four-year university in the US or US territory at time of application, and must be U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or students with DACA status. A minimum GPA of 3.2 is required. Support: Amgen Scholars will receive a $7,100 award, round-trip air transportation, and campus housing. Application: Online applications are due February 1, 2023.
Broad Biomedical Postbaccalaureate Scholars (BBPS) Program - broad.io/bbps - BBPS is an innovative, two-year program that offers participants a comprehensive, structured, and immersive experience that includes groundbreaking research and academic and career guidance. BBPS participants will perform research as paid, full-time Computational Associates or Research Associates, working alongside leading scientists within the Broad Institute. Eligibility: Seniors or recent graduates who majored in the biological, physical, or computer sciences, engineering, or mathematics, and are interested in pursuing a graduate degree (M.S., Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D.) Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. Deadline: February 20, 2023; For more information, contact: bbps@broadinstitute.org
National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF REU) Sponsored by the NSF, these programs typically provide generous stipends and room and board to perform summer research at large research universities. A comprehensive list of programs and application information is found at the link above. Applications are typically due in late January or February. A list of nearby programs are provided below:
Penn Summer Program in Infectious Diseases Research, SPIDR. It is affiliated with the CFAR Scholars Program. Application due February 1, 2023.