Careers

ISB Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences Program

Are you a current undergraduate student with an interest in biology, chemistry, computer science, information science, applied mathematics, and/or engineering? An internship at the Institute for Systems Biology (ISB), might be a good fit for you.

The application closes February 26, 2024. If you were unable to join the info session, you can still review the agendawatch the recording, and review the frequently asked questions.

The ISB Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences Program offers undergraduates with a diversity of backgrounds, career goals and experiences the opportunity to experience research side by side with experts in systems biology.

Important Dates for Summer 2024:

  • December 6, 2023 – Information Session via Zoom, review the agenda and watch the recording
  • December 11, 2023 – Application opens
  • February 26, 2024 – Application closes
  • March – ISB Scientists review applications, conduct phone interviews and make informal offers
  • First week of April – Formal offer letters sent to selected applicants
  • Late April – All applicants notified of their status
  • June 17 – August 2 – Required weeks at ISB facility, additional 3 weeks determined by student and mentor schedules


To support learning, student interns will:

  • Be paired with a mentor based on their interests. Students with a demonstrated interest in fields such as biology, chemistry, computer science, information science, applied mathematics, and/or engineering are all good fits for the types of research projects available.
  • Complete a research project developed with/by the student intern’s mentor
  • Be included in all events at ISB, including lab meetings and retreats
  • Participate in ongoing professional development including attendance at workshops, seminars, & team tasks
  • Complete a poster with the support of their mentor and other ISB staff to be shared at an ISB-wide mini-symposium
  • Be included (where applicable) on the development of publications that result from their research project

Logistics of research experiences at ISB:

  • The program selects a broad range of students, from current freshmen through to seniors with a diversity of backgrounds, career goals and experiences
  • Student interns will work 30-40 hours per week at the state of the art research facility in Seattle, WA
  • Student interns receive a stipend of at least $625/week or equivalent hourly wages
  • ISB does not  provide housing but some students will qualify for a housing stipend of $4200 and can choose from a variety of options including  summer intern housing at UW
  • To allow students from a variety of institutes to participate, interns will participate for 10 consecutive weeks during the summer that must include the seven weeks from June 17 to August 2. (e.g. a student from a semester system school might participate from May 29 to August 2 and a student from a quarter system school might participate from June 17 to August 24.)

Participant Requirements:

  • Authorized to work in the US
  • An undergraduate student who is enrolled in a degree program (part-time or full-time) leading to a baccalaureate or associate degree
  • A student at an accredited college or university in the United States
  • Planning to attend either an undergraduate or graduate program in Fall following participation in the program
  • In possession of a high school diploma or equivalent before applying to this program. (Note: current Running Start students are not eligible)

Please direct questions to internships@isbscience.org with Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences question in the subject line.