Undergraduate Research Opportunities

These are opportunities available to undergraduate students and alumni in the Department of Biological Sciences. Please email [email protected] if you have an opportunity to post for our students.

Volunteer/Paid Research Positions

The Abate-Shen laboratory in the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Columbia University Irving Medical Center is seeking to recruit hard-working, ambitious, and energetic individuals as part of their research team. Research in the Abate-Shen laboratory is focused on cancer biology, with an emphasis on the generation and analyses of mouse models of cancer. The research assistant will assist post-doctoral fellows and other research staff in their analyses of mouse models of cancer, and will assist in the day-to-day operation of the laboratory. 

This is an excellent opportunity for undergraduates seeking part-time research opportunities. Our laboratory is located on the health sciences campus, see our website @ https://www.pharmacology.cuimc.columbia.edu/research/abate-shen-lab.

For information or to apply contact Dr. Cory Abate-Shen at [email protected].

Posted September 6, 2023

Job Opportunities

Job Description

We are a young and vibrant group applying biological, physiological and computational tools to understand and identify new treatments for motor and sensory neuron diseases. The laboratory is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic research assistant with experience in molecular biology and in particular stem cell biology to support preclinical studies related to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and pain. The research technician will contribute to the intellectual development of a project, attend and present at lab meetings, and engage in the scientific community through opportunities to attend conferences and publish papers. The major responsibilities will include stem cell culture and differentiation, analysis of molecular disease-related phenotypes using patient and control as well as gene-edited iPSC lines, quantitative analysis of expression and sequence data, general molecular biology techniques such as immunohistochemistry, RNA isolation and PCR to analyze cells of interest. Additional work will include assistance with ordering, laboratory maintenance and animal husbandry. The candidate must be able to make a two-year commitment.

Responsibilities: 

  • Stem cell culture and differentiation
  • High-content imaging and physiology (calcium imaging/optogenetics)
  • Bioinformatic analysis of expression and sequence data
  • Mouse brain and spinal cord dissection
  • Purification of RNA and PCR
  • Perform tasks associated with ordering, animal husbandry, and lab uptake
  • Grant applications & protocols for Biosafety, Animals, and IRB
  • May assist with training other personnel

Requirements: 

  • Must be an enthusiastic, diligent and professional team player with excellent time management skills. Meticulous detail about laboratory techniques and documentation are required, as are the ability to work independently and as a member of a team. The candidate must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. The position requires accurately maintaining records of laboratory work in sufficient detail for reproduction of the experiments, organizing, analyzing and summarizing acquired data. The candidate may assist with drafting or contributing to the preparation of research papers, manuscripts or other documents for publication and/or presentation.
  • Education: BA/BS in neurobiology, molecular biology, or related field
  • Experience: One year of previous relevant laboratory work experience strongly desired.

Contact: Please contact and include Cover Letter, CV, & Transcript to [email protected]

Posted November 7, 2024

 

 

 

 

Job Description: A position for Associate Researcher is available at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. Reporting to Dr. Daniel Puleston and Dr. Mirela Berisa, the successful candidate will join a collaborative team implementing pioneering approaches to study metabolism across health and disease. Joining the Metabolomics Core Lab, you will be involved in all aspects of lab life, using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry approaches to assist in the study of metabolism across diverse indications, including cancer, immunology and microbiology. The successful candidate will work closely with multiple teams of researchers, with the opportunity of advancing scientific knowledge and will play a pivotal role in the day-to-day operations of the lab and running of our cutting-edge mass-spectrometry platform. This is an exciting opportunity to learn a rare and highly sought after skill set with day-to-day exposure to cutting-edge technology.

Candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree in the field of cell biology, chemistry, or a related area.

Responsibilities:

  • Collaborate with research team members to design and execute experiments
  • Contribute to the preparation of research reports, presentations, and scientific publications.
  • Participate in laboratory meetings, seminars, and training sessions to enhance scientific knowledge and skills.
  • Contribute to the development and optimization of experimental protocols and methodologies.
  • Conduct day-to-day operations and maintenance of laboratory equipment and facilities, ensuring they are in optimal working condition.
  • Execute sample preparation protocols for analysis by LCMS and GCMS
  • Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records
  • Stay updated with the latest advancements in metabolism research techniques, implementing innovative approaches when applicable.

Qualifications:

  • BS/BA
  • Excellent bench or instrument skills, with the ability to operate and maintain multiple laboratory equipment effectively.
  • Detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills and the ability to multitask effectively.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot technical issues independently.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, fostering collaboration and effective teamwork.
  • Experience with bioinformatic analysis, metabolic assays and/or mass spectrometry is advantageous, but not essential.

ContactInterested applicants should contact [email protected] and/or [email protected].

Posted October 31, 2024

Job Description: The Quad Preparatory School is looking for an Upper School biology and chemistry teacher for the 2024-2025 school year. Teachers will provide academic instruction and social-emotional support to students in collaboration with our clinicians. Our classrooms consist of no more than ten students, and some classes are taught one-to-one or in dyads. Teachers have the opportunity to receive mentorship, coaching, and support from the clinicians as well as academic administrators. A benefit of this position is the amount of professional development one will obtain in working with twice-exceptional youth and in being mentored by veteran special education teachers, academic administrators, and clinicians.

Required Education and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in special education, science education, biology or a related field
  • At least one year of paid experience teaching science or a related subject to middle and/or high school students or college undergraduates.

Preferred Education and Experience:

  • At least three years experience as a full-time high school science teacher.
  • Master’s degree in science education, special education, biology, or a related field.
  • Special education training, including training in the areas of gifted education and twice exceptional youth.
  • Secondary Science and/or Special Education teaching credential.
  • Experience teaching twice-exceptional youth.

Contact: Email Carol Starmack at [email protected]

Posted August 29, 2024

Job Description:
New York Military Academy (NYMA) is seeking a dedicated and dynamic High School Science Teacher to join our faculty. The ideal candidate will have the ability to teach Chemistry, Biology, Earth Science, and possess a basic knowledge of Physics. This fulltime position offers the unique opportunity to live on our beautiful campus, fostering a vibrant learning environment.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Science Education, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
  • Valid teaching certification.
  • Experience teaching high school science courses.
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Commitment to fostering a positive learning environment and encouraging student engagement. 

Contact: Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to [email protected] or [email protected]. In your cover letter, please explain your teaching philosophy and how you can contribute to the NYMA community. 

Posted August 29, 2024

The NYGC Early Career Development (Post-Baccalaureate) program offers recent graduates outstanding scientific training and research experience across faculty and non-faculty laboratories, leveraging the NYGC's distinct expertise in genomics, computational biology, technology innovation, and clinical genetic testing. Beyond their scientific work, participants will gain access to diverse mentorship, programming, and enrichment opportunities, introducing them to various career paths in the public or private sector, as well as opportunities for graduate studies. Program participants will be offered a two-year full-time position at the NYGC, starting in summer 2025.

Posted August 8, 2024

Job DescriptionThe Maciejowski Lab is seeking a highly motivated technician to join our genome integrity group. Our research focuses on the mechanisms of APOBEC3-dependent mutagenesis, the consequences of nuclear envelope disruption, TREX1 anti-tumor immunity, and ecDNA segregation. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain full-time research experience at a world-class cancer institute, which is ideal for those planning to pursue a PhD or MD/PhD program. Join us in our mission to advance our understanding of genome instability and its implications for human cancer. 
The Maciejowski Lab studies the APOBEC3 family of cytosine deaminases, which are major endogenous sources of cancer mutagenesis. Parallel work in the lab focuses on how nuclear envelope instability initiates innate immune responses and DNA damage. Our current goals are to identify the causes of APOBEC3 dysfunction in cancer and to determine the mechanisms driving DNA damage at nuclear aberrations like micronuclei and chromosome bridges. The lab approaches these questions using multidisciplinary techniques, including state-of-the-art imaging, genomics, gene editing in mammalian cell 

Contact: Please send CV and cover letter to John Maciejowski ([email protected]) to apply.

Posted July 23, 2024

Job Description: 

A position for Associate Researcher is available at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
in New York. Reporting to Dr. Daniel Puleston and Dr. Zeeshan Akhtar, the successful candidate
will join a collaborative team implementing pioneering approaches to study human disease
across immunology, cancer and organ transplantation. You will be involved in all aspects of lab life, helping in the conduct of pre-clinical research studies using models of infection and tumor
development, and the maintenance of human organs ex vivo to study human pathology. The successful candidate will be exposed to a range of cutting-edge technologies, including state-of-the-art metabolomics and mass spectrometry and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. Your role in assisting the perfusion of human organs for research, or prior to clinical transplantation, will require flexible working hours. This is an opportunity to join a welcoming and dynamic team doing unique translational research and we are looking for a passionate junior scientist to join us.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree in the field of cell biology, immunology or
biochemistry or a related area.

Contact: Interested applicants should contact
[email protected] and/or [email protected].

Posted May 15, 2024

AbbVie is seeking a highly motivated and creative Scientist to join our Protein Sciences group in the Chicago area. As a member of the small molecule drug discovery division, the successful candidate will leverage their advanced protein biochemistry skills to contribute to small molecule drug discovery programs and work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to further advance these innovative projects. 

Key Responsibilities: 

  • Design, develop, and optimize experiments for purifying recombinant proteins. 
  • Utilize SDS-PAGE, western blot, and other biophysical methods to characterize protein reagents. 
  • Provide scientific insights to resolve protein solubility, purity, heterogeneity, and yield challenges. 
  • Coordinate experiments with other project partners and address any issues in a timely manner. 
  • Continuously improve process performance. 
  • Draft technical reports and documents, communicate data effectively with other partners. 
  • Work independently and collaboratively with a team, taking accountability for technical performance and driving results. 

Qualifications: 

  • BS or MS in molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or related biological sciences. 
  • 5-7+ years of experience for BS or 2-5+ years of experience for MS. 
  • Firm understanding of protein purification technologies, including familiarity with AKTA purification systems. 
  • Prior experience supporting protein structural biology and biophysical characterizations is beneficial. 
  • Proficient in cloning and molecular biology methods is a plus.
  • Strong problem-solving and communication skills. 
  • Excellent record keeping and the ability to manage multiple projects in a dynamic environment. 

Position will be hired based on level of experience. 

Apply online. 

Posted April 19, 2024

 

The Clinical Research Coordinator in the BIRC-MS is responsible for the coordination and implementation of one or more research projects and assists in the daily activities of the clinical research center. A successful candidate has excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills, a professional demeanor, is organized, motivated, able to work independently and collaboratively, and is detail-oriented. Preference will be given to individuals who will be available for 2 years. Opportunities for promotion and job growth exist for those who are interested in developing a career in clinical research.
Individuals from diverse and under-represented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals who speak Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities include:

  • Research/Data Management
  • Assist in the activities related to clinical research studies including but not limited to: answering phone calls, screening participants for eligibility, registering subjects with sponsoring agency, administering questionnaires or cognitive tests.
  • Obtain informed consent and educate participants regarding study requirements
  • Lead the data collection in clinical research studies this includes but is not limited to screening, clinical data collection, neuropsychological test administration, and other standardized testing
  • Administer and score a range of neuropsychological, intellectual, and psychological assessment instruments
  • Recruitment and relationship development with community organization
  • Ensure participant retention throughout all studies
  • Assist on new grants, protocols and human subjects approvals across multiple study sites; prepare and submit grant progress reports (quarterly, yearly)
  • Prepare new protocol submissions, protocol amendments, and renewals of ongoing research studies
  • Summarize data gathered in clinical research studies (e.g., run basic descriptive statistics on study data)
  • Create study databases using simple systems (e.g., REDCap, Survey Monkey), assist in data capture, data extraction and simple analysis
  • Develop, maintain and implement procedures for data entry, data cleaning, documentation and other related tasks; Identify and recommend solutions to data management issues o Maintain knowledge of the current regulations and technologies related to data management

REQUIREMENTS

  • At least a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or related field
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to interact patiently and tactfully with cognitively impaired patients and research subjects
  • Strong communication skills (oral and written)
  • Experience working with human subjects regulatory offices, and with grants and contracts offices
  • Prior experience with grant management, progress reporting, and oversight of federally funded grants
  • Excellent database management skills
  • Proficiency in Windows Suite programs (Excel, Word, Access, Publisher)
  • Proficiency in Google Drive programs (Sheets, Pages, Slides, etc.)
  • Excellent analytic, troubleshooting, organizational and time management skills
  • Familiarity with Trello Software (web-based project management application) a plus
  • Proficiency with REDCap, eRAP, Endnote a plus

Contact: Interested candidates should send to Amanda Watsula: [email protected]
1. Resume
2. Cover letter
3. Writing Sample
4. Contact information for TWO individuals who are willing to serve as professional references

Posted April 4, 2024

Research and Career Resources

Through this web portal, the EVPR’s Office is providing a place where Columbia undergraduates can find research opportunities and mentors from across the entire university and Columbia faculty can post projects seeking undergraduate researchers. We hope our undergraduates and faculty take advantage of this portal to find each other to engage in cutting-edge research together.

The LifeSci NYC Internship Program offers the chance to complete a single application to gain access to paid internship and f/t job opportunities at dozens of NYC life sciences companies and organizations. Students from all majors are eligible to apply, as a wide range of science, tech, and business roles are offered.

The MSK Bridge program aims to provide post-baccalaureate trainees from traditionally underrepresented (URM) groups with a strong foundation in science and research, as well as guided mentoring that will help them successfully transition into biomedical PhD programs. Successful applicants to the program — known as Bridge Scholars — will conduct a research project in one of MSK’s scientific laboratories for up to 24 months. The overarching goal of MSK Bridge is to increase the participation of URM scientists in biomedical fields.

Bridge Scholars will receive a stipend of $41,000 per year. Health benefits are included. Housing will be available through MSK. MSK Bridge is part of the Maximizing Excellence in Research Education and Training (MERIT) program and is supported by Dr. Charles and Susan Sawyers, the Center for Experimental Immuno-Oncology, and for those entering computational labs, the Computational Oncology Program.

Thinking Caps is a boutique tutoring company that provides the following services to NYC-area students:

  • Study and executive functioning skills instruction
  • Individualized subject tutoring (including English, math, foreign languages, and science)
  • Test prep support (ISEE, SSAT, SAT, ACT, SHSAT, SAT subject tests, etc.)

Dates of hire: Ongoing

Spend two years teaching math or science in schools in low-income areas.

Dates of hire: Ongoing

Explore careers in Genetics posted to the ASHG job board.

Dates of hire: Ongoing

Explore careers in the field of primatology on the AVP job board.

Dates of hire: Ongoing

Explore careers in the field of Marine Biology on the MATE job board.

Dates of hire: Ongoing

Explore careers in Evolutionary Biology using a job board hosted by McMaster University.

Dates of hire: Ongoing

Explore careers in Cell Biology using a job board hosted by The American Society for Cell Biologists.

Dates of hire: Ongoing

Explore careers in Conservation Biology using a job board hosted by the Society for Conservation Biology

Dates of hire: Ongoing