The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics (BMB) at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis invites undergraduate students interested in completing an 8-week research program over the summer of 2025 to apply to our summer research program.
Students will join a lab that matches their interests where they will work on active research at the cutting edge of molecular biochemistry and biophysics. Research areas in the department range from single-molecule spectroscopy to molecular simulations to mitochondrial biochemistry. As well as conducting research, students will also attend workshops that cover various important areas in science, including how to design experiments, how to read papers, scientific communication, and guidance on graduate school applications.
Local housing, travel, and a $6,000 stipend is provided. Undergraduate Sophomore- and Junior-level students looking towards graduate school with less than 1-year of research experience are especially encouraged to apply, and we strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Applicants are encouraged to have completed their sophomore year by June 2025 (but may still apply as a sophomore), and the ideal candidates will be considering applications to graduate school post-bachelor.
If you are an international student, you must already be sponsored by your host institution; WashU is unable to sponsor visas for this program. Your visa must be valid through the end date of the program.
| Program Dates | Application Due By | Notification By |
| May 29 – July 27, 2025 | January 31, 2025 | February 28th, 2025 |
APPLICATION PROCESS
Application process: Our application process requires submitting a complete online application. You must include these required items:
- CV or Resume
- Academic transcripts (unofficial)
- Recommendation Letter: Emailed to bmbsummerprogram@wustl.edu. Please give your recommender at least 3-4 weeks notice to craft a strong letter.
- Personal Statement: Please provide a personal statement with the following headed sections. Each prompt should be answered within 250-300 words.
- What motivates and excites you about science, and/or what was your favorite science course?
- Provide a statement that showcases how your core strengths (e.g., courage, creativity, perseverance, determination) have influenced your resolve.
- Why are you interested in this specific program?
Applicants may choose to submit the following at their discretion:
- Optional Statement: Is there anything else you would like the admissions committee to know? (250-word maximum)
Apply for the SURGE Program here.
If you have any questions regarding the summer program, please email bmbsummerprogram@wustl.edu for assistance.