Description

Shanahan Foundation Fellowship at the Interface of Data and Neuroscience

The Shanahan Foundation Fellowship at the Interface of Data and Neuroscience is co-hosted by the Allen Institute and the University of Washington’s Computational Neuroscience Center. This three-year data science fellowship program has the following five aims:

• Integrate Data Scientists into Neuroscience Research – The Fellowship will serve to promote the entry of data scientists, with a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a quantitative field such as computer science, electrical engineering, physics, or mathematics with a background in statistical, computational and machine learning methods, into the field of neuroscience.
• Challenge Traditional Approaches to Neuroscience – Fellows are encouraged to develop novel research programs which push the boundaries of both data and neuroscience. Fellows will have independence in selection and focus of research direction with the Allen Institute and University of Washington throughout their fellowship term.
• Provide Multidisciplinary, Multi-organizational Co-Mentorship – Each fellow will be matched with two mentors (one from the Allen Institute and one from University of Washington).
• Network and Community Building – The Allen Institute and UW will facilitate the growth of fellows’ scientific and professional networks with ongoing opportunities to meet and interact with peers and established scientists.
• Career Development – First-year fellows will take the Allen Institute’s Summer Workshop on the Dynamic Brain course and serve as teaching assistants for the course in their second year. It is expected that fellows will present their research at relevant professional gatherings, such as the annual Neural Computation and Engineering Connection event, Cosyne, NeurIPS (formerly NIPS), and the Society for Neuroscience conference.

Working with mentors from the Allen Institute and the University of Washington, the Shanahan Fellow will design and carry out a project focused on quantitative analysis of neuroscience data available through the Allen Institute’s vast data banks – ranging from molecular, genomic, transcriptional, physiological, morphological, anatomical and functional whole-brain level in mice, non-human primates and humans or through analysis of data generated by ongoing laboratory work.

Application window open now until December 1, 2025!

Learn more about the program and apply here: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/internships-and-postbac/shanahan-foundation-fellowship/

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly. 

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment. 

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

A Day In the Life Looks Like:

• Gaining familiarity with Institute neuroscience data sets, projects, and scientific leaders and select a mentor at the Allen Institute
• Building relationships within eScience, Computational Neuroscience Center, and Applied Math at the University of Washington and select a co-mentor for your fellowship research program
• Developing a novel research program around Allen Institute existing data resources or ongoing projects which pushes the boundaries of both data and neuroscience
• Bringing cutting edge data science approaches (statistical, computational and machine learning) to bear on complex neuroscience problems to advance our understanding of the mammalian brain
• Participating in the Summer Workshop on the Dynamic Brain and, subsequently, serve as a teaching assistant for the course in a future year
• Mentoring a postbaccalaureate or undergraduate research assistant in applying computational approaches to neuroscience questions
• Publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at scientific conferences

This Role Requires: 

• Ph.D. in a quantitative field such as computer science, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or biology, awarded in the last 3 years
• Strong background in statistical, computational, machine learning methods, and/or other data science methods
• Proven track record of academic excellence and independent thinking
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
  

Where You’ll Work:

• This role is currently able to work in a hybrid work environment, with the remote vs on-site schedule to be determined by department and/or manager. The primary work location for Allen Institute employees is 615 Westlake Ave N. 

Annualized Salary

• $106,780*
  * Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits 

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a quantitative field such as computer science, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, or biology, awarded in the last 3 years
• Strong background in statistical, computational, machine learning methods, and/or other data science methods
• Proven track record of academic excellence and independent thinking
• Strong written and verbal communication skills