Rush Chronobiology & Sleep Undergraduate Summer Research Internship

The Pediatric Chronobiology & Sleep Research Program and the Biological Rhythms Research Laboratory at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago IL, is looking for highly motivated undergraduates with a strong interest in behavioral research, circadian rhythms, and sleep for an exciting 12-week, 40-hour per week, summer research internship. The summer experience is designed to provide relevant and needed exposure to undergraduate students seeking careers in behavioral science research, particularly students from underrepresented populations in circadian and sleep research. 

How to Apply:

Submit the below materials by email no later than Monday, February 17, 2025, 11:59 PM CST.

1. Email a current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume to ieva_misiunaite@rush.edu.
2. Email a brief personal statement (about 1-2 page) to ieva_misiunaite@rush.edu. Discuss your specific reasons for seeking this summer research experience. Include 1) any past research experience; 2) past experience that demonstrates your ability to be flexible in your behavior in order to respond to a challenge (such as working unusual hours); 3) past experience working with children or adolescents; 4) your educational and career plans and why this internship is a priority for your academic/career/life goals; and 5) if you are part of an underrepresented population in biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences research (defined here: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-20-031.html), then please specify what underrepresented group you identify with and how your background informs your approach or viewpoint to circadian and sleep science.  Please put your name at the top of the page and in the file name.
3. Name of at least one academic reference (preferably a professor) who will provide a letter.  The applicant must request the letter and the letter should be sent directly to Stephanie_J_Crowley@rush.edu. 

Position Highlights: 

• Under direction of the Principal Investigator, Stephanie Crowley, PhD and in collaboration with other members of the research team, summer undergraduate interns will gain a basic understanding of human circadian rhythms and sleep, and perform technical or laboratory procedures of a routine nature and carry out experiments or tests under an established research design. 
• As a way to practice scientific literature search skills and presentation skills, undergraduate summer interns will choose a topic of interest related to circadian rhythms and sleep, learn more about this topic by reading the primary scientific literature and present your findings to the lab at the end of the summer.
• Summer undergraduate interns will be provided compensation for the summer experience.  No benefits (e.g., no health, dental, life, disability, 4013b, or pension) are provided. Travel and housing accommodations are not provided.  This internship is considered a summer experience, and currently does not offer class credit. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Be assigned to work on a large NIH-funded research project in the summer of 2025.
• Work 4 or 5 days each week—not always Monday through Friday, often Saturday and Sunday—on research protocols that involve working unusual schedules. Although we attempt to assign hours that correspond to time-of-day preferences, applicants must be able and willing to work on any of the following types of schedules for all or part of the summer program: “morning” shifts from 7:15am-3:30pm; “evening” shifts from 3:15pm-11:30pm; or “night” shifts from 11:15pm-7:30am. You will be assigned to one schedule for the entire summer. Sleep planning assistance (e.g., ear plugs, sunglasses, and light boxes) can be provided to help adjust to work schedules. 
• Carry out multiple facets of data collection with adolescent research participants in the laboratory, neuropsychological test administration, bright light treatment, and data entry. 
• Learn basic lab procedures, including assessment of circadian rhythms via salivary melatonin, behavioral sleep assessment tools, neuropsychological testing, and delivering light treatment.
• Learn ethical conduct of research with adolescent study participants.
• Appreciate the level of attentive planning and teamwork necessary to carry out a large-scale laboratory study. 

Required Position Qualifications:

• High School Degree.
• College course work in psychology, biology, chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology or related science; coursework must have included some laboratory components. 
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. 
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail essential. 
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task, remaining flexible and managing time effectively. 
• Proficiency with personal computers including Microsoft Office.
• Attend Rush University orientation (includes background check and drug screen).

Preferred Position Qualifications:

• Rising junior or senior is preferred.
• Previous courses or lab work in sleep or circadian rhythms.

Physical Demands:

• Position is in laboratory with exposure to potentially infectious or hazardous materials.   

Company Highlights:

• Rush was recently ranked first for Quality and Accountability among US academic medical centers in a study conducted by the health care performance improvement company Vizient.
• The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) has awarded Rush full accreditation for three years. Rush is one of the first academic medical centers in Illinois to receive this accreditation. 
• As an academic medical center, Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, is committed to advancing medical knowledge through research. Investigators at Rush are involved in more than 1,600 projects, including hundreds of clinical studies to test the effectiveness and safety of new therapies and medical devices, as well as to expand scientific and medical knowledge. 
• RUMC offers a competitive salary, outstanding benefits & the professional advantages of an environment that supports your development & recognizes your achievements. 
• Rush University is home to one of the first medical colleges in the Midwest and one of the nation's top-ranked nursing colleges, as well as graduate programs in allied health, health systems management and biomedical research.

Rush is an equal opportunity employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.