Homeschooled High School Student Summer Internship Opportunity at MIT -- Spend your
summer learning and doing state-of-the-art science in an MIT Research Lab!
Prof. Matt Shoulders' Group (https://shoulderslab.mit.edu/): The Shoulders Lab is broadly
interested in understanding protein folding in human cells and in the development of new
biotechnologies using directed evolution.
Prof. Michael Strano's Group (http://srg.mit.edu/): The Strano Lab seeks to understand
nanometer-scale phenomena using mathematics and chemistry and invent new technologies for
health, energy, food production, and materials science. The Lab is offering projects that span
engineering, programming, biology, chemistry, and energy.
Details: In total, we will be hosting 2–4 high school students from the homeschooled community
for 8 weeks this summer (~20 hours/week of work in lab and 10 hours/week of study outside
lab). Additional labs beyond the Shoulders and Strano Groups may also host students. If you are
interested in a career in science or engineering, this opportunity is a great way to gain experience
and learn what it is all about. You will be directly mentored by an MIT PhD student or
postdoctoral fellow to participate in frontier research in chemical biology, chemical engineering,
or the like, gain experience in both basic and advanced lab skills, become acquainted with the
scientific literature, and present at scientific meetings.
Requirements: Appropriate candidates for this internship will be homeschooled high school
sophomores or juniors at least 16 years of age by June 1, committed and mature, have a very
strong interest in chemistry, biology, and/or bioengineering, and a solid science background at
the high school level. The internship will involve a time commitment of ~30 hours/week over the
8-week period, paid at a rate of $12.75/hour. Candidates MUST be able to participate
continuously in the internship from June 8–July 31. This opportunity does not include travel,
MIT housing, or other accommodation. Parents will be responsible for all such arrangements,
including provisions for local guardianship for the student. MIT is committed to the principle of
equal opportunity in education and employment. All candidates are welcome.
How to Apply for the Internship: Send your resume, high school transcript, and a two-page
description of your background, what motivates you to pursue scientific research, and the types
of research that most interest you to Betty Lou McClanahan (blm@mit.edu) by March 10, 2020.
Candidates will be selected for phone interviews approximately mid-March.