Careers in Biological Sciences
From CRISPR gene editing technology to global climate change solutions, biologists are using new breakthroughs to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. UChicago offers a world-class biological sciences curriculum and comprehensive career support to prepare students for these rewarding careers, including bioengineering, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, public health, sustainability, and more. Students of all years and majors are welcome!
College students and alumni pursuing clinical career pathways such as allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medicine are encouraged to connect with our Careers in Healthcare team that provides comprehensive support in preparing for the health and medicine application process. Careers in Biological Sciences supports UChicago students that don’t intend to attend medical school, leveraging a rich UChicago liberal arts core and biological sciences curriculum to pursue meaningful career pathways in research, education, policy, business, and other interdisciplinary fields.
Pathways
Explore all of the pathways within biological sciences, and start your journey today impacting science, healthcare, and society through the study and application of biological principles.
Coursework at UChicago prepares future leaders in these areas – more information about the different pathways through majors and minors offered through the Biological Sciences Collegiate Division can be found here.
PERSONALIZED ADVISING
Dave Lerner, Program Director of Careers in Biological Sciences, received his PhD in Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology from the University of Chicago before teaching middle school science and designing curricular resources in the Denver Public School District. Dave also gained experience working with students as a Teach for America corps member in Chicago. Dave serves as the lead adviser for students interested in pursuing biological sciences career paths - you can schedule an appointment with Dave on Handshake or contact him directly at dlerner@uchicago.edu.
GET INVOLVED
Careers in Biological Sciences sends an industry-specific list of events, internships, and full-time opportunities - sign up for the program listhost to get updates about upcoming programs and application deadlines. Gain experience and meet employers and alumni at Career Advancement professional development events, including a Career Pathways Spotlight series and workshops/panels connecting students with a variety of employers and graduate programs.
GET EXPERIENCE
While at the University of Chicago students pursue a range of research and internship opportunities to prepare for meaningful career paths in academia, industry, non-profits, and government. Many students gain hands-on research experience with faculty members at UChicago, a preeminent center for biological and biomedical research. These experiences effectively prepare students for top graduate programs and professional schools to continue their scientific training for impactful career paths in research and healthcare.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Students work in University research labs throughout the Biological Sciences Division, participating in basic and translational research in fields such as neurobiology, ecology, molecular biology, computational biology, public and global health and more. Students can also conduct research at our affiliate institution, the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Students also have opportunities to present their research and gain a BS degree by writing a thesis based on their work. Recent University of Chicago student research projects included:
- Imaging at the interface of the biological and physical sciences, including in vascular surgery, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine (SURFBOARD program).
- Elucidation of gene regulatory networks via interrogating chromatin accessibility and DNA methylation profiles in cells from patients vs. healthy controls (Chromatin and Epigenetics program)
- Understanding the role of Hippo signaling in asymmetric cell division of Drosophila neural stem cells (Fehon Lab)
- Evaluating the role of extracellular ATP plays in wound healing of epithelial cell in Clytia hemispherica (Malamy lab)
- Investigated how the phytosulfokine pathway may contribute to early senescence in plants (Greenberg Lab)
- Investigated the signal meaning and function of captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) (Mateo Lab)
To learn more about how to get involved in University of Chicago research, find opportunities and explore fellowship programs, visit this BSCD site.
INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
Students intern with employer partners and organizations including national laboratories, biotech organizations, museums, zoos, aquariums, legal firms, and non-profits where they gain experience and exposure to roles and organizations leading efforts in environmental legislation, sustainability and conservation, pharmaceuticals, STEM outreach and education, and more.
University of Chicago internship hosts have included:
- Alliance for the Great Lakes
- Argonne National Laboratory
- Cascade Forest Conservancy
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Chicago Biomedical Consortium
- Climate Impacts Research Centre
- Heat Biologics
- Illinois Medical Professionals Action Collaborative Team
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Shedd Aquarium
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Appointments to explore career paths and potential future opportunities of interest are available on Handshake with Dave Lerner, Program Director of Careers in Biological Sciences.
CAREER EVENTS
Events allow students to meet with alumni and employers as they inform their career paths and learn about roles and organizations of interest. Career Advancement also organizes treks, career exploration experiences that bring groups of students to meet with alumni and employers throughout the United States and around the world. Past biological sciences speakers and employer hosts have featured professionals working in research, medicine, consulting, medical communications, patent law, education, biotechnology, conservation and sustainability, global and public health, and more.
Trek hosts in Boston, North Carolina, San Francisco, and Seattle have included:
- Abbvie
- BillionToOne
- Biogen
- Conservation Law Foundation
- Ginkgo Bioworks
- Flatiron Health
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
- Impossible Foods
- Marine Biological Laboratory
- Ramboll
- Seattle Aquarium
- Shape Therapeutics
- Tempus
- Tessera Therapeutics
These events and treks are designed to give students a practical understanding of both daily life in their field of interest and the best way to successfully find a career in that field. Participating students have the opportunity to expand their professional network, learn more about potential jobs and internships, and find out whether a particular career field matches their interests, skills, and values. Visit the upcoming treks page to stay up to date on future treks!
COMPUTATION AND ENGINEERING IN THE LIFE SCIENCES (CELLS)
CELLS helps students explore careers that use the tools of computer science and data analytics to answer big questions in the life sciences. Cohort members receive two years of comprehensive support to help them begin careers in biotech, bioinformatics, neuroscience, pharmacology, and more. For more information, contact Iliana Vazuka at ivazuka@uchicago.edu.
SUPPORT THE PROGRAM
Careers in Biological Sciences could not succeed without the support of alumni and experienced professionals. If you are an employer or practitioner in a biology-oriented field, please consider getting involved in our career treks, participating in our signature events, hosting an intern, and donating to the program. If you are interested in any of these options or have ideas of your own, please contact Dave Lerner at dlerner@uchicago.edu.