Summer 2026 Teaching Fellow – RISE Computational Neurobiology
Boston University Summer Term seeks Teaching Fellows to work 7 weeks for the Practicum track of the precollege Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) program in summer 2026. The focus of the RISE: Practicum 1 course is Computational Neurobiology.
The RISE Practicum is a six-week, non-credit program for exceptionally talented rising high school seniors. Students are introduced to undergraduate-level research projects while previewing college life. The program combines instructor-led lectures and afternoon labs. For four of the six weeks, the labs will be focused on computational neurobiology and will be held in a computer lab on BU’s campus. For two of the six weeks, the students will be doing wet labs; these wet labs will focus on classic introductory neuroscience (basic electrophysiology – like the giant squid axon or earthworm preparations). The program concludes with student group presentations on the outcomes of their research projects at a Poster Symposium.
Below are the weekly schedule and compensation for the position:
- May 20: 2 hours of instructional training
- Week 1 (June 23-26): 2 hours of course prep
- Weeks 2-7 (June 30 – August 7, Tuesdays-Fridays): 20 hours worked per week (4 days/week; 5 hours/day; 6 weeks)
- Total compensation: $5,526.68
- Calculated by the hourly rate established in the BUGWU contract for summer 2026, which is to $44.57 per hour.
- Summer Term Pre-College Programs will serve as a funding source during weeks 1-7 of the position. The total pay will be divided equally over weeks 1-7.
Additional skills:
- Proficient in at least one scientific programming language, such as Python, Matlab, or R or any specialized bioinformatics software a plus.
- Willing to learn a baseline level of Python within a short time frame.
- Familiar with basic principles of cellular neuroscience such as action potentials, cell biology, synapses, and systems neuroscience concepts including sensation, perception, motor and cognitive systems. More detailed knowledge of neuron electrophysiology is a plus.
- Be able to regularly facilitate discussions, answer biology, basic neuroscience, and basic Python questions from high school students.
- Work with other teaching fellows and instructors to manage student learning and research projects.
Those interested in the position should send an email to Amanda Wein (kautzman@bu.edu) and Ursula Imbernon (uimberno@bu.edu) directly. In the email, please describe your teaching experience and include your CV as an attachment. Thank you!