Overview

The Shanahan Foundation Fellowship at the Interface of Data and Neuroscience is a new, three-year fellowship program that aims to:

· Integrate data scientists in neuroscience research

· Challenge traditional approaches to neuroscience

· Provide multidisciplinary, multi-organizational co-mentorship

· Provide a network and community

· Support career development in data science

The fellowship will be co-hosted by the Allen Institute and the University of Washington (through its eScience Institute and the Computational Neuroscience Center) and is directed by Dr. Christof Koch at the Allen Institute.

Details

During the three-year fellowship, fellows will identify a mentor at the Allen Institute, where the fellows will be based. Fellows will select a co-mentor at the University of Washington who will provide additional guidance on a project designed by the fellow, 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 the brains of mice, non-human primates and humans – or through ongoing laboratory work.

Fellows will participate in the postdoctoral career development program at the University’s e-Science Institute and the UW Institute of Neuroengineering (UWIN). The eSciences Institute offers regular workshops on key topics including cloud computing, python and reproducibility. New fellows will attend the annual Summer Workshop on the Dynamic Brain where they will learn how to apply data science skills to neuroscience data and questions. Throughout the three years, fellows will be supported in developing a network in the neuroscience field and sharing their progress with peers at conferences. Up to three fellows will be selected to begin in Fall 2021.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be data scientists in a broad sense, with a Ph.D. in a quantitative field such as computer science, electrical engineering, physics, mathematics or biology with a background in statistical, computational and machine learning methods. Ph.D.’s should have been awarded in the last 3 years.

One goal of the fellowship is to build a network of collaborators, as such, priority will be given to applicants who are not currently postdoctoral fellows or scientists at the University of Washington or the Allen Institute respectively.

We believe high-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are building an environment of diversity and inclusion and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this fellowship.

Application Instructions

For full consideration, please submit your application by August 1, 2021. Applications may continue to be considered after this deadline on a rolling basis until positions are filled.

Learn more and apply on the Shanahan Fellowship Website.

Applications must include:

· A curriculum vitae from the applicant

· Two letters of support from advisors and other mentors

· A one page personal statement from the applicant describing their history, activities and interests as an individual (especially those outside of science) which may give the committee a greater sense of you as a person and your ability to simultaneously interact with and challenge traditional scientific fields.

· A two to three page research statement from the applicant describing their prior research, interests in applying data science to the field of neuroscience, potential research interests (including tools they are familiar with) and how this fellowship aligns with their career goals.

· The choice of the final advisor/co-advisor will be accomplished during the first year of this fellowship.

Questions? Email: shanahan.fellow@alleninstitute.org