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The Jackson Laboratory Educational Programs
Summer Student Program
Overview
The Summer Student Program will enter its 85th year in 2009, and the 72nd year for high school students,, with a proven record of excellence. Each student conducts original hands-on research as a contributing member of a sponsoring scientist's research team. Projects are tailored to the student's background and interests. Research areas focus on advancing the knowledge of molecular, developmental, genetic, biochemical, and immunological mechanisms related to normal growth and development and human disease. The Laboratory's extensive resource of mutant and inbred mice strengthens this basic research. The Laboratory provides a stimulating environment for students interested in experiencing the day-to-day challenges of scientific research. Students reside at Highseas, a Jackson Laboratory residence on the shore of Frenchman Bay.
Eligibility
High School Students:
At the time of participation in the program, a high school student must (1) have completed Grade 11 or Grade 12; (2) be at least 16 years old; and (3) be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
College Students:
At the time of participation in the program, a college student must (1) be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student; (2) have at least one semester of undergraduate school remaining before graduation; and (3) be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Stipend and Housing
All students receive room and board in a dormitory setting (2 - 4 students per room). Regular start students will receive a total stipend of $3,600, and early start college students will receive a total stipend of $4,400.
Postdoctoral Training
Overview
As academic and industry programs in mammalian genetics and genomics grow, there is an emerging and growing shortage of qualified applicants to fill these positions. To help serve this need, The Jackson Laboratory has established a coordinated training program for postdoctoral fellows that provides broad understanding and experience in appropriate skills.
The foundation of our training program is a one-to-one relationship between a trainee and his or her sponsor, with the trainee expected to work mainly in the laboratory of the sponsor. The Jackson Laboratory is an acknowledged world leader in mammalian genetics, maintaining extensive genetic resources and Shared Scientific Services to support research by over 35 faculty groups. Research foci include Cancer, Developmental Biology & Aging, Genomics, Hematology/Immunology, Metabolic Diseases and Neurobiology & Sensory Deficits. A special training program for Veterinarians is also available.
In addition to one-on-one training with individual staff scientists, postdoctoral trainees at the Laboratory:
Attend Courses and Meetings: Postdoctoral trainees at the Laboratory have access to three advanced courses in mammalian genetics taught by distinguished international geneticists: The Short Course in Medical Experimental Mammalian Genetics, presented annually since 1960 in cooperation with Johns Hopkins University; Experimental Genetics of the Laboratory Mouse directed at postdoctoral fellows and graduate students; and Genetic Approaches to Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases, a comprehensive, interdisciplinary course focusing on QTL analysis for investigators early in their research careers. In addition, they have access to the several international scientific meetings and workshops The Jackson Laboratory hosts each year. The purpose of the Meetings program at TJL is to promote meaningful exchanges of information on the latest scientific developments in specific topics in mammalian genetics.
Attend The Jackson Laboratory (TJL) Interest Groups: Trainees are expected to participate and present one talk per year in at least one of the weekly Research Interest Groups (Functional Genomics; Diabetes, Obesity, and Atherosclerosis; and Immunology-Hematology).
Attend TJL Seminars: Trainees attend most of the regular TJL Staff Seminars usually held on Thursday afternoons. There were 57 Staff Seminars, most presented by visiting speakers, this last year.
Attend Faculty Meetings: Trainees are invited to attend all open faculty meetings.
Travel to Meetings: Each trainee is expected to travel to one national/international scientific meeting per year. After their first year in the program, the trainees are expected to present their research at these meetings.
Write Grant Applications: We expect all postdoctoral trainees at TJL to prepare and submit at least one fellowship grant application for extramural support of the second and third years of training e.g., an NIH individual NRSA. This gives the trainee valuable experience necessary for competition in the job market. The Training Office identifies funding sources and coordinates the submissions.
Predoctoral Program
Overview
The Jackson Laboratory (TJL), together with The University of Maine (UM), and the Maine Medical Center Research Institute (MMCRI), has initiated an interdisciplinary, inter-institutional degree program in Functional Genomics of Model Organisms. This new educational paradigm was developed to train students to move freely among the disciplines needed to investigate genome function. Students receive training in the biological, physical and computational sciences through a combination of core and advanced courses, intensive workshops, and research seminars. Emphasis is placed on a high quality research environment and a tutorial relationship between the student and her/his mentors and program committee. Central to the students' training in interdisciplinary research will be the use of a paired mentoring system, a concept referred to as twinning. The primary mentor plays a role similar to the traditional graduate advisor and comes from the student's primary area of research. The secondary mentor comes from a second discipline, and each student develops a research project dependent upon interdisciplinary collaborations.
Eligibility
We are seeking students with strong academic records, especially candidates with prior research experience. Prospective students will apply directly to the Program through the University of Maine Graduate School. Since this program is funded by an NSF-IGERT training grant, supported students must either be a US citizen or a permanent resident.
Stipend
All students admitted to the program receive stipends and tuition support. Current stipends are $30,00 per year.
Research Opportunities and Principal Investigators (PI)
At The Jackson Laboratory, 35 Principal Investigators lead research groups in six major areas:
- Bioinformatics: mouse genome informatics, comparative genomics.
- Cancers: bone, cervical, leukemia, liver, lymphoma, mammary, ovarian.
- Development and Aging-Related: birth defects, Down syndrome, osteoporosis.
- Immune System and Blood Disorders: AIDS, anemia, autoimmunity, immune system disorders, tissue transplant rejection.
- Metabolic Diseases: atherosclerosis, diabetes, gallstones, hypertension, obesity.
- Neurological and Sensory Disorders: blindness, cerebellar disorders, deafness, epilepsy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, neurodegenerative diseases.
Helpful Links
Last Updated: September 11, 2008
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