Scientists at Janelia work together in multidisciplinary teams to solve challenging biological problems that are difficult to address in other research settings.

Many lab spaces at Janelia feature modular designs and natural light.

Credit: Brad Feinknopf

Occupying 689 wooded acres along the Potomac River, Janelia Farm provides a variety of services and facilities to support its diverse community of scientists and staff—inside and outside the lab.

A view of the Janelia Farm Research Campus at dusk.

Credit: Brad Feinknopf

The Janelia Farm model frees scientists of constraints commonly found in other research environments, providing access to world-class resources and a talented support staff.

Graduate scholar John Tuthill prepares a Drosophila specimen for imaging.

Credit: James Kegley

In addition to our resident scientists and fellows, we offer visiting scientists, graduate, and undergraduate candidates a range of scientific programs.

Graduate scholar Arbora Resulaj (left) and her mentor, Janelia Fellow Dmitry Rinberg (right).

Credit: James Kegley

Janelia Farm regularly hosts scientific meetings, ranging from workshops to intensive, specialized conferences. See what's coming up and visit the archive of past events.

Janelia's large auditorium seats 250 people.

Credit: Matt Staley

Janelia provides outstanding employment opportunities, at all levels.

Credit: James Kegley

Many tools developed in Janelia Farm labs are made freely available to outside researchers, while others are taking shape through collaborations with industry, academia, and government.

A virtual arena for the study of flight in insects.

Credit: James Kegley

Janelia’s sense of community comes from a core belief that people of diverse disciplines and backgrounds can accomplish great things when working with a common purpose.

Research specialist Trevor Wardill (left) and group leader Vivek Jayaraman (right).

Credit: James Kegley

Graduate Program

Overview

Janelia graduate scholar John Tuthill

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Don’t just study great science. Live it. Janelia Farm invites committed and gifted graduate students to apply to a fully-funded, collaborative Ph.D. program with either the University of Cambridge or the University of Chicago.

Our unique Ph.D. program pairs exceptionally motivated students with mentors who encourage a certain amount of independence. Each class of Ph.D. candidates is small, as are Janelia’s laboratories. Therefore, students quickly become fully integrated in the lab and have exceptional opportunities for day-to-day contact with their lab heads and other colleagues. Graduate students at Janelia have been co-authors on manuscripts published in leading journals.

Meet Our Students

Gallery

Janelia Farm Graduate Students

Credit: Matt Staley

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		Arjun Bharioke University of Toronto Major(s): Theoretical Chemical Physics and Biochemistry, and a Minor in Mathematics Lab: Chklovskii Project Description: Applying theoretical insight into understanding the function of small neuronal networks, and the physical implementations of fundamental neuronal computations "The chance to work with world-class professors in an environment where the labs are small, and, therefore, any professor is able to take time out to discuss science: priceless! Janelia feels like a small department in our ability to interact with others, yet is actually large enough that there are experts in many of the different areas of neuroscience; this combination provides a truly unique environment in which to learn, and think, about neuroscience. Being able to attend the conferences at Janelia, and listen to the panel discussions about the state of affairs in different areas of neuroscience is another real highlight. They are always thought-provoking! At a recent conference on connectomics, I heard Sydney Brenner (one of the original creators of the field) get up and berate its modern proponents, arguing that they had gotten lost in a fog of accuracy! He said they had forgotten that the true purpose of any connectome was merely to answer some biological questions; making an arbitrarily accurate connectome was simply a waste of time!"

		Jenny Brown University of Oxford Major: BA, Physiological Sciences Lab: Dudman Project Description: Investigating the functional architecture of the midbrain substantia nigra

		Diana Burk University of Virginia Major(s): B.S. Biomedical Engineering; Neuroscience Lab: Hantman Project Description: We are investigating the functions of brainstem nuclei and the cerebellum in awake and behaving animals. "The Janelia Graduate Program presents a unique opportunity to experience some of the responsibilities of a postdoc as a PhD student."

		Nicole Carreras University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Major: Chemistry Lab: Looger Project Description: Engineering and characterization of GCaMP5-based reporters for recording synaptic activity in vivo.

		Jack Etheredge Emory University Major: Biology Lab: Truman Project Description: Secondary neuron identity and growth patterning in Drosophila ventral nerve cord. "I've enjoyed being a part of the Janelia graduate program because I've been able to learn exactly what I thought I was lacking rather than being forced to stick to a curriculum that may have been less applicable or more redundant. I'm taking classes specifically chosen to fill knowledge gaps rather than review things that have become routine through labwork and papers I read for lab. Furthermore, the ability to work for an extended period in two labs gives a more diverse range of experiences and a broader experimental knowledge-base. Janelia's graduate program provides the intellectual freedom to design a personalized work and learning experience that best suits you. The availability of guidance and help when you want it ensures that you can actually execute your ideas."

		Wendy Gu University of Toronto (undergrad) and McGill University (MSc) Major: Zoology Lab: Zlatic Project Description: The development of chordotonal circuits in the Drosophila embryo and larva

		Martin Peek California Institute of Technology Major: Chemical Engineering, Biomolecular Track Lab: Card Project Description: Dissecting the Neural Circuits of Drosophila Escape "I started my first year in the Janelia-Chicago program in September 2011. The University of Chicago offers a number of well-taught, foundational classes for students new to neuroscience and genetics. I have been able to read classic papers and understand their context from lectures. In the Hale lab, I began physiological experiments in larval zebrafish, an interesting and marked change from my previous work in Drosophila."

		Barrett Pfeiffer Lab: Rubin

		Arbora Resulja University of Toronto Major: Engineering Science, Biomedical Engineering Lab: Rinberg Project Description: Decision-making at the speed of smell "Janelia is a great place to work for three reasons. The people are great. They are passionate about their work and very open to sharing ideas and techniques. The resources are great. You can learn and do anything from building electronic circuits and machining small parts, to cell culturing and 2-photon imaging. The talks at Janelia are great. You can drop in on any conference and listen to talks on a variety of subjects, anything from microscopy to animal behavior."

		Dylan Rich University College London; London's Global University™ Major: Neuroscience Lab: Lee (Albert) Project Description: Behavioural electrophysiology in the rat. "Being a Graduate Student at Janelia has given me a great opportunity to access innumerable resources and exceptional people. It has been, and continues to be, uniformly enjoyable."

		Kelly Seagraves University of Colorado at Boulder  Major: Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology  Lab: Egnor Project Description: I study how social and situational contexts affect the courtship vocalizations of the male house mouse, and how these changes then affect female mate choice. "The greatest thing about working at Janelia Farm is the overwhelming number of tools at your fingertips. These tools come not only in the form of access to a wide range of equipment for testing experimental ideas, but also in the access to all of the great minds working around you. Janelia Farm is a place where ideas never stop churning, and this is the perfect atmosphere to learn in as a graduate student. I feel that I have already gained an enormous amount of knowledge as a part of the Janelia Farm Graduate Scholars program, and I am confident that working at Janelia Farm will give me the skills that I need to be successful in the next stage of my career. Janelia Farm makes it easy to focus on your research, and there is an enormous amount of support for graduate students."

		Nick Sofroniew University of Cambridge Major: Mathematics Lab: Svoboda Project Description: I am studying sensorimotor integration in awake behaving mice.

		John Tuthill Swarthmore College Major: Biology Lab: Reiser Project Description: Peripheral visual processing in the fly. "Being a graduate student at Janelia has given me unrivaled access to resources, tools, and ideas, as well as the intellectual freedom to pursue challenging problems."

		Zhen Fang University of Chicago Major(s): Biological Sciences and Psychology Lab: Sternson Project Description: Motivational mechanisms underlying AgRP neuron-evoked feeding.

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Program Details

Our joint graduate program offers an outstanding opportunity to experience the benefits of working in the world-class research environment of Janelia Farm as well as at one of our top-notch partner institutions, the Universities of Cambridge and Chicago. The program is well-designed for students with a passion for engaging in high-quality research in neuroscience or imaging technology.

What makes our program special:
We’re small. There are currently 15 students in the program and the number at Janelia at any one time will remain small. The campus has approximately 40 resident scientists running independent labs; no individual lab has more than six members. Therefore, the students get a lot of personal attention in the lab to support their commitment to high-quality research. The program head and science program manager are dedicated to fostering each student’s experience and provide support from the beginning of the partner application process through the students defense of his or her PhD thesis. In addition, the program manager at Janelia interacts with the students on a regular basis and is always available for informal conversation.

Because Janelia hosts an extensive conference program, with attendees from the worldwide academic community, graduate students have unusual access to leading scientists who enjoy spending time with them when they visit the campus. In addition, Janelia runs regular lectures and seminars by resident scientists, thereby fostering exposure to cutting-edge research in a range of disciplines.

Some Academic Basics:

You will have two supervisors: one at Janelia Farm and one at either Chicago or Cambridge.
Year 1: You will reside at Chicago or Cambridge while you take any required courses, complete lab rotations, and work on your research.
Years 2 through defense: You will reside at Janelia, conducting your thesis research.
Your degree will be granted by the University of Chicago or the University of Cambridge. (Janelia Farm is not a degree-granting institution.)

Some Financial and Visa Basics:

Janelia Farm, which is fully supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, will pay all financial costs, including travel, for your PhD.
Janelia Farm will sponsor visa applications for international students and assist with the details of obtaining a visa.
Janelia coordinates all activities associated with your program of study.
Each academic year will end with a research symposium, held at Janelia Farm, the University of Chicago, or the University of Cambridge, that will bring together members of the graduate programs and their mentors.

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How to Apply

We ask for the following documents/information:

Curriculum vitae
Research proposal
Statement on your research experience
Unofficial undergraduate transcripts
Three references
The Chicago program requires GRE scores (Cambridge does not)
For non-English-speaking countries both universities require TOEFL or IELTS scores.
The names of three Janelia scientists you’d prefer to work with
Optional: The names of three supervisors from the partner school you’d prefer to work with
Optional: Upload up to three publications
Optional: Disclosure of any held patents

To learn more about the research in the labs of group leaders and fellows to guide you in your decision about a supervisor at Janelia Farm, visit the lab pages.

Applications for the University of Chicago and University of Cambridge programs are no longer being accepted. The application will reopen in September.

Life at Janelia Farm

The Janelia Farm Research Campus houses a world-class research center where scientists from many disciplines gather to collaborate closely, in small teams, on some of science’s most challenging problems.

Graduate students arriving at Janelia Farm will find a beautiful campus complete with housing, a fitness center, dining facilities, a pub, social clubs and, sports teams – plus numerous other amenities and conveniences, including WiFi.

Janelia’s modern and elegant laboratory building and conference facilities, which include contemporary housing for overnight guests are all designed to blend into the natural surroundings of the nearly 700 acre site on the banks of the Potomac River in Virginia. The architectural design of the buildings and the laboratories are aimed at achieving Janelia Farm's central objectives—collaboration and flexibility.

Life at Janelia

Student Housing
Students have multiple housing options within close proximity to the Janelia Farm campus, including nearby apartments and townhouses to rent with other grad students or Janelia staff.

Students may also choose to live on campus sharing one of Janelia Farm’s fully furnished, four-bedroom townhouses. Each bedroom has a private bath, and each home has laundry facilities. Occupancy fees include all utilities, such as Internet connection, water, gas, electric, phone, and water.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Visa

Janelia Farm will sponsor visas for participants to enter the United States and the United Kingdom, as appropriate and as permitted. If you are coming from outside the United States or the United Kingdom (for U. Cambridge), you are responsible for determining if a visa is required and applying through your local embassy or consulate. In recent years, this process has become quite slow in some countries, taking up to several months. Therefore, we suggest that you apply for your visa as soon as possible after admission. Katie Breneman, the program administrator will be able to help with any questions you have.

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Ph.D. Degree

Your degree will be granted by either the University of Chicago or the University of Cambridge.

The University of Chicago requires students to complete 9 graduate credits for the Ph.D., attend an ethics course, and be a teaching assistant.
The University of Cambridge requires students reside in Cambridge for 3 terms and to complete a first year research report.

There is no required coursework. Three of your four years will be spent at Janelia doing hands-on science. Subsequently, you will submit and defend your thesis at your university.

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Partner Institutions

The two institutions Janelia partners with for its graduate program are the University of Cambridge and Chicago University.

University of Chicago
Depending on your research area and educational needs, you may join one of several existing Ph.D. programs at the university. These include the new interdisciplinary graduate program in biophysical dynamics and self-organization; the program in neurobiology, pharmacology and cell physiology; the computer science program; and others.

Gradutate admissions.
Neuroscience at the University of Chicago.

University of Cambridge
Cambridge does not require any specific course or quantity of courses. You are entitled to take any course of academic study offered by Cambridge University, at the graduate or undergraduate level. Depending on your research proposal, you might also spend all of your time in Cambridge doing research. We will design a specific program of courses tailored to fit your needs.

Prospective Graduate Students information

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The Research

HHMI's Janelia Farm Research Campus is a world-class biomedical research center where outstanding scientists from diverse disciplines use emerging and innovative technologies to pursue biology's most challenging problems. Our research goals include the identification of general principles guiding how information is processed by neuronal circuits, in addition to the development of new imaging technologies and computational methods for image data analysis.

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Finances and Benefits

You will be fully supported financially while participating in the Janelia Farm graduate program.

While in the United States (Janelia Farm or University of Chicago)

Stipend of $30,500 per year.
On-campus housing subsidy of $150/ month year.
Health insurance, plus other benefits
Payment of all programmatic travel costs.

While at the University of Cambridge

Stipend of £19,339 for the first year, which is equivalent to the Wellcome Trust Ph.D. Studentship stipend (paid in UK pounds while in England).
Health care while in the UK is provided by the National Health Service.
Payment of all programmatic travel costs.

Academic requirements
As the graduate programs primary focus is on research, we highly value research experience as we evaluate candidates. Otherwise, Cambridge University has a minimum GPA of 3.0. Chicago has no minimum GPA

Graduate Program

Overview

Meet Our Students

Gallery

Program Details

How to Apply

Life at Janelia Farm

Frequently Asked Questions

Visa

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Ph.D. Degree

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Partner Institutions

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The Research

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Finances and Benefits

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Division of Time between Institutions

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Program Administration