Join us.

We regularly take on Duke undergraduates. How many varies semester to semester and depends entirely on the bandwidth of the lab members who would be mentoring them.

How to get started

1. Fill out our research interest form. This is the required first step for every undergraduate. We use it to judge fit and to see how you think about research. Answer it thoroughly.

   Research interest form

2. Check Muser. We post opportunities on Muser at the beginning of each semester. If you see a listing there, apply directly.

Important notes

• Mentorship bandwidth. Taking on a new undergraduate, especially in the wet lab, is a real commitment for the mentor. When bandwidth is low we cannot take anyone on that semester.
• Pratt Research Fellowships. Any Duke undergraduate can do a Pratt Research Fellowship, but not until roughly sophomore or junior year. It is worth thinking about early. Fellows in our lab should expect to spend a few semesters here before committing to a fellowship project.
• Computational and ML projects. Students interested in computational biology, machine learning, or data science may be able to take on more independent projects under a postdoc or graduate student. These suit students who already have coding experience.

Undergraduates in our lab work closely with a PhD student or postdoc mentor. The Chory Lab Handbook covers our projects and expectations.

We regularly host Master's students from the Duke BME program. It is still only one or two per semester. It is a big commitment on both sides.

We are only able to consider students who have already been accepted to the masters program. To apply, see the Duke BME Master's program.

If you have been accepted and want to join the lab, complete our research interest form.

Research interest form

Interested in independent study?

Masters students usually take research in the lab as an independent study for course credit, generally starting in their first semester. The agreement, expectations, and enrolment steps are all on one page.

Independent study in the Chory Lab

More information

• Places are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on project alignment and mentorship availability.
• Most students work closely with a PhD student or postdoc mentor.
• Experience in computational biology or machine learning opens up more independent projects.
• The Chory Lab Handbook covers our research areas and expectations.

If you are an enthusiastic, self-motivated, and aspiring life-long learner interested in protein engineering, directed evolution, cancer biology, or solving biological problems through data-driven science, we would love to hear from you.

Please note that our ability to take on new PhD students varies year to year and depends on lab capacity, funding, and fit. We encourage you to carefully review our research focus and consider whether our lab aligns well with your interests before applying.

Joining the lab through Duke BME

PhD students in our lab are admitted through the Duke Biomedical Engineering (BME) program. Duke BME uses a lab-matching admissions process, meaning students are admitted directly into a lab based on alignment with their interests, experience, and fit.

Both of these happen inside the application itself, not before it:

• Select Professor Emma Chory as a preferred advisor in your application
• Mention specific research areas or projects in the Chory Lab that interest you

How to apply

1. Familiarize yourself with our work. Explore our publications and current research themes to ensure strong alignment with your goals.
2. Attend the Duke BME info session. The department hosts virtual open houses each fall. These are a good way to learn about the program and connect with faculty and students.
3. Hear about the program from current students. The Duke Engineering Graduate Ambassadors are the best people to ask what the program is actually like.
4. Submit your application. All prospective students apply through the Duke BME PhD application portal. Duke runs two admission cycles:
   • Fall admission closes in the first week of December.
   • Spring admission closes in the first week of October. Both rounds are worth considering.
   Check the graduate school instructions for exact dates. You can start your application at pratt.duke.edu/apply.
5. Reach out (optional). Once your application is in, you are welcome to introduce yourself. Send a CV and short cover letter to chorylab [plus] apply [at] gmail [dot] com outlining your background and why you are interested in our lab. We make careful note of everyone who reaches out and we make sure those applications are read closely. We cannot reply to every message. In practice a reply goes to applicants shortlisted for interviews.
6. Interview process. Selected applicants are invited for virtual interviews, and possibly an on-campus visit, as part of the admissions process. In fairness to everyone applying, it is our policy not to schedule individual meetings or Zoom calls with prospective PhD applicants until all applications for the cycle have been received.

How to apply

We consider postdoctoral candidates on a case-by-case basis, and openings usually depend on available funding. You do not need funding in hand to reach out. We do strongly encourage postdocs to apply for fellowships. They give you independence and make an appointment far easier to arrange.

For a list of postdoctoral fellowships we recommend, see Johns Hopkins' postdoctoral funding opportunities. Our lab handbook has more suggestions.

If you are interested in joining as a postdoctoral fellow, send your cover letter and CV directly to Professor Chory at chorylab [plus] apply [at] gmail [dot] com.

In the cover letter, please describe your research interests and career path, with emphasis on why the Chory Lab is uniquely equipped to help you achieve your research goals and prepare you for the next stage of your career.

For postdoc-specific resources at Duke, visit research.duke.edu/prospective-postdocs.

We love getting young scientists excited about research, but our bandwidth for high school students is very limited outside formal programs. Please apply through an established program rather than writing to the lab directly. Those programs provide the mentorship and structure we cannot offer one-on-one.

The best route into our lab is DukeREP, the Duke Research in Engineering Program: a paid, seven-week summer research experience in the Pratt School of Engineering for rising high school juniors and seniors, with priority for North Carolina and Durham students.

Other Duke research programs for high school students

• Duke pre-college STEM programs
• Duke Summer Experiences (high school)
• Duke Summer STEM Academy