Rosetta Commons REU: AI for Biomolecular Structure Prediction and Design

The Rosetta Commons REU program provides undergraduate students with interdisciplinary research training in artificial intelligence (AI), computational biophysics, and biomolecular structure prediction and design. Over 10 weeks, participants receive foundational training, conduct mentored research at laboratories across a global network of participating institutions, and collaborate with researchers through virtual and in-person activities. This geographically distributed model exposes students to collaborative research across institutions and disciplines. Students develop computational and research skills while investigating applications such as protein engineering, drug discovery, and molecular design and explore pathways to graduate education and research careers in computational and molecular sciences.

Interns will conduct projects in these focus areas:

• Artificial Intelligence
• Protein design
• Drug discovery
• Code development
• Antibody engineering
• Crowd-sourced citizen science

The program:

• Program Dates: June 7, 2027 - August 13, 2027
• The program starts with one week of Rosetta Code School (June 8 through June 12), where you will learn the inner details of the PyRosetta and AI-based code and the community coding environment, so you are fully prepared for the summer!
• Eight weeks of hands-on research in a molecular modeling and design laboratory, developing new algorithms and discovering new science.
• The summer will finish with a trip to Summer RosettaCon conference at the University of Washington in Seattle, where you will present your research in a poster and connect with Rosetta developers from around the world. The conference will be held from August 9 through August 13.
• This program is supported by NSF (award 2548392) . Interns will receive housing, paid travel expenses, a sustenance allowance, and a $7,000 stipend.

To apply, go to the link on our website and include the following:

• Include the following in the application:
  • Resume
  • Transcript
  • Personal statement—why this internship interests you—brief summary of research and computing experience—why you are an appropriate candidate for the internship.
  • Two references (complete the reference forms in the application with contact information)
  • Select the top five labs and projects of interest from the list on our website.
• Application Deadline: February 1, 2027
• Letter of recommendation deadline: February 1, 2027
• Click here: Creating a Competitive REU Application for help with preparing your application.

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and U.S. nationals are eligible to apply.
• International students who are actively pursuing a bachelor's degree at a U.S. institution are eligible to apply, provided that their home institution approves their F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for the full duration of the REU program. See this link for more information.
• International students studying outside of the U.S. are NOT eligible to apply, as the REU program cannot sponsor visas.
• College Sophomores or Juniors are preferred.
• Major in computer science, engineering, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and/or biophysics
• Available during the program dates: June 7, 2027 - August 13, 2027.
  • If accepted, students on the quarter system can request to take their final exams early or request to have final exams proctored at Johns Hopkins.
• Interest in graduate school.
• While not required, we seek candidates with some combination of experiences in scientific or academic research, C++/Python/*nix/databases, software engineering, object-oriented programming, and/or collaborative development (git)

**Students graduating before the start of the REU program are encouraged to apply to our Postbac Program.

Applicants MUST apply in the NSF ETAP Application.