Description

Allen Institute ASPIRE Intern: 1-Year Postbaccalaureate Program

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The Allen Institute’s Advancing Scientific Potential through Internships, Research, and Education (ASPIRE) Internship program is a year-long postbaccalaureate internship designed to provide mentorship and on-the-job experience for those who have recently completed a bachelor’s degree and are interested in pursuing advanced STEM education or a career in life sciences research, science support, or other STEM-related administrative careers.

Each intern will own a project that seeks to address a specific research question, scientific problem, or administrative challenge, and they will be paired with a primary mentor who will assist the intern in their career development and help bring them into the Allen Institute community. New interns will start their roles in June or July and wrap up with a capstone presentation the following May.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly. 

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment. 

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Applications must be received by January 12, 2026, to be considered.

• Allen Institute offers several start date options in June and July 2026 to support recent graduates in preparing for their transitions. Applicants must start on a Monday.
• The program will conclude at the end of May 2027
• Interns are expected to work 40 hours a week throughout the entire period

2026 ASPIRE Intern projects include: 

• Investigating the role of the nervous system in lymphocyte development
• Designing and prototyping of rapid upload options to a cloud-based data tracking system
• Developing a modeling framework to infer cell-to-cell interaction potential
• Leveraging machine learning to improve transmission electron microscopy images
• Evaluating multi-modal models of single cell resolution datasets
• Applying AI models to immune cell datasets to uncover human immune variations

Eligibility 

• Must have completed a bachelor’s degree prior to the start of the program, and no earlier than December 1, 2023, and must not have an advanced degree in field relevant to the role/project
• Must be able to start in June or July 2026 and commit to the full program duration, ending May 28, 2027
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. for the program duration
• Must be 18 years of age or older

Intern Program Activities

• In addition to working with scientists across the Institute, interns will have the opportunity to participate in fun activities and workshops, attend lectures, and present their work at the end of the program period. 

Compensation

• ASPIRE Interns will receive $29.35 per hour ($61,048 per year, assuming 40-hour work weeks), plus benefits.

Benefits

• ASPIRE Interns will receive the same benefits as full-time Allen Institute employees. Highlights include: 
  • Employer-paid healthcare plan options 
  • Ample time-off, including paid winter break 
  • Fitness and wellness membership reimbursement 
  • Subsidized transportation/commute options 
  • Student loan support and learning and development resources

Housing and Travel

• All ASPIRE Interns are expected to work onsite at our Seattle, WA, location throughout the program. The Allen Institute offers a modest relocation stipend (subject to standard tax withholdings) to be used toward housing and travel costs for interns who need assistance with the cost of moving to the area.

How to Apply 

• Navigate to the Allen Institute Internship programs page and search for roles with ‘ASPIRE Intern’ included in the job title. If a role does not include ‘ASPIRE Intern’ in the job title, it is not part of this program
• Complete an application through the career portal
• The application will prompt you to submit a resume and a 300-500 word personal statement addressing the following topics:
  • Why you are interested in working at the Allen Institute
  • Why you are interested in the ASPIRE Internship program and how this opportunity will be meaningful to you and your career
  • Why you are interested in the specific project for which you are applying
  • NOTE: We recommend submitting separate personal statements for each role/project for which you are applying
• The last day applications will be accepted is January 12, 2026

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated commitment to science