NSF-Funded REU Position in Neurotechnology, Regenerative Medicine, and Intelligent Biocomputing
Call for Applications: NSF-Funded REU Position in Neurotechnology, Regenerative Medicine, and Intelligent Biocomputing
We invite motivated undergraduate students to apply for an NSF-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) position associated with NSF Award #2422412. This is an interdisciplinary project at the frontier and intersection of neural engineering, stem-cell-derived neural networks, and neurorestoration. This NSF-funded project brings together researchers from USC and UC Irvine to explore how regenerative medicine and brain-computer interface technologies may be combined to support future approaches for restoring brain function after neurological injury or disease.
The broader project aims to investigate whether 3D neural stem-cell networks can be connected bidirectionally with living human brain activity, with the long-term goal of understanding how engineered neural systems may learn, grow, and interact with biological neural signals.
This NSF REU program is intended to provide undergraduate students with intensive, authentic research experiences in NSF-supported areas of science and engineering, and offers a student stipend to defray the cost of housing and travel ($4,000 USD).
Two types of applicants are being sought; one for REU experience in microfabrication for neurotechnology, and another for biofabrication/3D bioprinting of neural constructs.
Appointment Period
All positions must begin between June 15 and July 1, 2026. All positions will end no later than September 21, 2026. All REU appointments are expected to be at least 10 weeks of full-time equivalent commitment, and are in-person at the University of California, Irvine.
Eligibility
Applicants must be current undergraduate students (at any 4-year university within a degree granting major) with strong interest in research and with preparation relevant to one of the two positions above. The NSF REU program only supports students who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States.
Students who are considering graduate school or future careers in engineering, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, biofabrication, neurotechnology, or related STEM fields are especially encouraged to apply. The NSF REU program is designed to attract students into STEM careers through intensive research experiences. All application are considered on a competitive, merit-based basis. Due to the short recruitment period, candidates will be considered on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
Position 1: Undergraduate REU Researcher in Microfabrication for Neurotechnology
This position is intended for an undergraduate student interested in the microfabrication and microengineering aspects of neurotechnology development relevant to the project’s BCI and neural-interface research goals. The project team includes expertise in microelectronics engineering, biomedical engineering, and neural signal processing, all of which are central to the development of bidirectional interfaces between engineered systems and neural activity.
Possible Research Focus: The selected student will contribute to research activities related to the design, fabrication support, testing, and characterization of microscale or microelectronic components associated with neural-interface technologies being explored in the project. This role is aligned with the project’s emphasis on converging engineering methods with brain-computer interface research.
Preferred Background: Students majoring in or taking coursework in the following areas are especially encouraged to apply:
- Biomedical engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Materials science or engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Physics
- Computer engineering
Experience with any of the following is helpful but not required:
- Microfabrication or cleanroom processes
- CAD or device design
- Electronics or sensors
- Microscopy or device characterization
- Programming or data analysis
Ideal Applicant: The strongest applicants will be students who are excited by interdisciplinary research at the intersection of neuroengineering, microelectronics, and brain-computer interfaces. The REU program specifically emphasizes meaningful undergraduate participation in research that is as independent as a student’s preparation allows.
Position 2: Undergraduate REU Researcher in Biofabrication / 3D Bioprinting
This position is intended for an undergraduate student interested in the biofabrication side of the project, especially work related to 3D bioprinting, engineered tissue constructs, and the development of 3D neural stem-cell networks. The NSF-funded project specifically aims to develop methods for growing 3D networks of neural stem cells in culture and to create artificial blood vessels that may help these networks grow larger and remain viable.
Possible Research Focus: The selected student will contribute to research activities related to the biofabrication of 3D neural or vascularized tissue constructs, including work relevant to 3D bioprinting, scaffold preparation, cell-culture support, construct characterization, and experimental documentation. This role aligns closely with the project’s regenerative medicine goals and its effort to support larger, more functional neural systems in vitro.
Preferred Background
Students with interests in the following areas are especially encouraged to apply:
- Bioengineering/Biomedical engineering
- Biological sciences
- Neuroscience
- Cell or developmental biology
- Materials science
- Chemical engineering
Experience with any of the following is helpful but not required:
- Cell culture
- Biomaterials
- Tissue engineering
- 3D bioprinting
- Microscopy or image analysis
- Laboratory and cleanroom research methods
Ideal Applicant: The strongest applicants will be students interested in regenerative medicine, neural tissue engineering, and the development of 3D neural systems for future neurorestorative applications. The broader project explicitly combines regenerative medicine with BCI concepts and seeks to understand how engineered neural systems may learn and interact with living brain signals.
Application Materials
Please submit:
- Resume or CV
- Unofficial or official transcript (most recent)
-
Cover letter providing a brief statement of interest (maximum 1 page) indicating:
- Which position you are applying for (Microfabrication or Biofabrication / 3D Bioprinting)
- Your academic background and how it is related to the advertised position
- Relevant coursework or research experience
- Your career goals and research interests and how this position is related to your career aspirations and academic interests
- Contact information for 2 academic references
How to Apply
Please email all materials as a single PDF to:
An Do, MD, Associate Professor
Questions can also be emailed to : Dr. Hung Cao (hungcao@uci.edu) and Dr. Zoran Nenadic (znenadic@uci.edu).
Subject line:
- REU Application – Microfabrication
or - REU Application – Biofabrication
Application deadline: 5/31/26 or positions filled.