PhD in Biological and Artificial Intelligence (BioAI)
Shaping the future of research and industry by training future innovators at the interface of artificial intelligence and neuroscience, genomics, and other areas of biology.
Launch your career at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where curiosity drives discovery. Our new BioAI Ph.D. program bypasses our standard Ph.D. program’s preliminary stages, providing a specialized, fast-track path to a degree. Applicants must already possess, upon matriculation, a master’s degree or equivalent in a quantitative area such as computer science, physics, mathematics, or engineering. The program is also limited to students pursuing only dry lab computational/quantitative research during their PhD work. Students are accepted directly into a specific lab, meaning there are no rotations. For this reason, prospective students are encouraged to contact potential Principal Investigators before applying to ensure a good match in research interests and the availability of funds.
- PhD (3-4 years)
- 5-10 students annually
- Fully funded (tuition + stipend + health benefits)
- Scenic north shore of Long Island, NY
- Immediate immersion in chosen research lab
Bioscience and AI Graduate Program Comparison
| Category | Biology | BioAI |
|---|---|---|
| Degree Title | Biological Sciences | Biological & Artificial Intelligence |
| Eligibility | Undergrad degree | Master’s or equivalent required in quantitative area (CS, physics, math, engineering, etc.) |
| Funding | 4-year fellowship | PI-sponsored |
| Time to Degree | 3.5 – 6 years | 3 – 5 years |
| Lab | Chosen in Year 1 | Direct admission |
| Course Requirements | Full-time, Semester 1 | Scientific Exposition & Ethics and one or two selected modules |
| Type of Research | Wet lab and/or dry lab | Dry lab only |
| Mentorship | 2-tiered | 2-tiered |
| Rotations | 3 | 0 |
| Housing | 1st year provided | Not provided |
Discover. Dream. Dare.
At Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, groundbreaking science meets a vibrant, collaborative community where curiosity is nurtured and innovation is fostered. From pioneering research in genetics, cancer biology and neuroscience and AI to high-risk, high-reward projects, CSHL drives innovation that shapes the future of biology.
We are more than a research institution – we’re a hub for scientists at every stage:
• DNA Learning Center inspires the next generation of researchers.
• Banbury Center hosts workshops tackling today’s toughest biological challenges.
• Center for Humanities explores the ethical, cultural, and historical dimensions of science.
• CSHL Press publishes cutting-edge research and has redefined how science is shared.
• Meetings & Courses connect thousands of scientists worldwide each year.
And the School of Biological Sciences (SBS) is training today’s scholars to become tomorrow’s leaders who will define the future of discovery.
Our culture of openness, historic legacy, and global network ensures that ideas flow, collaborations flourish, and discoveries happen.
Why CSHL SBS?
World-Class Mentorship and Training
Benefit from a unique two-tier mentoring system with faculty and senior graduate students, alongside rigorous training in scientific reasoning, experimental design, and ethical research practices.
Collaborative and Inclusive Community
Join a student body representing 20+ U.S. states and 25+ countries, enriched by CSHL’s global hub of scientific exchange through Meetings & Courses, Banbury Center, DNA Learning Center, CSHL Press, and the Center for Humanities.
Comprehensive Career and Research Resources
Access state-of-the-art facilities, computational tools, and career development programs – including workshops, seminars, networking opportunities, and initiatives like the Bioscience Enterprise Club.
Exceptional Campus and Student Life
Live and learn in a supportive environment offering on-campus childcare, wellness programs, and a tranquil waterfront setting just 35 miles from New York City.
Program Contacts
Justin Kinney, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, CSHL
Co-Director, BioAI PhD Program
jkinney@cshl.edu
Anthony Zador, M.D., Ph.D.
Alle Harris Professor of Neuroscience, CSHL
Co-Director, BioAI PhD Program
zador@cshl.edu
General Inquiries:
516-367-6890
Location
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
One Bungtown Road
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
Faculty research spans computational neuroscience, machine learning, genomics, quantitative biology, and systems biology.
Program Leadership
- Zachary Lippman (Director of Graduate Studies, SBS)
- Justin Kinney (Co-Director, BioAI Program)
- Anthony Zador (Co-Director, BioAI Program)
Faculty Advisors
Students may work with any CSHL faculty member carrying out cutting-edge quantitative or computational research. Such faculty include:
Eligibility:
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a quantitative/computational field (CS, physics, math, engineering, data science).
- Biology background not required.
Application Process:
-
- Deadline: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis starting December 15 until positions are filled
- Requirements: CV, statement of purpose, transcripts, letters of recommendation, faculty mentor preferences.
- Interview: In-person interview required.
- Admission contingent upon: faculty funding availability + committee approval.
Funding:
- All students receive full tuition, stipend, and comprehensive health/dental/vision insurance.
The Ph.D. program is committed to the success of its students. To promote a high level of student achievement, the faculty and administration take an active role in mentoring and supporting students.
Two-tier mentoring
A special feature of our program is its two-tier mentoring program. Students select two dedicated faculty mentors to guide them in their graduate studies. The academic mentor monitors the student’s progress and provides advice about laboratory selection or career paths. The thesis research mentor takes on the major mentoring role with respect to the student’s professional development during the course of the thesis research. These two mentors provide the student with advice from different viewpoints both during the course of the thesis research and in the student’s future career.
Tutoring
If students need academic assistance, either at the recommendation of faculty or through their own self-assessment, tutoring is offered at no expense. Likewise, students with undergraduate degrees in non-biological sciences, such as physics, engineering, and mathematics, are encouraged to come to CSHL several weeks before the start of the Fall Term to review their background in molecular biology. Tutors, recommending readings, and other support measures are provided free of charge.
Length: 3–5 years (average 4).
Year 1:
- Individual Development Plan (IDP) with Research + Academic mentors
- Core coursework: Scientific Exposition & Ethics and one or two selected modules
- Weekly BioAI Seminar
- Thesis proposal defense
Years 2–5:
- Advanced coursework (CSHL courses in computational genomics, neuroscience, single-cell analysis, etc.)
- Bi-annual thesis committee meetings
- Graduate Student Symposia & weekly seminars
- Career and Skills Development Course (year 3)
- Dissertation + oral defense
Please note that students are admitted to a specific lab and will not participate in rotations.
Campus: 112-acre waterfront campus on Long Island.
Housing: Graduate housing office assists with rentals.
Recreation: gym, tennis, volleyball, beach, sailing, running trails.
Community: dining halls, campus bar, student center, social events with faculty and course attendees.
Support Services:
- On-site health center and counseling services (free).
- Ombudsperson and student affairs support.
New BioAI Research Building (under construction; completion excepted Dec. 2026 move-in 2027) with shared space for AI + biology labs.
High-Performance Compute Cluster: 60+ NVIDIA H100 GPUs, 10PB storage, SLURM-managed clusters.
Core Facilities: CryoEM, flow cytometry, microscopy, NextGen DNA sequencing, single-cell sequencing, functional genomics, and more.
Library & Archives: 24/7 access, 860 journals, 20,000+ books, workshops in data science and coding.
Writing Resource Center: provides individual advice on CVs, resumes, and cover letters. The staff of the School helps students identify potential sources of postdoctoral fellowships and maintains a central repository of job announcements in and outside of academia.
Expedited Research and Career Success
- Accelerated 3–5 year timeline to PhD.
- Extensive career development programming.
- Alumni prepared for academic faculty positions, industry R&D, AI/biotech start-ups, and government research labs.
- Strong network via CSHL meetings & alumni connections.