Research Mentor - Neuroscience

Future Forward Labs is a STEM research mentorship institute dedicated to guiding high school students in professional-grade scientific research. The organization bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world science by pairing scholars with mentors who hold completed PhDs in their fields. Students develop original research projects suitable for top-tier competitions such as ISEF, Regeneron STS, and Thermo Fisher JIC, as well as peer-reviewed journals and international conferences. The institute focuses exclusively on STEM disciplines, including AI, medicine, engineering, and the physical and life sciences. Future Forward Labs is headquartered in Seattle, with mentors located across the United States.

Role

The Research Mentor – Neuroscience will guide high school scholars through the full research process, from project ideation and literature review to experimental design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. Their responsibilities will include leading regular virtual mentoring sessions, brainstorm and help students decide research topics & hypothesis, providing structured feedback on research plans and writing, and helping students refine questions and conduct the research through scientific methods to meet competition and publication standards. The mentor will review and edit drafts of abstracts, posters, and papers, and support students in preparing for presentations, conferences, and competitions. The role also involves maintaining clear communication with program staff, documenting student progress, and upholding ethical research practices and safety standards. This is a part-time, remote role, with flexible scheduling aligned to student and program needs.

Qualifications

• Advanced neuroscience expertise, with a completed PhD in neuroscience or a closely related field (psychology, cognitive sciences)
• Strong grasp of experimental design, statistics, and current literature.
• Research mentorship and teaching skills, including experience supervising student projects, guiding literature reviews, and supporting scientific writing and presentations.
• Scientific communication skills, such as clear written and verbal communication, ability to explain complex concepts to non-experts, and experience editing research papers or posters.
• Remote collaboration and organizational skills, including proficiency with online meeting platforms, document-sharing tools, and the ability to manage multiple student projects at once.
• Familiarity with STEM competitions, journals, or conferences (e.g., ISEF, Regeneron STS) is highly beneficial, along with an understanding of research ethics and compliance.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive education, patience, and enthusiasm for working with motivated high school students from diverse backgrounds.

Engagement details

• Independent contractor (1099), part-time
• Fully remote; U.S.-based
• 5–15 hours/week depending on caseload
• Candidates must be US Citizens or Green Card holders

If this role interests you, apply on Linkedin and send us an email (View email address on click.appcast.io) describing why you'll be a good fit.