Through our visiting scholars program for OpenMM, Simbios seeks to attract energetic and talented scholars from computer science, biochemistry, biophysics, and other fields to gain in-depth knowledge about molecular dynamics and the OpenMM software.

OpenMM is open-source software that enables molecular dynamic calculations to be accelerated on high-performance computer architectures. It has demonstrated speed ups for both implicit solvent[1] and explicit solvent simulations[2] on graphics processing units (GPUs). See benchmarks. Its performance, openness, and extreme flexibility -- via custom forces and integrators -- make it truly unique among simulation codes.

A well-designed framework provides an application layer and a library, so that non-programmers can easily and quickly run molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and develop custom algorithms on GPUs, while programmers are simultaneously able to integrate OpenMM cleanly into their own programs.

Program Details

This year up to three individuals will be chosen to visit Simbios at Stanford University for a 4-week period between June and August. Each fellow will receive up to $7000 to cover travel and living expenses. During their visits, awardees will receive training and mentoring to help them achieve their research goals. They will have the opportunity to participate in formal meetings and in discussions with OpenMM experts to advance their research.

See a list of previous visiting scholars and their projects.

Application Process

The visiting scholars program is aimed at post-doctoral fellows, but others are welcome to apply. Individuals must meet the Stanford University Visiting Scholar criteria. A completed application packet should include the following:

• The completed cover form (see page 3 of application packet)
• A research proposal
• A full CV
• Two letters of support

We are particularly interested in proposals that take advantage of OpenMM's customization features; its application layer, providing example scripts for others; its open API that enables it to be easily integrated into another application. We also welcome projects that add new features to OpenMM or enhance OpenMM's performance.

Send completed applications to simbiosfeedback@stanford.edu by midnight, March 9, 2014

Visiting scholars will be selected based on several factors, including:

• The potential impact of the proposed work on the OpenMM project and the molecular dynamics community
• The likelihood of success
• The benefit derived by the project from an extended on-site collaboration
• Strength of candidate's background and the letters of recommendation

Top candidates will be selected for phone and Skype interviews, after which the final selection will be made.