Please be advised that the application period for the March 2026 Externship Experience has now closed.
In-person externship for two co-externs with homestay, March 9–13, 2026
The University of Washington Scientific Software Engineering Center works with researchers to infuse software industry best practices and deliver open source, sustainable software accelerating research across fields ranging from biodiversity and bioethics to education and natural disasters. During this experience, students will learn the importance of robust software in research across many disciplines. In Anshul’s view, they will get an alternate view of academic research, one absent the toxic cultures of “publish or perish,” “gradware,” and expensive proprietary technological tools. Students will be in-person at the office every day.
Outside of their time at work, students can expect to enjoy Seattle’s many beautiful sights, from the Space Needle and Chihuly Gardens to the Pacific Science Center and Discovery Park. They will also get to meet Grinnellians in fields such as Biostatistics, Midwifery, Social Work, and Software Engineering.
Anshul writes: “I live with four Grinnellians, Sarah Weltz ’21, Ezekiel Miller ’21, Jasper Yang ’21, and Henry Claudohous ’22. There are several other Grinnellians in the area who work in a diverse range of professions. My co-workers at SSEC and eScience are a huge part of why I enjoy my work, and there will be several opportunities to learn from them in informal settings around the office as well through sitting in on meetings and talks. Here is a link to our People page: https://escience.washington.edu/people/escience-team/.”
Returning host Anshul Tambay (he/him) ’20 grew up in the Bay Area and considers himself Indian-American. He speaks Marathi, French, and Hindi. Anshul enjoys talking walks in new cities, trying and cooking different cuisines, and pickup sports. At Grinnell, Anshul studied Economics and Mathematics, spent some time in French department, and played Ultimate Frisbee. He studied abroad in Senegal and absolutely loved it. After graduation, Anshul spent some time back in the Bay and then moved to Chicago. While there, he was in tech support for a telehealth startup and, after being laid off, was in fieldwork as a data analyst for a center at Northwestern studying community violence intervention and gun violence prevention. Anshul moved to Seattle in Aug. 2023 and begin working at SSEC.
About this experience: Externs will stay with Anshul in a house in the Tangletown neighborhood of Seattle, roughly a 25 minute walk from the UW campus. There are 5 housemates, 4 of whom are Grinnellians from the years 2021 and 2022. There are two couches, and a futon bed. Anshul will be cooking the majority of meals and is happy to accommodate any and all dietary restrictions, including fasting etc. Externs will be expected to pay for a few meals outside of the home, no more than 3 or 4. Please expect to be a responsible member of the house community, cleaning up after oneself, communicating needs and preferences, and respecting the space.
Outside of travel, budget: $230. This will cover an ORCA card for public transport, a $129 Seattle CityPASS to see attractions around the city, and a few meals outside of the ones I will be providing. We will commute together via public transport.
Please do not contact Anshul other than to submit your application.
Spring Break Externship
Application window: January 2–12, 2026, for March 2026
To apply for this externship, submit your application materials including the It’s a Match form, one-page résumé, and cover letter as specified in the resource: Externship Experience Information for Students.
We recommend you make an appointment to review your application materials with a CLS adviser before submitting. Questions? Email: externships@grinnell.edu.