Join the

Riley Research Group

If mass spectrometry, bioanalytical chemistry, glycoscience, and chemical biology sound like fun corners of the scientific universe for you to explore, please let us know how we can connect. You can reach us by sending your information through our Interest Form.

We accept graduate students from the following programs:

UW Department of Chemistry

Graduate student admissions are coordinated through the UW Department of Chemistry, which invites applications in the Autumn quarter and accepts students in the Winter/Spring months before they start the following Autumn. Applications are usually due in early December. For example, applications to start as a graduate student in Autumn 2024 are due December 1, 2023. Prospective chemistry graduate students interested in joining our group should apply through department using information available here. If you have questions, please let us know. UW Chemistry also offers a Masters of Science in Applied Chemical Science & Technology program.


UW Biological Physics, Stucture, and Design (BPSD)

Students interested in being a BPSD student must apply directly to the BPSD program. This does not prevent students from also applying to departments participating in the BPSD program (e.g., UW Chemistry). More information can be found at the UW BPSD website, and FAQs are answered here. Students are admitted to start in the Autumn Quarter each year, and applications for Autumn 2024 are due November 27, 2023 for both domestic and international students.


Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program (MCB)

Students interested in being an MCB student must apply directly to the MCB program. This does not prevent students from also applying to departments participating in the BPSD program (e.g., UW Chemistry). Due to privacy rules, the MCB Program cannot forward your application to other UW graduate programs. More information can be found at the MCB program website, and FAQs are answered here. Students are admitted to start in the Autumn Quarter each year, and applications are due in the preceding Autumn. Selected applicants will be invited to interview in person in January and February after their application is reviewed.


The University of Washington has fee waiver requests available for graduate applications.

Information for prospective postdoc candidates:


We are not actively recruiting postdocs at this time, but we are always happy to connect with interested scientists. Interested candidates should fill out our Interest Form and send a cover letter and CV to Nick.

Information for other interested candidates:


We are not actively recruiting scientists, research technicians, or undergraduate researchers at this time, but we are always happy to connect with those interested in talking about opportunities. Prospective candidates should fill out our Interest Form and send a cover letter and CV to Nick.