The Experience Postgraduate Life Sciences internship programme is running at the University of Cambridge, across the Schools of Biological Sciences and Clinical Medicine, for the fourth year.
The group of 14 undergraduate students will be in Cambridge from 8th July to 30th August, staying at Corpus Christi College and working in research labs across both Schools. The new student cohort were selected from over 240 applications from 63 universities in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The programme is run in partnership with Corpus Christi College, who organise a wide range of extra-curricular and social activities, support a mentorship programme with current Cambridge PhD students and provide accommodation for the duration of the internship.
Over the course of the 8-week stay, the students will gain valuable lab-based research experience and receive comprehensive training, from data analysis and visualisation, to science communication and networking sessions, developing a wide range of skills that will support future career directions. Each student has the option to be paired with a dedicated mentor from among current PhD students and research staff to offer support and also to extend professional networking opportunities. Additional training sessions will support the students to prepare competitive postgraduate applications and explore the diverse career opportunities that a science degree can enable.
Following a warm welcome from the academic programme leads Janet Deane, Janet Kumita and Betty Chung, everyone enjoyed lunch together before continuing with their induction activities. The group have been introduced to various fascinating parts of the University and College environment, including a guided tour of the Museum of Zoology.
Academic Lead, Janet Deane said, "It was great to see all the new interns here in Cambridge and enjoying their introduction to the University and this programme. There was fabulous engagement at the session and continued into lunch with lots of questions and great enthusiasm for this opportunity."
Corpus Christi Postgraduate Student Mentor, Satish Viswanathan said: “I have been a postgraduate mentor for two years now and have loved every moment of it. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me, providing the opportunity to share knowledge, inspire young bright minds and contribute to their academic development. I look forward to a wonderful few weeks of summer interacting with the students.”
On the final day of the programme, the interns will present their scientific work at the Student Symposium and attend a formal dinner at Corpus Christi College.
About the Programme
Experience Postgrad Life Sciences is a paid 8-week research internships programme for UK and Republic of Ireland residents who are studying at a UK or Republic of Ireland university for their undergraduate bachelor’s degree and are in their penultimate year of study.
In Summer 2024, the Experience Postgrad Life Sciences Internship Programme will be supported by:
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, providing accommodation, free of charge, for interns.
School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge
School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge
Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge
The Wellcome Trust
New England Biolabs UK
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)