This program provides a unique opportunity for advanced graduate students to gain practical experience. During the internship, PhD students will work alongside experienced professionals and apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. Benefits to students include:
- developing new skills in dynamic employment environments
- gaining practical experience and insight to help them make informed career decisions
- enhancing their professional networks
- a summer stipend and fringe benefits funded by the Graduate School
Summer 2023 doctoral interns report gaining professional experience, growing their professional networks, and developing new skills.
Deadline to apply: Monday, December 30, 2024
Read all materials on this webpage carefully before applying at the link located below.
Eligibility requirements:
- current enrollment in a UW-Madison PhD program in the biological, physical, or social sciences divisions
- dissertator status
- satisfactory academic status
- no more than five years beyond date of admission
- letter of support and appointment release granted by PI or faculty advisor
- commitment to complete training modules on confidentiality and assignment of intellectual property prior to starting the internship
- commitment to participate in evaluation of the program
Summer 2025 Internship Opportunities
Boehringer
Specific projects for internship are determined during the interview process based on match of candidate skills and sponsor needs.
Promega
Specific projects for internship are determined during the interview process based on match of candidate skills and sponsor needs.
PPG
PPG is a coatings company, and this internship will be in R&D. Applicants should be pursuing degrees in chemistry, materials science, or engineering. Specific projects for internship are determined during the interview process based on match of candidate skills and sponsor needs.
Stem Pharm
Stem Pharm has internship opportunities related to synthetic hydrogels, complex cell systems including organoids and bioinformatics. Specific projects for internships are determined during the interview process based on match of candidate skills and sponsor needs.
Thermo Fisher
Two graduate level R&D internship positions were available at the Rockford, Illinois site, located 60 miles south of UW-Madison. Specific internship projects are developed around the candidate’s skills and Thermo Fisher’s business needs. Potential projects may include the development of reagents and instruments in the areas of next generation Western blotting, structural biology (CryoEM and mass spectrometry), and protein/antibody purification, detection, and quantitation. Interns are trained on the product development process under the guidance of an R&D scientist mentor and R&D and product management. Please note that this internship is unable to take students who require sponsorships for work (CTP).
Steps to apply:
The deadline to apply for the summer 2025 internship program will be Monday, December 30, 2024.
- Carefully read the eligibility information on this page and review the internship openings posted above.
- Click the apply link below and provide the following:
- name, contact information, degree program, international status (if applicable), and current funding support
- PI/faculty advisor’s name and email address
- letter of support and appointment release granted by PI or faculty advisor
- current CV (PDF), which addresses your research, software, and instrumentation skills, as well as list your publications, presentations, and other career development achievements
- 1-page cover letter (PDF) that describes to the employer(s) your interests, skills, and qualifications
- up to 3 internship opportunities for which you would like to be considered
- After you have applied, your information will be screened to ensure eligibility requirements are met. If so, your materials will be provided to employers for the internships in which you expressed interest.
- Employers may contact you for additional information and/or to schedule an interview.
- Selection decisions will be made and communicated to applicants near the end of February, 2025.
- The Graduate School will provide funding to cover the cost of a Research Assistant appointment at the departmental rate for the period of the internship. Dissertator enrollment will be required during the summer.
International students interested in the program must have approval from ISS for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization before they begin an internship and meet the following criteria:
- have an official internship offer that is directly related to their major and degree level.
- have completed at least 2 semesters in valid F-1 visa status.
- enroll in an appropriate CPT course (as determined by the department). For dissertator students, this can be the same course they enroll in for their dissertator credits.
An international student must be returned from the internship and working on their degree for at least one semester before graduation. The internship cannot be used to delay graduation.
Please note that Thermo Fisher is unable to take students who require sponsorships for work (CTP).