Second year science internships

I've just completed my first year, going into second year of biomedical sciences in London and I wanted to ask a few questions and advice on finding one?? especially the success rates in finding one in London. How are interviews for them usually structured and are paid internships achieveable (seen as i know most are unpaid)?

What websites are best to use to look for lab, hospital or data analysis? and if anyone has tips on messaging on LinkedIn please post e.g how to start off finding and messaging as well as reply rates ect. :smile:

Reply 1

na_tsu

Original post by na_tsu

I've just completed my first year, going into second year of biomedical sciences in London and I wanted to ask a few questions and advice on finding one?? especially the success rates in finding one in London. How are interviews for them usually structured and are paid internships achieveable (seen as i know most are unpaid)?
What websites are best to use to look for lab, hospital or data analysis? and if anyone has tips on messaging on LinkedIn please post e.g how to start off finding and messaging as well as reply rates ect. :smile:

bump

Reply 2

academicsword

There aren't many paid internships in science - you can offer free labour as work experience in some research labs (which is what I did). Sometimes, asking your professors might help you get some experience if they're looking for a helping hand. There are also some charities which can help fund the research you want to conduct.

Here's a link to some places where you might obtain experience: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/how-to/scientific-research-opportunities/opportunities-in-the-uk/

Let me know if you have any questions!

Reply 3

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by na_tsu

I've just completed my first year, going into second year of biomedical sciences in London and I wanted to ask a few questions and advice on finding one?? especially the success rates in finding one in London. How are interviews for them usually structured and are paid internships achieveable (seen as i know most are unpaid)?
What websites are best to use to look for lab, hospital or data analysis? and if anyone has tips on messaging on LinkedIn please post e.g how to start off finding and messaging as well as reply rates ect. :smile:

Hi @na_tsu

Another internship option is finding one at your university. Many universities labs offer several summer internships, often with a stipend provided to the student. If there aren't any official internships advertised by your department, if any of your lecturers/academic tutor are members of certain bioscience societies e.g. the British Society of Cell Biology, and agree to supervise you for a summer internship, they can apply for funding. It's a really interesting option and something I'd recommend looking into!

Rebecca (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Reply 4

na_tsu

Original post by academicsword

There aren't many paid internships in science - you can offer free labour as work experience in some research labs (which is what I did). Sometimes, asking your professors might help you get some experience if they're looking for a helping hand. There are also some charities which can help fund the research you want to conduct.
Here's a link to some places where you might obtain experience: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/careers/how-to/scientific-research-opportunities/opportunities-in-the-uk/
Let me know if you have any questions!

Thank you so much! Did you apply to any charities to help fund your research? and regarding the research did you do it alongside tasks given to you by the lab you volunteered at or was it the lab who allowed you to focus on your own projects. How easy was it for you to get volunteering longer than e.g a week or 2?

hope i didnt bombard you with too many questions

Reply 5

na_tsu

Original post by Lancaster Student Ambassador

Hi @na_tsu
Another internship option is finding one at your university. Many universities labs offer several summer internships, often with a stipend provided to the student. If there aren't any official internships advertised by your department, if any of your lecturers/academic tutor are members of certain bioscience societies e.g. the British Society of Cell Biology, and agree to supervise you for a summer internship, they can apply for funding. It's a really interesting option and something I'd recommend looking into!
Rebecca (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

thank you so much for your response :smile:

) would you say its worth looking into the NHS for roles too? and are there any more bioscience societies you would recommend looking at?

Thanks again!

Reply 6

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post by na_tsu

thank you so much for your response :smile:

) would you say its worth looking into the NHS for roles too? and are there any more bioscience societies you would recommend looking at?
Thanks again!

Hi @na_tsu

In all honesty I really don't know anything about NHS roles, so I'm probably not the best person to answer on that!

In terms of funding for summer studentships, it really depends on what affiliations the lab you want to work in has to certain societies. I've not looked into the details but it looks like the Royal Society of Biology offers some opportunities, as well as the Genetics Society and the Biochemical Society. I'd recommend reaching out any careers advisors in your department for more information/opportunities!

Rebecca (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

(edited 10 months ago)

Reply 7

academicsword

Original post by na_tsu

The research I did was just something I assisted in rather than a product of my own innovation, so I didn't need to apply to charities to do it. But there definitely are some societies (like the Royal Biological Society) that will offer bursaries and stipends. Additionally, if you have a research supervisor they may be able to apply on your behalf or your professors, who might already have funding, might be willing to let you assist in their research.

I'd also recommend checking out whether your own uni has some sort of experience program - I know King's and Imperial do - which might work for you!