Program overview

Duration: 1 year
Class size: 4-8 students per year
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Program Dates: August 1-July 31

Students enrolled at the University of Manchester, University of Leeds, or University of York may elect to complete a research internship in the Department of Neuroscience or Department of Cancer Biology at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

Application process

Application timeline

Application instructions

Complete the following steps to apply:

1. Create an account to begin the online Application for Admission. Select the following when creating an account:
   • School of Study - Office of Non-Clinical Education Programs
   • Area of Interest - Biomedical Sciences International Internship
2. Once logged on, select "Create a New Application."
3. Select "Start a Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Experience Application."
4. Complete each section of the application and submit.
5. After submission:
   
   • Select the "View" button next to your application.
   • Select the "Supplemental Items & Documents" tab.
   • Upload your supplemental items.

Additional required items

• CV/resume
• Personal statement
  • Explain how your personal interests, education, and/or experience align with this internship opportunity
• Unofficial college transcripts
• One letter of recommendation is required and must be completed in the Recommendation Request section. The recommender will receive an email with a link to upload a letter.
  • Professional: References should be individuals who are/were an authority figure in your current/previous schooling or place of employment (i.e., supervisor, teacher).

Interview

For students selected to move forward in the application process, virtual interviews will be held November 16 and 17.

Acceptance

Upon acceptance, students must complete the following:

• Provide required information requested by Mayo Clinic Florida International Personnel Office (IPO), including J-1 visa application.
• Letter of English language proficiency attestation.
• The onboarding process includes a background check, drug screen, proof of immunizations, and medical insurance. 

Curriculum

The student will perform research within a laboratory part of the Department of Neuroscience or Department of Cancer Biology at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, for one year. The student will develop various skills necessary to conduct medical research, and will specifically learn to:

• Apply safe and adapted technical methods to test well-defined hypotheses.
• Learn and implement a wide range of research techniques, both generic laboratory skills and highly specific experimental protocols.
• Critically interpret and analyze data.
• Develop collaborative skills and become an active member of a research group.
• Develop a good understanding of the principles of neuroscience or cancer research, specifically of the research project undertaken.
• Present results obtained in a comprehensive manner.

What to expect

In order to gain familiarity with the assigned research topic, the student will initially be provided with scientific papers to read and will participate to group discussions to define his/her research.

The student will first learn laboratory skills and techniques by observing, then will slowly transition to hands-on training with senior scientists in the laboratory. This includes involvement of students in other projects in order to facilitate their skill development, which may result in their contribution to other projects in the laboratory.

As skills are acquired, the student will have an opportunity to design and conduct independent research under the supervision and guidance of the principal investigator or assigned supervisors. This will be based on the maturity of the student as an independent researcher.

Evaluation

The student will undergo 360-degree reviews of laboratory skills by the principal investigator and research laboratory colleagues throughout the internship. The attendance and participation of the student in lab meetings, scientific lectures, and workshops at Mayo Clinic are expected and will be evaluated.

The student will present a summary of their research project at a Mayo Clinic seminar at the end of the internship to evaluate the skills and knowledge acquired. Ability to communicate research progress will also be evaluated.

Schedule

The internship will require 40 hours per week.

Stipend and benefits

Admitted students receive an annual $38,434 USD stipend and are paid on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

Students are responsible for housing and transportation.