2020 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENT SUMMER INTERNSHIP  

  

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1, 2020 

  

INTERNSHIP DETAILS

  

The SUMMER RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS are designed to provide undergraduate college students opportunities to be mentored by professionals in their chosen research field, to become familiar with the use of state-of-the-art scientific equipment and technology, and to learn valuable interpersonal and presentation skills. The goal of these programs is to expose aspiring researchers and clinicians to exciting advances in biomedical sciences that will help define their career paths. 

  

For the 2020 SUMMER RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS, students will have the opportunity to work in the areas of cancer biology, epigenetics, metabolism, neurobiology and/or structural biology. For more information on Van Andel Institute (VAI) Laboratories, please click here. For more information on our VAI Core Technologies and Services, please click here. 

  

We expect to support 20 - 25 RESEARCH internships, depending on the needs of VAI faculty and core directors/managers. Summer interns will be paired with a scientific investigator and/or their designee for an intense 10-week research experience. Students will gain an understanding of the latest research methods, instruments, and testing procedures. They will learn how to design experiments and see how their test results can contribute to a larger research project. At the end of each internship program, students will give an oral presentation or poster presentation about their experience to VAI research staff. 

  

FREDERIK AND LENA MEIJER STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (20 - 25 RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS) 

  

In 2001, Fred and Lena Meijer began funding the Frederik and Lena Meijer Summer Internship Program. The Meijer family continues to generously support this program allowing students to gain valuable research experience. 

  

UNCF INTERNSHIPS (2 RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS) 

  

Van Andel Institute Graduate School (VAIGS) partners with UNCF to match students interested in biomedical research careers with summer research internships at Van Andel Institute. This program will provide students with essential experience, mentoring and financial support. 

  

PROGRAM TIMELINE

  

Students are required to begin on one of two program start dates: 

   

• Session I: May 11, 2020 – July 17, 2020
• Session II: June 1, 2020 - August 7, 2020

   

INTERNSHIP ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

 

Undergraduate college students must have completed at least one year of higher education (equivalent to 24 credit hours), be enrolled in a science/research related degree program, and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. 

  

STUDENTS WHO HAVE GRADUATED BEFORE THE START DATE OF THE SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (MAY 2020) ARE INELIGIBLE. IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED AS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT OR IN A MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM, YOU ARE INELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. 

  

International students are eligible to apply if they meet the requirements for the program and are legally permitted to work and earn income in the United States. Van Andel Institute will typically not sponsor visas for summer-only employment. 

  

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE ONLINE APPLICATION 

     

ATTACHMENTS YOU NEED TO SUPPORT YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION: 

  

A cover letter, resume, and official/unofficial transcript will need to be combined as one single PDF file and then uploaded as an attachment with your online application.  

  

• A cover letter, as a PDF document, indicating why you would like to participate in this summer internship and your career goals;
• A resume, as a PDF document, which includes your education, research experience, volunteer experience, and publications (if any);
• Official transcripts (or unofficial transcripts), as a PDF document, from your college or university. It is important to note you will be responsible for uploading your transcripts to your online application. Any transcripts received via email or from your institutions transcripts delivery service will not be accepted.

 

  

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION MATERIALS REQUIRED:

  

• Two (2) current letters of recommendation. Ask professors, research mentors and/or supervisors to submit letters of recommendation, on institute letterhead, in PDF electronic format to undergrad@vai.edu or mailed to the following address:

 

    

Undergraduate & Internship Program Committee (98001/VAIGS) 

Undergraduate Summer Internship Program 

 Van Andel Institute 

 333 Bostwick Avenue NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2518 

  

 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONS:

 

THERE ARE 16 PRE-EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONS THAT APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO ANSWER AS PART OF THE ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS. SEVERAL OF THE QUESTIONS WILL REQUIRE APPLICANTS TO REVIEW THE VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE’S:

 

QUESTION NUMBER 13 will require applicants to select their top area of research interest (CANCER BIOLOGY, EPIGENETICS, METABOLISM, NEUROBIOLOGY OR STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY). 

  

QUESTION NUMBER 14 will require applicants to select their top five laboratories (or Lead Investigators) of interest. Click here to review our research labs.  

  

QUESTION NUMBER 15 will require applicants to select their top three core technologies of interest. Click here to review our core technologies. 

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

Before beginning the online employment application, review the UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENT SUMMER INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION in its entirety. Please also COMBINE your cover letter, resume and transcript as A SINGLE PDF FILE. 

 

1. Click the_“_APPLY” button to start VAI's online employment application  

2. Review and accept the application certification to continue with completing the online application

3. Complete the remainder of the online application including:

 

Contact information

Using the “resume/CV document” feature, upload THE SINGLE PDF FILE with your cover letter, resume and transcript after you enter your contact information

Job preferences

Work authorization status

Education

 Profile attachments – As long as you uploaded your cover letter, resume and transcript under the contact information section, you will not need to upload any additional documents under profile attachments section

Resume/CV content – As long as you uploaded your cover letter, resume and transcript under the contact information section, you will not need to upload any additional documents under the resume/cv content section

Pre-employment questions for undergraduate student applicants

• There are 16 pre-employment questions in total.
• All provided fields/sections must be completed accurately and thoroughly for consideration in the Undergraduate Research Student Summer Internship Program
• Please make sure you have reviewed the VAI faculty profiles and core technologies before answering pre-employment questions #13, #14, and #15. Faculty profiles can be reviewed in alphabetical order by the Lead Investigator's last name or by research area (or center)

 

Voluntary-Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Review Reasonable Accommodation Notice

   

INTERVIEW & SELECTION PROCESS

  

Complete applications will be reviewed by the Undergraduate & Internship Program Committee and VAI Faculty after February 15, 2020. Applicants selected for interviews are generally contacted by mid-March and employment offers are usually extended by mid-April. If additional summer opportunities become available after this time, your application may be reconsidered. 

  

Any inquiries regarding your student internship application should be made via e-mail to undergrad@vai.edu; inquiries will receive responses as information becomes available. 

  

All offers for student intern positions will be contingent upon the satisfactory results of a Background Investigation and Drug Screen. 

  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  

Assignments may involve the use of potentially hazardous chemicals, hazardous or radioactive materials, or may be in areas where such materials are used. Adherence to safety policies and procedures along with proper storage and disposal methods are required. 

  

SALARY

  []

    

SUMMER HOLIDAYS

 

Student Interns are not eligible for holiday pay on the following days VAI officially closes for business: 

• Memorial Day – Monday, May 25, 2020
• Independence Day – Friday, July 3, 2020 (observed)

 

HOUSING

 

Local area colleges/universities may have student housing available. Students are responsible for their own travel, housing, room and board.  

• GVSU: https://www.gvsu.edu/internhousing/

• 2020 Tentative Move-In Dates: May 8, 2020 or after

• 2020 Tentative Move-Out Dates: August 8, 2020 or August 15, 2020

• Aquinas:  https://www.aquinas.edu/residence-life 

• 2020 Tentative Move-In Dates: May 15, 2020 or after

• 2020 Tentative Move-Out Dates: July 31, 2020

• If you require additional information on housing options, please contact Michelle Love at undergrad@vai.edu.

 

PARKING

  

Students will have the option to purchase a $15 parking pass for the ramp on Michigan Street, directly across from VAI. 

Required Skills Required Experience