NYSCF Summer Internship Program

Data Science interns manage microscopic image acquisition, data handling, and quality analysis of large datasets. View the full position description here.

Candidates interested in hybrid opportunities will be given consideration, but must be able to commit to onsite work at least 4 days per week. Fully virtual internships are not an option for this track.

Application essay questions:
How would this position help your larger career goals?
Which are your three strongest software development skills and which are your three weakest software development skills that you want to improve?
Are you able to describe a time when you combined computational skills and innovative thinking to overcome a technical problem relating to large datasets?
If you have worked on computer vision real world project in the past, please describe the approach you used.

Automation / Software Engineering interns support the development of the NYSCF Global Stem Cell Array®, a robotic system that automates both iPSC derivation and downstream differentiations and assays. View the full position description here.

Candidates interested in hybrid opportunities will be given consideration, but must be able to commit to onsite work at least 4 days per week. Fully virtual internships are not an option for this track.

Application essay questions:
How would this position help your larger career goals?
Can you provide a technical description of the most rewarding project you’ve worked on?
Which are your three strongest software development skills and which are your three weakest software development skills that you want to improve?
If you have experience in hardware, please provide examples of how you have used hardware (Raspberry Pi, 3D Printing etc.) to solve problems or provide examples of how you’ve used such tools in practical applications.

Programs Administration interns join one of the teams at the office headquarters, which range from business development to scientific communications and outreach to external affairs, among others. This is an administrative position. View the full position description here.

Candidates interested in hybrid opportunities will be given consideration, but must be able to commit to onsite work at least 4 days per week. Fully virtual internships are not an option for this track.

Application essay questions:
Why do you want an internship at NYSCF?
What do you see as the most promising application of stem cell research?
What are your long-term career aspirations?
Please pick one or two department(s) (full list in application portal) and explain how you would contribute to that team and what you hope to learn.

Laboratory Research interns conduct project-based research in the NYSCF Research Institute under the guidance of a NYSCF scientist. Prospective interns are matched with mentors based on available projects, relevant experience, and common scientific interests. View the full position description here.

This internship is onsite only at the NYSCF Research Institute in New York City due to the nature of the projects.

Application essay questions:
Why do you want an internship at the NYSCF Laboratory?
What do you see as the most promising application of stem cell research?
Choose a recent scientific publication that you have read and share why you think that research is so important.
Which scientific field do you plan to focus on after graduation and what are your long-term career aspirations?
Do you have any previous scientific lab experience outside of coursework? If so, please detail.

Programmatic Questions Eligibility Questions  Administrative Questions

When will the internship application open?
The 2025 internship application will release in December 2024.

Will the internship program be run in-person or virtually?
NYSCF offers primarily onsite internships. Opportunities for hybrid internships are also possible dependent on track.

How much research experience is required?
Applications are reviewed holistically, factoring in many elements, including your research experience. That being said, for Laboratory Research track internships specifically, you should have some experience outside of your coursework, and tissue culture work experience would be a definite boost to your candidacy.

Will I get to choose the project I am part of?
If invited to interview, you will be introduced to some of the projects you would most likely be a good fit for. While the mentor will select your project / topic based on the candidate’s skillset and interest, if accepted, you will be notified of the topic and department at the time of the offer letter.

Can I apply to more than one track for the internship program?
Yes, you may apply to two tracks maximum. In the application, please make your track selection for the track of your top choice. Then, complete all essay questions for both of the two tracks you are interested in.

Can I apply as a high school student?
Our high school internship program is not an open call and is solely open to partners of the NYSCF Summer Internship Program. If you have any specific questions, please email internship@nyscf.org.

What are the requirements for applying?
To be eligible, candidates must:
Be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited institution, and also have completed at least one year as a matriculating undergraduate student at the time of internship. Recent college graduates and graduate students are also welcome to apply.
Be a United States Citizen or Permanent Resident Alien at the time of applying or a foreign applicant with appropriate visa documentation, as required by U.S. Immigration, valid for the course of the internship.
Be 18 years or older at the time the internship begins (June 2, 2025).
Have high proficiency in both Mac and PC computer, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Please note that each track has its own eligibility requirements and preferences.

Do students need lab experience?
Laboratory Research applicants are highly encouraged to obtain previous laboratory experience outside of coursework experience. Lab experiences from high school may be mentioned.

I am in my final year of university. Can I still apply?
Yes, recent graduates are eligible to apply.

My cumulative GPA is lower than a 3.0. Can I still apply?
A 3.0 GPA is preferred but not required. If you believe you are a strong candidate, you should feel free to apply. You may consider addressing this issue in your cover letter.

I am an international student. Am I eligible?
Yes, we do accept students from outside of the United States. International students are eligible to apply, as long as they are authorized to work in the United States. In order to be authorized to work in the United States, you must have the appropriate visa documentation, as required by U.S. Immigration, valid for the course of the Internship. Please note that NYSCF does not provide funding for visas.

I am a current Master’s student or recent graduate of a Master’s program. Am I eligible?
Yes, you are eligible to apply.

I will be starting a PhD program in the fall. Can I apply for the internship the summer before I begin?
Yes, you are eligible.

I am a current PhD student or recent graduate of a PhD program. Am I eligible?
No, PhD students or recent graduates are not eligible.

I am a current MD student or recent graduate of a MD program. Am I eligible?
No, MD students or recent graduates are not eligible.

Is housing provided, or is there a housing stipend?
Interns must secure their own housing. Successful candidates will meet before the program officially begins, which many interns utilize to set up housing and rooming accommodations.

Is the internship paid?
Yes, interns are paid hourly at the rates outlined above, full-time throughout the 10 weeks.

What is the work schedule at NYSCF?
The internship is full-time for 10 weeks, 35 hours a week. Office hours are 9:30am – 5:30pm Eastern.

I have a schedule conflict during the summer. Can I still apply?
Schedule conflicts are considered on a case-by-case basis. We recommend sending an email to internship@nyscf.org for more information on your specific situation. There will be a question on the internship application itself about your eligibility to attend the full program, so be sure to disclose this conflict there.

How many internship spots are available? What is the selection rate?
We do not disclose the specific selection rate as this changes year to year depending on project/mentor availability. However, it is a highly competitive program. We typically have around 20 interns a summer.

When will I receive a decision on my application?
We expect to send out decisions in March.

What type of reference do I need?
You need at least one reference’s details. The nature of the reference (personal or professional) is up to the candidate. However, we typically see at least one professional reference.

I attend a university that does not use a 4.0 GPA scale. What should I do?
Please use an online converter for your GPA. We will reference your transcript and CV to cross reference if the reviewers have questions.

Who should I address my cover letter to?
Please address it to a standard Hiring Manager, or a To Whom It May Concern, as there will be multiple reviewers looking through each application.

I applied to the internship program through a partner website or program. Was my application submitted properly?
Applications must be filled out directly through our website to be considered. Please visit https://nyscf.org/summer-internship for more information and for a direct link to the application portal.

I have submitted my application, but I have now realized that I need to change something. What should I do?
Please contact internship@nyscf.org with your request, and someone from our team will assist you.

NYSCF is committed to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in STEM. Overcoming the impact of systematic racism, sexism, and other discrimination that has systematically marginalized certain groups from STEM research is critical for a productive, innovative scientific community. NYSCF strongly encourages applications from applicants of all ethnicities, cultures, religions, nationalities, abilities and disabilities, sexes, gender identities, sexual orientations, geographic locations, and socioeconomic statuses.

We invite all applicants to voluntarily self-identify their race and gender. Submission of the information on this form is strictly voluntary and any responses (or non-responses) to this section will not affect the review of your application.

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