Research internship and mentoring

An eight-week supervised internship in an EPFL laboratory, complemented by guidance and support from PhD student mentors.

Whether driven by an interest in a research career or curiosity about life in a laboratory, students can strengthen their scientific thinking, tackle real-world challenges, and develop valuable transferable skills through hands-on research. Guidance from PhD students mentors further enriches the experience by providing insight into academic research and personalized support throughout the program.

Research internship

The internship lasts eight weeks between June and September, with exact dates agreed upon with the host laboratory. Each participant receives a scholarship of CHF 4,000 for the duration of the internship.

During the application process, students can select three laboratories that match their research interests and academic profile. The aim is to place each student in one of their preferred laboratories, depending on availability and the laboratories’ selection decisions. They can choose from around 500 EPFL laboratories and research groups across a wide range of disciplines, located at the main campus in Lausanne or at EPFL’s associated campuses in Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Geneva, and Sion.

Mentoring

Each participant can choose a female PhD student as their mentor, who accompanies them throughout their research internship. This close connection provides ongoing guidance and support, giving students a trusted person they can turn to with questions about day-to-day research culture and PhD life, including the challenges, opportunities, and expectations that come with pursuing advanced studies. PhD students serve as approachable contacts who can share their own experiences, offer advice, and provide recommendations on how to make the most of the internship and prepare for the next steps in an academic career. They also help participants build confidence, gain motivation, and better understand the pathways, habits, and decisions that can support a successful transition toward graduate studies and a potential research career.