Summer in the Lab internship program

© Bob de Graffenried – EPFL ENAC LHE
The Summer in the Lab internship program aims at creating a bridge between education and research by offering EPFL students, starting at Bachelor’s level, a summer internship that will sharpen their focus, strengthen their CV and allow them to immerse themselves in real research.
The Summer in the Lab internship program is a unique chance to …
… discover or confirm interest in research
… have a real taste of the scientific research challenges and accomplishments
… understand what a research career entails and prepare for it
… expand knowledge, learn new techniques and develop new skills
… gain experience in a cutting-edge lab and boost career prospects
… work and interact with first-rate researchers
Why choose this program?
As a participant of the Summer in the Lab internship program, you will spend two months in an EPFL laboratory of your choice. The School has over 370 cutting-edge laboratories across science, technology and engineering, giving you the opportunity to explore your interests with dedicated mentors. You can either choose to come with a specific project agreed upon in advance with an EPFL professor or pick three preferred laboratories where you would like to work.
Throughout the program, you will also benefit from a selected range of interpersonal training courses to develop your communication and leadership skills. Focusing on the acquisition of transversal skills, these courses will help you empower yourself to work well with others, improve your abilities to pitch your ideas and to cultivate passion and resilience throughout your scientific career.
Last but not least, you will enjoy your summer around social activities organized with a community of EPFL interns that works hard but also plays hard!

With the Summer in the Lab program, students can gain a more realistic and deeper view of their field of studies. I believe that having such an internship on a person’s CV typically expresses their motivation and potential to stand out and prove that they are eager to acquire practical experience but also that they are open-minded and willing to develop their soft skills.
Calendar and timeline
The full-time internship should last eight weeks in the period from July to September. Exact start and finish dates should be agreed with the laboratory. The internship should take place on-site in the agreed EPFL laboratory, which could be located in Lausanne (main campus) or in one of the associated campus in Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Geneva or Sion.
The Summer in the Lab internship program offers soft skill workshops in scientific communication and leadership to all interns. These courses are strongly recommended: three additional Saturdays should be anticipated. The workshops calendar will be communicated to all shortlisted candidates in April.

© Alain Herzog / EPFL




Summer in the Lab in short
- A selective internship program with a maximum of 25 EPFL students each summer
- Eight weeks of research experience in the period from July to September (exact dates to be determined with the laboratory)
- A stipend (CHF 2,000 per month – pro rata) provided to all candidates selected
- A soft skills development training program tailored to scientists
- A presentation of the interns’ work to the public at a closing symposium
- An official EPFL internship certificate delivered to all interns

Eligibility & application
If you feel ready to join the program, make sure that you are eligible and prepare your application.

Program flyer
Download the flyer of the Summer in the Lab internship program’s first edition.
Contact
For further information on the Summer in the Lab internship program, please contact us:
EPFL AVP-SAO SPE
Centre Midi – CM2 348
Station 10
CH – 1015 Lausanne