Research Internships
Research internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working researchers and scientists, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings today concentrate in Education, Investment & Asset Management, and Technology & Software, with MD Anderson Cancer Center, World Bank, and SIG SAUER among the employers posting roles now.
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Description
Research Intern – Urologic Oncology (Toro Health Pathways Program)
About the Program
Toro Health Pathways (THP) is a nine-month postbaccalaureate internship program created through a collaboration between the Cedars-Sinai Cancer Research Center for Health Equity (CRTEC) and California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). The program provides recent CSUDH graduates with an immersive, hands-on research experience in cancer and related health sciences, helping prepare participants for graduate education and research careers.
Position Summary
The Research Intern will join a urologic oncology research team focused on advancing the understanding of prostate cancer through epidemiologic and translational research. Working alongside experienced investigators and research professionals, the intern will gain exposure to molecular characterization of prostate cancer, transcriptomic research, biomarker evaluation, scientific literature review, and collaborative cancer research.
This position is designed for individuals interested in cancer biology, translational medicine, epidemiology, and academic research who are seeking meaningful research experience prior to graduate or professional school.
Key Responsibilities
- Participate in research team orientation and onboarding activities.
- Collaborate with the research team to understand study objectives, research workflows, and project requirements.
- Conduct comprehensive literature reviews using systematic search methodologies.
- Critically evaluate scientific literature related to prostate cancer, molecular subtypes, transcriptomics, and biomarkers.
- Observe and support research activities involving transcriptomic data analysis and biomarker evaluation.
- Assist with data organization, interpretation of molecular findings, and research documentation.
- Attend weekly one-on-one mentorship meetings and research team meetings.
- Contribute literature updates and research progress during team discussions.
- Develop and present a scientific research poster at the Toro Health Pathways Poster Session.
Learning Objectives
Throughout the internship, participants will:
- Gain experience in translational and epidemiologic cancer research.
- Develop an understanding of molecular profiling approaches in prostate cancer.
- Learn how molecular findings inform clinical decision-making and treatment strategies.
- Build skills in research planning, literature review, data interpretation, and scientific communication.
- Experience multidisciplinary collaboration between laboratory and clinical researchers.
- Strengthen scientific writing and presentation skills.
- Build professional networks through mentorship, seminars, and peer engagement.
- Develop introductory programming skills using R and Python.
Training & Professional Development
Interns will receive structured training in:
- Systematic literature search methodology
- Scientific database searching
- Critical appraisal of oncology literature
- Prostate cancer molecular biology and transcriptomics
- Biomarker development and evaluation
- Cancer epidemiology principles
- Research data organization and interpretation
- Scientific writing and communication
- Research ethics and collaborative research practices
Additional opportunities include:
- Shadowing research team members during transcriptomic data analysis.
- Participating in discussions connecting molecular findings with clinical outcomes.
- Contributing to literature synthesis supporting ongoing research projects.
- Presenting research findings through a scientific poster.
Internship Timeline
Months 1–2
- Orientation to the research environment
- Introduction to ongoing prostate cancer research projects
- Literature search and critical appraisal training
- Research planning and team integration
Months 2–7
- Observation of transcriptomic data analysis
- Biomarker evaluation activities
- Guided data organization and interpretation
- Weekly mentorship and research team meetings
Months 8–9
- Scientific poster development
- Presentation preparation
- Poster presentation at the Toro Health Pathways Poster Session
Systems & Research Tools
Interns will gain experience using:
- Microsoft 365
- REDCap
- Deep6
- CS-IRB
Ideal Candidate
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Recent bachelor's degree in a health-related or life sciences discipline (program eligibility requirements apply)
- Interest in cancer research, translational medicine, or epidemiology
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team
- Curiosity, attention to detail, and willingness to learn new research methodologies
- Interest in developing computational skills, including R and Python
What You'll Gain
- Immersive experience in an academic cancer research environment
- One-on-one mentorship from experienced cancer researchers
- Exposure to translational oncology and molecular research
- Training in research methodologies and scientific communication
- Professional networking opportunities with researchers and peers
- Experience presenting research findings in a scientific setting
- Strong preparation for graduate, medical, or research-focused careers
Qualifications
Required Education & Experience
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Must have a HS Diploma or GED.
- Must reside in the greater Los Angeles area or surrounding cities while conducting all activities related to the intern or visitor appointment.
- INTERNS: Those participating for academic credit must receive academic credit for the duration of the internship.
- VISITORS: Must be receiving funding from an eligible sponsoring institution (employer, educator, funder, etc.).
Description
Research Intern – Urologic Oncology (Toro Health Pathways Program)
About the Program
Toro Health Pathways (THP) is a nine-month postbaccalaureate internship program created through a collaboration between the Cedars-Sinai Cancer Research Center for Health Equity (CRTEC) and California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). The program provides recent CSUDH graduates with an immersive, hands-on research experience in cancer and related health sciences, helping prepare participants for graduate education and research careers.
Position Summary
The Research Intern will join a urologic oncology research team focused on advancing the understanding of prostate cancer through epidemiologic and translational research. Working alongside experienced investigators and research professionals, the intern will gain exposure to molecular characterization of prostate cancer, transcriptomic research, biomarker evaluation, scientific literature review, and collaborative cancer research.
This position is designed for individuals interested in cancer biology, translational medicine, epidemiology, and academic research who are seeking meaningful research experience prior to graduate or professional school.
Key Responsibilities
- Participate in research team orientation and onboarding activities.
- Collaborate with the research team to understand study objectives, research workflows, and project requirements.
- Conduct comprehensive literature reviews using systematic search methodologies.
- Critically evaluate scientific literature related to prostate cancer, molecular subtypes, transcriptomics, and biomarkers.
- Observe and support research activities involving transcriptomic data analysis and biomarker evaluation.
- Assist with data organization, interpretation of molecular findings, and research documentation.
- Attend weekly one-on-one mentorship meetings and research team meetings.
- Contribute literature updates and research progress during team discussions.
- Develop and present a scientific research poster at the Toro Health Pathways Poster Session.
Learning Objectives
Throughout the internship, participants will:
- Gain experience in translational and epidemiologic cancer research.
- Develop an understanding of molecular profiling approaches in prostate cancer.
- Learn how molecular findings inform clinical decision-making and treatment strategies.
- Build skills in research planning, literature review, data interpretation, and scientific communication.
- Experience multidisciplinary collaboration between laboratory and clinical researchers.
- Strengthen scientific writing and presentation skills.
- Build professional networks through mentorship, seminars, and peer engagement.
- Develop introductory programming skills using R and Python.
Training & Professional Development
Interns will receive structured training in:
- Systematic literature search methodology
- Scientific database searching
- Critical appraisal of oncology literature
- Prostate cancer molecular biology and transcriptomics
- Biomarker development and evaluation
- Cancer epidemiology principles
- Research data organization and interpretation
- Scientific writing and communication
- Research ethics and collaborative research practices
Additional opportunities include:
- Shadowing research team members during transcriptomic data analysis.
- Participating in discussions connecting molecular findings with clinical outcomes.
- Contributing to literature synthesis supporting ongoing research projects.
- Presenting research findings through a scientific poster.
Internship Timeline
Months 1–2
- Orientation to the research environment
- Introduction to ongoing prostate cancer research projects
- Literature search and critical appraisal training
- Research planning and team integration
Months 2–7
- Observation of transcriptomic data analysis
- Biomarker evaluation activities
- Guided data organization and interpretation
- Weekly mentorship and research team meetings
Months 8–9
- Scientific poster development
- Presentation preparation
- Poster presentation at the Toro Health Pathways Poster Session
Systems & Research Tools
Interns will gain experience using:
- Microsoft 365
- REDCap
- Deep6
- CS-IRB
Ideal Candidate
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Recent bachelor's degree in a health-related or life sciences discipline (program eligibility requirements apply)
- Interest in cancer research, translational medicine, or epidemiology
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
- Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team
- Curiosity, attention to detail, and willingness to learn new research methodologies
- Interest in developing computational skills, including R and Python
What You'll Gain
- Immersive experience in an academic cancer research environment
- One-on-one mentorship from experienced cancer researchers
- Exposure to translational oncology and molecular research
- Training in research methodologies and scientific communication
- Professional networking opportunities with researchers and peers
- Experience presenting research findings in a scientific setting
- Strong preparation for graduate, medical, or research-focused careers
Qualifications
Required Education & Experience
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Must have a HS Diploma or GED.
- Must reside in the greater Los Angeles area or surrounding cities while conducting all activities related to the intern or visitor appointment.
- INTERNS: Those participating for academic credit must receive academic credit for the duration of the internship.
- VISITORS: Must be receiving funding from an eligible sponsoring institution (employer, educator, funder, etc.).
Research Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Investment & Asset Management
- Technology & Software
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Agriculture & Farming
Tips for Your Research Internship Search
Apply earlier than the role posting suggests
Large employers running structured research cohorts recruit summer interns the preceding fall, sometimes closing applications before the calendar year even turns. Smaller labs and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Map out your target employers in August or September and watch for openings instead of waiting until spring.
Build a documented project portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams evaluating research interns expect limited work history and look for evidence of what you can actually do. Two or three complete projects, with the methods, tools, and results written up and linked to a public repository, published analysis, or case study, give recruiters something concrete to assess.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors and career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and catches openings that never appear at fairs.
Practice your technical screen out loud before you apply
Research intern interviews typically include a technical screen, a coding assessment on data structures and algorithms for engineering-adjacent roles, an analytics or statistical reasoning exercise for data roles, or a research-design conversation for applied science positions. Practice explaining your reasoning aloud as you work through problems, since interviewers weigh how you think as much as the final answer.
Target structured cohort and rotational programs first
Larger organizations run dedicated research internship pipelines, university hiring programs, rotational cohorts, and lab apprenticeships built to train people new to the field. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and often convert interns at higher rates than ad-hoc roles. Identify the ones that fit your background and apply in the first wave of their recruiting cycle.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 59% of the research internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to, city, relocation, or fully remote, before you start reviewing listings. Filtering by location and work type up front on Migrate Mate means you spend time on roles you can actually accept, not sorting through ones you cannot.
Research Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a research internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For research candidates, the concrete artifact is a linked portfolio of documented analyses, published findings, or annotated data sets that gives recruiters something real to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a research internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for research interns is performance on real project work, whether the team has open headcount when your internship ends, and how early you signal interest in returning. Position for a return offer by delivering complete, documented work, without counting on it.
When should I apply for research internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers, particularly those running structured cohort programs, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often with deadlines in September or October. Smaller companies, labs, and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking regularly and applying as soon as a role opens gives you the best shot at any cohort size.
Are research internships paid?
Most professional research internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it. Academic lab positions and nonprofit fellowships are more likely to be unpaid or stipend-based, so read each listing carefully before applying.
What should a research internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Feature two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools and methods you used and link to where the work lives, published analyses, annotated data sets, a GitHub repository, or a written case study. Add relevant coursework directly below projects. Keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote research internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 41% of the research internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get research internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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