Sciences Internships

Sciences internships

Build your employability skills, professional connections and career-readiness – complete a sciences internship!

The faculty offers undergraduate students studying science an opportunity to do a professional internship for credit.

You will spend about 20 days at a host organisation, immersed in opportunities to use your analytical, problem solving, collaboration and time management skills as well as develop your interpersonal skills and build your networks.

Internships are usually based with industry partners, businesses, not-for-profit organisations and government bodies. The opportunities are not typically lab based.


Postgraduate and research students

Short-term placements, internships and projects are also available to postgraduate and research students. These are structured differently to the SCIENCE 2700 and SCIENCE 3700 courses, so please email internships@adelaide.edu.au to register your interest. Research students are also encouraged to consult with their supervisor.


Internships process

  • What to expect

    • You will be enrolled in a Science Internship Course (SCIENCE 2700SCIENCE 3700 or SCIENCE 4700) by the Faculty of SET.
    • You will attend the host organisation's workplace for approximately 20 days (150 hours, which is equivalent to about two days per week over a semester).
    • Internships may occur during or outside of normal semesters.
    • You will have the opportunity to negotiate the exact days and times with your host organisation.
    • You will attend an employability workshop on campus at the start of the semester and a post-internship workshop on campus at the end of the semester.
    • A fortnightly diary and final report are assessed and graded for this course.
    • Your course coordinator will be Dr Hayley McGrice.
  • Eligibility criteria

    • To be eligible for a science internship you must meet the following conditions:
    • Be a current undergraduate student studying a science degree.
    • Have completed 36 units of study by the start of the internship.
    • Have a GPA of 4.2 or above (exceptions apply).
    • Have attended a resume writing workshop or completed the online module and have an updated, polished resume.
    • Have a 3-unit elective available in your program.
    • Be available and committed to attend your internship for its duration.

    Note: The sciences internship is different to the structured industry placements which form part of the following degrees. You should discuss with your program coordinator or a program advisor whether or not your degree allows you to also enrol in SCIENCE 2700, SCIENCE 3700 or SCIENCE 4700.

  • How to apply

    Internship opportunities may be limited due to the COVID-19 situation.

    At this time, you will not need to submit a general registration of interest online.

    You should monitor CareerHub for available internships and lodge an application for each opportunity of interest.

    Internships Current opportunities

  • Finding your own internship

    You may source your own internship opportunity through your own networks. The University will first need to review the host organisation and the internship role to ensure it meets the requirements for the Science Internship course.

    If you have identified an internship opportunity, email internships@adelaide.edu.au to discuss if you are able to undertake it for credit.

  • Preparing for an internship

    1. Update your resume / CV
      • You should consider an internship as your first professional role. Like any professional job, you'll need to have an updated and polished resume, as this will be the first contact a potential internship host organisation will have with you.
      • Attend a Careers Service Resume Writing Workshop
    2. Refresh your interviewing skills
      • You will likely have an interview with a potential host organisation to secure an internship. This may happen face-to-face, via phone or online. Host organisations will often interview 2-3 students and select one for the internship. 
      • Attend a Careers Service Interview Skills Workshop

What's next?