Are you thinking of a career in science and medical research? QIMR Berghofer has a free work experience program for eligible Year 11 and 12 students.

The laboratory work experience program takes place over three days and offers introductory laboratory training in our purpose-built Education Lab, followed by a placement in one of our working research laboratories.  Students will undertake training in a range of molecular biology skills including:

• Pipetting and serial dilutions
• DNA extraction and PCR
• Agarose gel electrophoresis
• Vortexing and centrifugation
• Microscopy
• Blood smears

2025 PROGRAM DATES

• 22-24 September, 2025
  Applications open in January, 2025 and close 6 August, 2025
  Offers sent by 12 August, 2025

HOW TO APPLY

Students are required to provide a brief background on their education, experience and interest in medical research. Before you apply, you will need to do some reading about QIMR Berghofer’s research and:

• detail why you would like to complete work experience at QIMR Berghofer.
• are a high achiever
• plan to study a science, health or medical degree at university
• are considering a science-related career

If you have a friend also applying for the program, be sure to let us know as students work in pairs so you may be able to work together. Remember, completing an application form will not automatically qualify you for a placement as positions are merit-based.

If your application was successful, we’ll ask you to complete a work experience agreement form which must be signed by your guardian, school principal and the QIMR Berghofer Education Coordinator.

ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA

Year 11 and 12 Australian school students who have completed the online application form are eligible for the program. We encourage tertiary students to seek work experience opportunities at QIMR Berghofer through their relevant course coordinators. International students are not eligible for the program.

If you don’t receive a placement in Year 11, we encourage you to reapply the following year. If you are in Year 12 and miss outon a placement, we will add you to our waiting list and you may still receive an offer closer to the date. Unfortunately we cannot offer every student a place in the program due to limited capacity and high demand. 

Students who are unsuccessful in obtaining a place in the work experience program are encouraged to apply for the one day Holiday Science Experience program.

FIND OUT MORE

To find out more about this program, contact our Education Coordinators.

Education Coordinator
Dr Liam St Pierre (Mon-Wed) T (07) 3362 0307
Dr Manuel Serrano Santos (Wed-Fri) T (07) 3845 3919
E schools@qimrberghofer.edu.au