Research opportunity for Asian students

The QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute is offering outstanding undergraduate students from Asia an opportunity to gain valuable research experience in Australia.

The Asia Short Term Placement (ASTP) program will provide six students per year with a three month research placement at QIMR Berghofer’s world-class laboratories in Brisbane.

Director of QIMR Berghofer Professor Frank Gannon says students from the Asia region will be able to engage with highly-respected scientists while gaining research experience.

“We are hoping the ASTP program will be the catalyst for long-term relationships between the students and the Institute,” Professor Gannon said.

“It would be an excellent outcome if these students later return to QIMR Berghofer for their PhD studies.”

To be eligible, students need to be in the final year of relevant undergraduate studies, be completing coursework for their Masters, or studying their Masters in Philosophy.

Professor Gannon says past academic achievement and relevant research experience will be part of stringent selection criteria.

“We are encouraging students who are achieving at the highest levels to apply,” Professor Gannon said.

Justin Goh from Singapore is completing his PhD at QIMR Berghofer and says the ASTP program is an exciting opportunity for undergraduate students.

“This is a fantastic chance to experience research outside of an educational institution,” Mr Goh said.

“At QIMR Berghofer, there is greater output and quality of research, meaning a higher possibility of being included in a publication.”

QIMR Berghofer offers dozens of student projects in fields ranging from genome biology to infectious diseases.

Successful applicants will need to take up the placement within 12 months of the offer being made and will receive a $300 per week allowance.

The Institute can provide assistance with the Visa application process but the students will need to pay their own travel and Visa costs.

Applications for the first round of the program open on 1 October and close a month later.

From 2015, QIMR Berghofer is planning to offer ASTP places in two rounds – in April and October.

More information is available at www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/ASTP or by emailing graduateeducation@qimrberghofer.edu.au.