Apply for HiLIFE Research Trainee Scholarship

Why should you consider this?

Practical research training during undergraduate BSc, MSc or Lic (Med, Vet Med, Dentistry) studies can be an empowering experience. HiLIFE Research Trainee Scholarships offer an opportunity to conduct a research training period at a life science research group as a part of voluntary studies (particularly BSc/MSc/Lic thesis). The research group can be selected either at the University of Helsinki or at another research institute abroad.

The HiLIFE Research Trainee Scholarships will provide financial support for a four-month training period. HiLIFE will grant a total of ten HiLIFE Research Trainee Scholarships, five for research to be conducted at UH (up to €1600/month), and five for research to be conducted abroad (up to €2000/month plus up to €1000 for travel costs).

Eligible applicants:

This programme is open to all BSc/MSc/Lic students of life sciences at the University of Helsinki. Students enrolled in the following faculties will have priority: Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Students from other UH faculties can also apply provided they have a project related to life science research.

The scholarship is mainly intended for students who are starting a new internship and not extending an existing one. Moreover, the scholarship cannot be used to carry out research after you have completed your MSc/Lic degree, nor can it be a reason to delay the completion of your degree.

If you intend to apply for a position abroad, you have to match one of these criteria:

You will be continuing research that you started at UH, or
You will be carrying out research that is not conducted at UH.

If selected for a position abroad, you will have to have a co-supervisor from UH. Please also note that Switzerland is not among the countries eligible for this type of internship.

Selection criteria:

Grades (You can order a transcript of studies in Sisu. Note: if you have just started your master's studies and have no records in Sisu, you can upload records from your previous degree)
CV (max. 2 pages)
Motivation letter (max. 1 page) where you are expected to describe your motivation to do research, explain what research topic/question you would like to investigate and why, and define an outstanding question in that field. Please also describe how your skillset aligns with the proposed research project, how the internship would benefit your future and, if you already have an idea of where you would like to conduct your research, explain why you would like to join that specific lab
Length of your studies (priority will be given to students who are on track in completing their degree within the expected time frame, i.e. 3 years for BSc, 2 years for MSc, and 5 years for Lic. Med./Vet. Med./Dentistry)
Interview by the HiLFE EDU selection committee (for short-listed students). The committee is composed of HiLIFE researchers from different life science fields

Applications are to be sent by filling out this elomake form. All material included in the application should be in English, and in PDF format. The application period is between September 2 - 30, 2024. Applications close at 23.59 EEST and late applications will not be considered.

Timeline:

Application period September 2 - 30, 2024
Candidates selected for the interview will be notified by October 30
Interviews will take place on November 7 in Biocenter 1, Viikki campus (room will be specified to selected interviewees on a separate email)
Selected trainees will be announced by November 15
The internship must be conducted between mid-January 2025 and December 2025

More information about the programme:

Information event about the programme on September 19, 3.00-4.30pm EEST, in meeting room 3, below ground, Biomedicum 1, Meilahti campus.

See application instructions here. You may also send enquiries to hilife-edu@helsinki.fi.

Please note that all the Trainee Scholarship-related events and communication will be in English, as it is the official working language of HiLIFE.

Explore the unknown with HiLIFE Research Trainee Scholarship!