2021 SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM – UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH
APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 1, 2021
INTERNSHIP DETAILS
The Summer Internship Programs are designed to provide undergraduate college students opportunities to be mentored by professionals in their chosen research field, to become familiar with the use of state-of-the-art scientific equipment and technology, and to learn valuable interpersonal and presentation skills. The goal of these programs is to expose undergraduate college students to exciting advances in biomedical sciences that will help define their career paths.
For the 2021 Summer Internship Programs, interns will have the opportunity to work in the areas of cell biology, epigenetics, metabolism and nutritional programming, neurodegenerative science and structural biology. For more information on Van Andel Institute (VAI) laboratories, please click here.
We expect to support 25 – 30 undergraduate student summer internships in VAI research laboratories. Interns will be paired with a scientific investigator and/or their designee for an intense 10-week research experience. Interns will gain an understanding of the latest research methods, instruments, and testing procedures. They will learn how to design experiments and see how their test results can contribute to a larger research project. At the end of each internship program, interns will give an oral presentation or poster presentation about their experience to VAI research staff.
Thank you to our sponsors and their generous gifts to support summer internship programs:
· Meijer Foundation
· Maas Family Foundation – Hope College
· Van Andel Institute Purple Community – Hope College
· Van Andel Institute Graduate School
PROGRAM TIMELINE
Summer interns are required to begin on one of two program start dates:
· Session I: May 10, 2021 – July 16, 2021
· Session II: June 7, 2021- August 13, 2021
COVID-19 may affect on-site internships. Updates on undergraduate summer internship programs will be provided by the Research Advisory Committee, VAI COVID-19 Task Force and the Undergraduate & Internship Program Committee at: https://vaigs.vai.org/undergrad-research/program-details/
INTERNSHIP ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Undergraduate college students must have completed at least one year of higher education (equivalent to 24 credit hours), be enrolled in a science/research related degree program and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
Students who have graduated before the start date of the summer internship program (May 10, 2021) are ineligible. If you are currently enrolled as a high school student or in a Master’s degree program, you are ineligible to participate in the undergraduate research summer internship program.
Van Andel Institute is an Employment Opportunity Employer and Affirmative Action Employer. We strongly encourage undergraduate student applicants from minority serving institutions including historically black colleges & universities, tribal colleges & universities and Hispanic serving institutions, as well as McNair Scholars.
International students are eligible to apply if they meet the requirements for the program and are legally permitted to work and earn income in the United States. Van Andel Institute does not sponsor visas for interns.
READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THE ONLINE APPLICATION
An attachment (PDF file format) is required to support your online application:
A cover letter, resume, and official transcript (or unofficial transcript) will need to be combined as a single PDF file and then uploaded as an attachment with your online application:
· A cover letter indicating why you would like to participate in this summer internship and your career goals;
· A resume, which includes your education, research experience, skills, volunteer experience, and publications (if any);
· Official (or unofficial) transcripts from your college or university. It is important to note you will be responsible for uploading your transcripts to your online application. Any transcripts received via email or from your institutions transcripts delivery service will not be accepted.
Additional application materials required:
· Two (2) current letters of recommendation (due by February 5, 2021) to support your application. Ask professors, research mentors and/or supervisors to submit letters of recommendation, on institute letterhead, in PDF electronic format to undergrad@vai.edu or mailed to the following address:
Undergraduate & Internship Program Committee (98001/VAIGS)
Undergraduate Summer Internship Program
Van Andel Institute Graduate School / Van Andel Institute
333 Bostwick Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2518
HOW TO APPLY
Before beginning the online employment application, combine your cover letter, resume and transcript as a single pdf file.
COMPLETING THE ONLINE APPLICATION
1. Click the ”APPLY” button to start VAI’s online employment application
2. Review and accept the application certification to continue with completing the online application
3. Complete the remainder of the online application including:
i. Contact information
ii. Using the “resume/CV document” feature, upload the single PDF file with your cover letter, resume and transcript after you enter your contact information
iii. Job preferences
iv. Work authorization status
v. Education
vi. Profile attachments – As long as you uploaded your cover letter, resume and transcript under the contact information section, you will not need to upload any additional documents under profile attachments section
vii. Resume/CV content – As long as you uploaded your cover letter, resume and transcript under the contact information section, you will not need to upload any additional documents under the resume/cv content section
viii. Pre-employment questions for undergraduate student applicants
a. There are 16 pre-employment questions in total.
b. All provided fields/sections must be completed accurately and thoroughly for consideration in the Undergraduate Research Student Summer Internship Program
c. Please make sure you have reviewed the VAI faculty profiles before answering pre-employment questions. Faculty profiles can be reviewed in alphabetical order by the Lead Investigator’s last name or by research area (or center)
ix. Voluntary-Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)
x. Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
xi. Review Reasonable Accommodation Notice
INTERVIEW & SELECTION PROCESS
Complete applications will be reviewed by the Undergraduate & Internship Program Committee and VAI Faculty after February 15, 2021. Applicants selected for interviews are generally contacted by mid-March and employment offers are usually extended by mid-April. If additional summer opportunities become available after this time, your application may be reconsidered.
Any inquiries regarding your student internship application should be made via e-mail to undergrad@vai.edu; inquiries will receive responses as information becomes available.
All offers for student intern positions will be contingent upon the satisfactory results of a Background Investigation and Drug Screen.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Assignments may involve the use of potentially hazardous chemicals, hazardous or radioactive materials, or may be in areas where such materials are used. Adherence to safety policies and procedures along with proper storage and disposal methods are required.
SALARY
Based on number of credits earned:
- 30-50 Undergraduate $11.50/hr
- 60-89 Undergraduate $12.00/hr
- 90-119 Undergraduate $12.50/hr
- 120+ Undergraduate $10.00/hr
Fellowships and Scholarships Roundup: STEM Edition 
