This internship program is part of DLN’s ambition to facilitate collaboration between academia and the industry sector to increase exchange of knowledge and accelerate innovation.
Application deadline: 28 February 2025
Program setup
The DLN Postdoc Internship Program will connect you with leading biotech companies where you will undertake a 6–8-week internship. This experience is invaluable for acquiring hands-on industry knowledge, learning how to apply your skills in practical settings, and expanding your professional network.
By participating in this program, you will engage in a work program designed to give you insight into your skills besides research. The focus of the internship program will be on practical training that prepares you to translate research into real-world applications, a key component of DLN’s mission to foster innovation in biotechnology.
Key Information and Requirements
Eligibility: The program is open to postdocs (position code 1352/1030) and researchers (position code 1109) who are members of the Digital Life Norway (DLN) Research School or affiliated with projects in the DLN project portfolio.
Focus Areas: The internship emphasizes skill development (e.g., business development, leadership, project management, consultancy), networking, and practical training.
Activity Restrictions: Participants must not engage in activities such as R&D that could result in research outputs or the creation of intellectual property (IP).
Contract End Date: The participant's current contract must end no earlier than December 1, 2025.
Employment Status: Participants will remain employed by their home university but must receive permission to take leave during the internship.
Employment Extension: Any contract extension due to the internship must not qualify the participant for permanent employment at their home university.
Internship Duration: The internship spans 6–8 weeks.
International Placements: For placements abroad, participants must have a valid work permit for the host country.
Agreement Requirements: A contract must be signed by the postdoc, the host organization, and the home institution.
Financial Support: DLN provides salary coverage for 6–8 weeks and up to 27,500 NOK for travel and accommodation expenses.
Who benefits from the Postdoc internship program?
- Universities: tighter links to industry and a push towards culture change in career development
- Postdocs: industry-relevant training; broadening of experiences; industry contacts and networks; potential recruitment
- Norwegian biotech: building bridges between academic and non-academic partners; improved mobility between sectors
- Industry partners: highly motivated and skilled workforce for a 6–8-week period without financial costs; new perspectives; potential recruitment; contact with academia
How does the internship work?
Recruitment
DLN invites applications from postdocs and early career researchers who work on DLN’s portfolio of 40+ biotechnology projects and/or are members of the DLN Research School. Your scientific background can range from microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, medical imaging, aquaculture and food science, to mathematics, statistics, molecular modelling, and more.
Application process
Submit a motivation letter that includes the following (approx. 1 page):
- Your (inner) motivation for applying for the internship
- How this internship may be beneficial for your future career
- What can you offer a company?
- What do you believe a company can offer you
Submit a CV with (max 2 pages):
- Education
- Work experience
- Extracurricular activities
- Industry experience, if any
Applying does not guarantee an internship, and you are free to decline any company or work plan offered. Submitting an application is non-binding.
Selection process
The selection committee includes members from the DLN Operational Management Team, the DLN board, and Scientific Director.
Expectations from selected candidates
- If selected, candidates will themselves arrange for a 6-8 week leave at their local institution; we will assist with the practical details.
- Selected interns are also expected to find their own accommodation if the internship is in another city.
- Students will spend 6-8 weeks on-site at the respective company.
- Applicants should communicate with DLN directly with any questions; please do not send questions to the host organizations.
Matchmaking
Potential host organizations send in proposals of work plans that are relevant both for the organization and the early career researchers. Selected participants are given the opportunity to choose from these work plan proposals.
Joining the host organization
During the 6–8-week internship, students join in the daily activities and work routines of the host organizations.
The internship is fully financed by DLN. The participants will keep their employment at their home institution during the internship and take leave from their postdoc/researcher position. Their contract of employment is extended corresponding to the time spent in the company. Formal agreements are signed between the university, the postdoc/researcher, and the host organization.
Both interns and host organizations provide feedback to DLN during and after the internship to evaluate the program's performance.
Application deadline was 28 February 2025