Building on the success of the DLN PhD Industry Internship Program and Innovation Roadmap (IR) Postdoc Industry Internship initiative, IR has launched an Internship Program open to both PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. This internship program is part of IR’s ambition to facilitate collaboration between academia and the industry sector to increase exchange of knowledge and accelerate innovation.
Program setup
The Industry Internship Program will connect you with leading biotech companies and innovation-oriented organizations where you will undertake a three-month (PhD student) or two-month (postdoc) 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 gain 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 IR’s mission to foster innovation in biotechnology.
Key Information and Requirements
For PhD students
Eligibility: The program is open to current PhD students at Norwegian universities/university colleges.
You must have finished at least one year of your PhD at the time of the internship application deadline. Your PhD end date should be no earlier than 31 December, 2026
Internship start: The internships must start at the latest 20 September 2026 and conclude by 20 December 2026 due to IR concluding at the end of 2026.
Focus areas: PhD candidates may contribute to defined company projects, including R&D-related tasks where relevant and appropriate. Projects should be meaningful for the host organization and the candidate’s career development. Depending on the specific project, activities could include:
- R&D activities, data analysis, or technical assessments
- Product or technology development support
- Literature, market, or competitor analysis
- Participation in company routines and project work
Internship duration: three months
Employment status: Students will remain employed by their home university but must themselves arrange for a three-month leave at their local institution; we will assist with the practical details.
Internship location: Physically located at the company (selected interns are expected to find their own accommodation if the internship is in another city)
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 student, the host organization, and the home institution.
Intellectual Property (IP): The above agreement includes IP clauses that ensure that the host organization keeps the IP rights to results produced during the project, and that the PhD candidate has the same duty of confidentiality as company employees.
Financial support: IR provides salary coverage for three months and travel and accommodation support of 25,000–40,000 NOK, if necessary. The amount depends on the internship location, including whether the placement is in Norway or abroad.
For postdoctoral and early-career researchers
Eligibility: The program is open to postdocs (position code 1352/1030) and researchers (position code 1109) at Norwegian universities/university colleges.
Focus areas: The internship emphasizes skill development, industry exposure, innovation-oriented tasks and networking. Depending on the specific project, activities could include:
- Business and innovation strategy
- Market, competitor, customer, or ecosystem mapping
- Product development pathways and commercialisation
- Regulatory considerations or IP/FTO landscape analysis
- Project management, stakeholder communication, or leadership shadowing
Activity restrictions: Participants will not engage in activities such as R&D that directly result in research outputs or the creation of intellectual property (IP).
Contract end date: The participant's contract must end no earlier than 31 December, 2026.
Internship duration: 2 months
Employment status: Participants will remain employed by their home university but must receive permission to take leave during the internship (candidates will themselves arrange for a 2-month leave at their local institution; we will assist with the practical details).
Employment extension: Any contract extension due to the internship must not qualify the participant for permanent employment at their home university.
Internship location: Physically located at the company (selected interns are expected to find their own accommodation if the internship is in another city)
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/researcher, the host organization, and the home institution.
Financial support: IR provides salary coverage for two months and travel and accommodation support of 25,000–35,000 NOK, if necessary. The amount depends on the internship location, including whether the placement is in Norway or abroad.
Who benefits from this program, and how?
- PhDs and 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 two-three month period without financial costs; new perspectives; potential recruitment; contact with academia
- Universities: tighter links to industry and a push towards culture change in career development
How does the internship work?
Recruitment
IR invites applications from motivated PhD students, postdocs and early career researchers from Norwegian universities/university colleges. 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
The evaluation committee prefers motivation letters that share your unique interests and motivations, rather than generic statements about why internships are good (AI tools are better at writing the latter!)
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 dScience and host institution.
Matchmaking
Potential host organizations send in proposals of work plans that are relevant both for the organization and the early career researchers. Applicants select their 1st and 2nd priority in Nettskjema. Selected participants are matched according to their preferences as well as preferences of the host companies when possible. Depending on demand, we may match applicants outside of their 1st and 2nd preferences.
Participating host organizations
- BioInnovation Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
- AstraZeneca (Molecular AI), Mölndal, Sweden
- Testa Center, Uppsala, Sweden
- TREco, Bergen, Norway
- Seaweed Solutions, Trondheim, Norway
- UiO Growth House, Oslo, Norway
- DNV – AI Assurance Research Program, Høvik, Norway
- Actential, Oslo, Norway
- Klyv Therapeutics, Oslo, Norway
Joining the host organization
During the two/three-month internship, interns join in the daily activities and work routines of the host organizations.
The internship is fully financed by IR. The participants will keep their employment at their home institution during the internship and take leave from their position. Their contract of employment is extended corresponding to the time spent in the company. Formal agreements are signed between the university, the intern, and the host organization.
Application deadline: Sunday 21 June 2026