As a successful research placements applicant, you get to work on a specific project alongside research students, postdoctoral scientists and senior researchers in a laboratory or clinical research area.
In doing so, you will:
- Gain experience in laboratory research
- Use state-of-the-art equipment
- Learn many new and exciting laboratory techniques
Research Placements Program
We offer research work placements or research internships to undergraduate and postgraduate university students.
These placements are specifically for students who come to us to fulfil a formal requirement of their education program.
These are unpaid positions. Your host research group will cover all your research costs.
Peter Mac requires its staff and students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide evidence.
All healthcare workers (including students and honoraries) are required to have had three doses of the COVID-19 vaccination in order to work onsite - including those who are not patient facing.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss this requirement.
Obtaining student research placements or internships
To obtain a student placement or internship with us, you must confirm the following.
- The placement component is a mandatory requirement of a unit in your current degree.
- A placement agreement will be established between the university and Peter Mac before commencement (check with your subject coordinator).
If the above criteria are satisfied, you can proceed with the following:
- Look through the Peter Mac Student Project Book to find potential supervisors in a placement that suits you.
- Contact the supervisor to see:
- If they are interested in having you in a lab
- If the project is available
- When you are emailing potential supervisors, please attach the following for them to review:
- Your resume
- Your results transcript
- Any other relevant documents related to your placement - such as your university’s placement agreement
- Once a supervisor agrees to take you on as a placement student, contact the Research Education team to facilitate placement administration
If you are an international student undertaking research placements, you will need to enroll in the Study Abroad – Research program of the University of Melbourne.
Summer Scholarship Program
Our Summer Scholarship Program offers outstanding undergraduate students a chance to get involved in real-world laboratory-based or clinical research.
The program is a great way to get involved in biomedical research, inspired about cancer research at the postgraduate level and beyond.
Applications are now closed for 2023. Applications for the 2024 program will open in mid-July 2024.
Summer scholarships are highly competitive, and we will short-list applicants for an interview before offering a place.
- Scholarships are for six weeks, or 30 days full time (public holidays are excluded)
- You will receive a tax-free payment of $AUD250 per week. Note: accommodation and/or travel costs are not covered
- If you are awarded a Peter Mac summer scholarship and are studying at a Victorian university, we will also work with you to prepare an application for a Cancer Council Victoria (CCV) Summer Vacation Studentship
Indigenous Cancer Research Scholarships
Peter Mac Indigenous Cancer Research Summer Scholarships
This program is an exclusive opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to gain hands-on research experience during their summer break. Students will be able to immerse themselves in cutting-edge research projects at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. The program aims to foster a diverse and inclusive research community while nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders. There are up to 3 scholarships on offer this year.
- Students should be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree in Science/ Applied Science/ Biomedical Science or other relevant tertiary course in Australia.
- We will tailor a project that aligns with your academic interests
- Gain experience in real-life biomedical research projects
- Scholarships are for up to 6 weeks full time, during university summer break
- Students receive a tax-free payment of $300 per week (5 working days)
For more information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 03 8559 5919.
Expressions of interest will close on October 2nd, 2023.
Please note: Peter Mac requires its staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with 3 doses of the vaccine.
Go back to the Research Education page
