Medical Student Research Internship Program

The internship will be a six to nine-week research experience based on the time availability of the applicant.

Each applicant’s internship will be based on their research interests selected on the application form. Each experience will be different based on the research question, mentor and status of the project. Work environments include any of the basic science laboratories and core technologies at VAI.

At Van Andel Institute, the health and safety of our people is our number one priority. As a condition of employment at Van Andel Institute, all employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. “Full vaccination” is defined as two weeks after both doses of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine has been administered.

Medical students must be currently enrolled and in good standing with their medical school.

Van Andel Institute is an Equal 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.

Completed applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from December 1, 2021 through March 1, 2022 for internships with employment start dates between April 1, 2022 – November 1, 2022. Completed applications will be reviewed by the Undergraduate & Internship Program Committee, as well as the VAI faculty and core directors/managers. Any inquiries regarding your application should be made via e-mail to undergrad@vai.edu; inquiries will receive responses as information becomes available.  

All offers for the Medical Student Research Internship Program 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
The Medical Student Research Internship Program will be limited to a 40 hour work week with pay at $16/hr.

Summer Holidays
Student Interns are not eligible for holiday pay on the following days VAI officially closes for business for the summer:

• Memorial Day – Monday, May 30, 2022
• Juneteenth – Monday, June, 20, 2022
• Independence Day – Monday, July 4, 2022
• Labor Day – Monday, September 5, 2021

Housing 
Local area colleges/universities may have student housing available. Students are responsible for their own travel, housing, room and board.

• GVSU: https://www.gvsu.edu/internhousing/ 
• Aquinas:  https://www.aquinas.edu/residence-life  

If you require additional information on housing options, please contact Michelle Love at undergrad@vai.edu.

Parking and Bike Racks
Student Interns will be offered FREE parking in the Michigan Street Development ramp during their internship. During the orientation process, Physical Security will provide Student Interns with a parking permit for their vehicle. The parking structure is located on Michigan Street, directly north of VAI. Parking in this ramp is contingent upon availability. Additionally, there are bike racks available for your use outside of the main entrance.

• Please review VAI research laboratories to identify your top five labs of interest.
• Prepare a single PDF file including the following two (2) documents as an attachment for your online application:
  • A cover letter to introduce why you would like to participate in this summer internship and your career goals.
  • A resume that includes your education, research experience, skills, volunteer experience, and publications (if any).
• Request a letter of good standing from your medical school (Academic Dean’s Office, Academic Student Affairs or Academic Affairs) to be emailed to undergrad@vai.edu.
• Two (2) current letters of recommendation: Ask professors, research mentors and/or supervisors to submit letters of recommendation, on institute letterhead, in PDF electronic format to undergrad@vai.edu.
• Letters of good standing and letters of recommendations can be addressed to the Undergraduate & Internship Program Committee:

  Undergraduate & Internship Program Committee (98001 / VAIGS)
  Van Andel Institute Graduate School / Van Andel Institute
  333 Bostwick Avenue NE
  Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2518

Complete VAI’s online employment application thoroughly, in addition to uploading your cover letter and resume as a single PDF file.

Questions about applying for the summer internship program?

If you have questions about the summer internship program or the application process, please email the Undergraduate & Internship Program Committee at undergrad@vai.edu.