Undergraduate Opportunities

Undergraduate students can engage in summer internships, year-round research, and mentorship that offers early, meaningful exposure to what a life in science can look like.

On this page:

Pediatric Oncology Education (POE)
Emerging Leaders in Biomedical Research Program
Rhodes College Summer Program
University of Bath Research Internships
Experiential learning internships
Undergraduate program leadership

St. Jude has opportunities for selected undergraduate students in both international and domestic educational programs to study under the direction of a faculty mentor. These can be either established programs or an individual program of study.

Pediatric Oncology Education (POE)

The Pediatric Oncology Education (POE) Program offers funded predoctoral internships in laboratory or clinical research for some of the country’s top students preparing for careers in the biomedical sciences, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, or public health. A primary goal of the program is to prepare students to pursue a career in cancer research. Trainees are matched with a faculty mentor who shares their research interests, attend a core lecture series designed specifically for them, as well as participate in other weekly St. Jude conferences.

Learn about the POE Program

My placement at St Jude was an amazing opportunity for me as an undergraduate and provided me with a firm foundation for my future studies and career. The internship allowed me to learn valuable scientific knowledge and technical skills, provided me with insight into the academic world and developed my professional skills, all of which I would never have had the opportunity to learn in the classroom. The excellent facilities, world-class research, and powerful mission of St Jude made it an inspiring place to work, and the overwhelming friendliness of everyone there made every day a pleasurable experience. I am very grateful for the opportunity to have worked in such an incredible institution, and believe it has been the most valuable and rewarding experience of my academic career so far.”
- POE Student

Emerging Leaders in Biomedical Research Program

The Emerging Leaders in Biomedical Research Program is a new initiative sponsored by the St. Jude STEMM Education and Outreach Program. This program aims to develop future leaders in biomedical research by providing them with mentored research experiences at St. Jude coupled with intentional leadership training, which include topics such as laboratory management and effective mentorship. Students will then have opportunities to practice these skills alongside their mentor with high school students during the summer months. 

Contact:
Kyle Bichsel, PhD; Manager, STEMM Education and Outreach Program
Email: kyle.bichsel@stjude.org

Learn more about the ELBR program

Rhodes College Summer Program

Rhodes and St. Jude work together to offer qualified students an intensive research experience that matches students and faculty scientists to work together over a period of two summers and intervening academic year. Through this experience, students become fully engaged in the scientific community at a world-class clinical and research facility. Students work on independent research projects, participate in lectures, group meetings, and onsite discussions, and present their work at local, national, and international venues. Many of the Rhodes students go on to pursue advanced degrees in medical, scientific, or other professional fields resulting from their experience at St. Jude.

Contact:
Chris Cotton, Predoctoral Program Coordinator
Email: chris.cotton@stjude.org

Get more information

My experience at St. Jude was one of the most formative of my time at Rhodes College. It gave me the chance not only to build skills in basic science research and more advanced techniques in structural biology, but also provided an opportunity to learn how to approach the ever growing, complex world of medical research. The three years I spent working at St. Jude have served as the foundation for research that I have been involved in both in Medical School and now in Residency. The partnership between Rhodes and St. Jude is truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students, and I am still proud that I was able to take advantage of it."
- Rhodes Student

University of Bath Research Internships

The University of Bath is one of two sponsored foreign educational programs that affiliate with St. Jude. Students complete research internships at St. Jude over a year’s time. In return, students earn academic credit, a research stipend, and internship experience.

The Bath program at St. Jude is directed by Dr. Jim Morgan, Member and Chair, Developmental Neurobiology Department, and Shahdam, Edna and Albert Abdo Basic Science Chair.

Contact:
James Marmion, Manager of Predoctoral Programs
Email: james.marmion@stjude.org

Experiential learning internships

We believe in the power of learning by doing. Our experiential learning internships offer undergraduate students the opportunity to perform hands-on research at St. Jude in an environment that is structured to support our interns’ learning goals. Interns gain experience, reflect on what they’ve learned and apply new knowledge and skills throughout their internship experience. Along the way, faculty advisors work closely with each intern and provide reviews and assessments to help identify opportunities for further growth.

Undergraduate level internships include: