
Industry-Relevant Training in the UMass Core Facilities
Applications for Summer 2025 are closed!
UMass Amherst operates more than 30 core facilities, many of which are housed in the Life Sciences Laboratory (LSL) building which opened in October 2016. Many of these facilities advance the Institute for Applied Life Science’s mission to support high quality research and to enhance human health and well-being. The overall Core Facility infrastructure was made possible by a grant from the Massachusetts Life Science Center.
The CSI Program aims to provide hands-on experiential research & technical training with these facilities to UMass undergraduate students from Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
On-campus housing will be available. Hourly Rate: $17/hour
Students will apply to a specific facility of their choosing. Below are the available internship positions for Summer 2025. Internship positions are highly competitive, and we expect a large volume of applicants this cycle. Please click the name of facility for the full job descriptions and to apply. Students may apply to up to three (3) different positions and will be asked to rank order their choices.
Positions are only open to UMass Amherst undergraduate students at this time. Must be a continuing undergraduate student through at least Fall '25 to be eligible.
Contact Info
Please contact UMassCoreInterns@umass.edu with any questions. Please do not directly contact the core directors, and direct all communications to the above email address.
Application Timeline
March 10, 2025
Applications open
March 28, 2025
Application deadline
April 8-14, 2025
Interview period.
April 18, 2025
Summer 2025 Intern Cohort Selected
The Advanced Digital Design & Fabrication (ADDFab) core facility is seeking up to two summer interns to assist with the following:
- Day-to-day operations of the Advanced Digital Design & Fabrication lab
- Setting up print jobs in software, including part orientation and supports design
- Initiating and removing jobs on the printers
- Maintaining 3D printers and other lab equipment
- Giving lab tours and helping new users get trained on the equipment
- Engineering design consulting for additive manufacturing
- Meeting with customers (UMass faculty and local companies)
- Create new designs based on customer requirements
- Design changes to reduce weight, increase strength, and improve printability
More information about the facility is available here: umass.edu/ials/core-facilities/advanced-digital-design-and-fabrication-addfab
Qualifications:
No previous experience with 3D printing is required, but an interest in the topic and enthusiasm for the technology is necessary. Must be comfortable using 3D computer modeling software for mechanical design, (e.g. SolidWorks, Creo, Catia, Fusion360, etc), working with machinery, and using hand tools.
All mandatory lab safety trainings must be completed before the start of the internship.
UMass Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Trainings:
- Lab Safety training
- Fire Safety training
- Laser Cutter Training
- Respirator training: will be scheduled in the spring
ADDFab general and machine-specific trainings will be provided by the director, Dave Follette
The Animal Models core facility is seeking up to two summer interns to assist with the following:
Day-to-day operations support:
- Perform routine maintenance activities, including managing mouse colonies in the facility (LSL basement)
- Assist with research projects, e.g., mouse tissue lysis, PCR genotyping, gel electrophoresis
- Other mouse related work: handling, weaning, injection, etc.
Industry engagement
- Meeting with customers (UMass faculty and local companies)
- Plan projects
More information about the facility is available here: umass.edu/ials/core-facilities/animal-models
Qualifications:
Experience with small rodents (mice) handling is preferred, and an interest in the topic and enthusiasm for the technology related to animal model generation is necessary. Must be comfortable with mouse handling, (e.g., mouse weaning, etc.), working with instrumentation, and using lifting supplies/samples.
All mandatory lab and safety trainings to be completed before the start of work.
UMass Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Trainings:
- Lab Safety training
- Fire Safety training
Animal Models core general and instrument-specific trainings will be provided by the director, Wei Cui, PhD.
The Center for Human Health and Performance (CH2P) and mHealth core facilities are seeking four summer interns to assist with the following:
- Day-to-day operations
- Protocol development
- Human Subjects Data Collection
- Data Analysis
- Setup and maintenance of core equipment
- Other duties as assigned
The CH2P conducts physiological, biomechanical and behavioral human subjects research. More information about the facility is available here: umass.edu/ials/core-facilities/center-human-health-and-performance
Qualifications:
No specific experience is required, but preference will be given to individuals who have worked in labs conducting research related to that conducted in the CH2P and mHealth cores. Enthusiasm for science and professional demeanor are essential.
Preference will be given to individuals with the following:
- Previous lab experience
- Research experience with human subjects
- Previous work experience in a service industry (i.e. working with people)
- Computer coding experience Microsoft Office proficiency
- All mandatory lab and safety trainings to be completed before the start of work.
UMass Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Trainings:
- Lab Safety training
- Fire Safety training
- CITI Group 1: Biomedical
- CITI Group 3: Good Clinical Practice
- First Aid/CPR/AED * we will coordinate a training for those who don’t have this already
- Blood borne pathogens
Specialized, on-the-job training will be provided by CH2P staff.
Interns will also work under the supervision of the director, Michael Busa, PhD.
The Electron Scanning Probe Microscopy Center is seeking two summer intern to assist with the following:
- Conduct literature surveys for scientific background related to assigned research projects
- Learn and perform basic sample preparation tasks and provide facility user support.
- Learn basic operation of scanning electron and scanning probe microscopes and to assist facility users with data acquisition.
- Perform data analysis and prepare reports.
More information about the facilities is available at the following links: umass.edu/ials/core-facilities/electron-microscopy
Qualifications:
Ability to independently operate computers and experience with image processing software including ImageJ and Photoshop Knowledge of the basic principles of Microscopy. Previous research laboratory experience preferred, specifically, maintaining a research notebook; preparation of reporting materials.
All mandatory lab and safety trainings to be completed before the start of work.
UMass Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Trainings:
- Lab Safety training
- Fire Safety training
Interns will work under the supervision of the director, Alexander Ribbe, PhD.
The Flow Cytometry core facility are seeking one summer intern to assist with the following:
- Learn basic instrument operation and assist with basic training of new users.
- Learn about and assist users with basic sample preparation techniques.
- Learn about and assist users with data processing.
- Develop educational material including basic training videos.
- Assist with instrument quality control and maintenance.
- Chances to seek cross core training available to motivated applicants.
More information about the facilities is available at the following links: umass.edu/ials/core-facilities/flow-cytometry.
Qualifications:
- Interns are expected to be familiar with and have a basic understanding of computer operation including Microsoft Office Suite.
- Preference will be given to students with some basic wet-lab experience.
- Ability to lift and transport 20lb containers small distances is also required.
All mandatory lab safety trainings must be completed before the start of the internship.
UMass Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Trainings:
- Lab Safety training
- Fire Safety training
- Biological Safety training
Interns will also work under the supervision of the director Amy Burnside, PhD.
The IALS Clinical Testing Center (ICTC) core facility is seeking one summer intern to assist with the following:
- Learn basic instrument operation and assist with basic training of new users.
- Learn about and assist users with basic sample preparation techniques.
- Learn about and assist users with data processing.
- Develop educational material including basic training videos.
- Assist with instrument quality control and maintenance.
- Chances to seek cross core training available to motivated applicants.
More information about the facility is available here: umass.edu/ials/core-facilities/ials-clinical-testing-center
Qualifications:
- Interns are expected to be familiar with and have a basic understanding of computer operation including Microsoft Office Suite.
- Preference will be given to students with some basic wet-lab experience.
- Ability to lift and transport 20lb containers small distances is also required.
All mandatory lab and safety trainings to be completed before the start of work.
UMass Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Trainings:
- Lab Safety training
- Fire Safety training
- Biological Safety training
Interns will work under the supervision of the director Ashley Eaton.
IALS Communications/Marketing is seeking one summer intern to assist with the following:
- Create student profiles of all the Core Summer Interns to be used in IALS communications. This includes interviews, photography and writing student profiles to be posted on IALS social channels and website.
- Update content on the IALS website
- Assist with the content creation of the social channels.
- Other communications projects as they arise.
More information about the Institute for Applied Life Sciences is available here: umass.edu/ials
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will be a motivated self-starter with excellent ability to follow directions and work independently. Will have excellent writing and communication skills, including writing copy, editing, and a strong ability to proofread. Photography and video editing skills a plus. Students in Communications/Journalism are preferred.
Intern will work under the supervision of Lisa Korpiewski, Director of Communications & Marketing.
The Light Microscopy core facility is seeking two summer interns to assist with the following:
- Day-to-day operations of the Light Microscopy Core
- Operate and maintain 7 confocal microscopes
- Assist with training of new users on proper microscope usage
- Assist users with analysis of their data
- General cleaning of laboratory and maintaining and organizing various microscopy-related peripherals.
More information about the facility is available here: umass.edu/ials/core-facilities/light-microscopy-facility
Qualifications:
No previous experience with microscopes is required, but an interest in the topic and enthusiasm for the technology is necessary. Must be comfortable using Windows and understand basic computer networking, working with delicate items, and using hand tools.
Do you have:
- Previous customer relations experience
- Previous lab experience
- Previous work experience
- Microscopy experience
All mandatory lab and safety trainings to be completed before the start of work.
UMass Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Trainings:
- Lab Safety training:
- Fire Safety training
- Laser Safety
- Blood-borne pathogens
Specialized, on-the-job training will be provided by Light Microscopy Facility staff.
Interns will also work under the supervision of the director Jim Chambers, PhD.
The mHealth and Center for Human Health and Performance (CH2P) core facilities are seeking four summer interns to assist with the following:
- Day-to-day operations
- Protocol development
- Human Subjects Data Collection
- Data Analysis
- Setup and maintenance of core equipment
- Other duties as assigned
The CH2P conducts physiological, biomechanical and behavioral human subjects research. More information about the facility is available here: umass.edu/ials/core-facilities/mobile-health-sensing-and-analytics-laboratory-mhealthlab
Qualifications:
No specific experience is required, but preference will be given to individuals who have worked in labs conducting research related to that conducted in the CH2P and mHealth cores. Enthusiasm for science and professional demeanor are essential.
Preference will be given to individuals with the following:
- Previous lab experience
- Research experience with human subjects
- Previous work experience in a service industry (i.e. working with people)
- Computer coding experience Microsoft Office proficiency
- All mandatory lab and safety trainings to be completed before the start of work.
UMass Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Trainings:
- Lab Safety training
- Fire Safety training
- CITI Group 1: Biomedical
- CITI Group 3: Good Clinical Practice
- First Aid/CPR/AED * we will coordinate a training for those who don’t have this already
- Blood borne pathogens
Specialized, on-the-job training will be provided by CH2P staff.
Interns will also work under the supervision of the director, Michael Busa, PhD.
The NMR Biomolecular core facility is seeking two summer intern to assist in research and operation this summer. The intern will have the opportunity to learn NMR experimental skills, interpret data, conduct research in biological applications of NMR, particularly in metabolomics and Fragment based screening.
- Learn fundamentals of NMR spectroscopy, instrument operation, and data processing.
- Learn the basic NMR sample preparation techniques.
- Learn the fundamentals of the basic 1D NMR binding experiments, data collection and analysis.
- Make 19F compound library plates.
- Collect and analyze spectra of CF, CF3 and CF2 members of the UMass 19F fragment library. Design mixtures of 19F CF2 fragments and collect 1H and 19F spectra of mixtures.
- Screen 19F fragment library against a protein or a RNA target.
- Learn the basics of metabolite analysis by NMR. Contribute building of the metabolite database in the Bio-NMR Core Facility.
More information about the facility is available here: umass.edu/ials/core-facilities/nmr
Qualifications:
Rising Juniors or seniors in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or Physics may apply.
All mandatory lab and safety trainings to be completed before the start of work.
- Lab Safety training
- Fire Safety training
Interns will work under the supervision of the director, Jasna Fejzo, PhD.
The NMR-Chemistry core facility is seeking one summer intern to assist with the following:
- Learn fundamentals of NMR spectroscopy, instrument operation, and data processing.
- Learn about the physics and the NMR phenomena of polymers through literature reading.
- Conduct a collaborative research project with a research group on polymer physics.
More information about the facility is available here: umass.edu/ials/core-facilities/nmr
Qualifications:
Rising Juniors or seniors in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, or Physics may apply.
All mandatory lab and safety trainings to be completed before the start of work.
UMass Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Trainings:
- Lab Safety training
- Fire Safety training
This internship will be under the supervision of the director Weiguo Hu, PhD (Chemistry & Materials).
The Raman, IR and XRF Facility is seeking two summer intern to assist with the following:
- Sample analysis using Raman, Infrared (IR) and X-ray Fluorescent (XRF) spectroscopy. Our core facility has been receiving many samples from various departments on campus as well as companies for polymer analysis, surface characterization, material identification, molecular interaction, etc.
- The intern will support analysis on the samples received during the summer.
More information about the facility is available here: umass.edu/ials/core-facilities/raman-ir-and-xrf-spectroscopy
Qualifications:
Minimum requirements include strong analytical chemistry background (took relevant courses) and previous research lab experience. Experience with Raman, IR or XRF spectroscopy is preferred but not required. The interns will get trained on the operation of the instruments.
All mandatory lab and safety trainings to be completed before the start of work.
UMass Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Trainings:
- Lab Safety training
- Fire Safety training
Interns will also work under the supervision of Lili He, a professor and department head of the Food Science Department; and Yuzhen Zhang, PhD student in Prof. He's lab.
The Sleep Monitoring core facility is seeking four summer interns to assist with the following:
- Support data collection, data scoring, and data analysis (training provided)
- Assist in participant recruitment and enrollment
- Schedule testing sessions (and schedule additional staff for managing the testing session as needed)
- Support protocol development for future studies
- Assist with day to day lab operations
More information about the facility is available here: umass.edu/ials/core-facilities/sleep-monitoring-lab
Qualifications:
Good interpersonal skills including experience demonstrating these skills in a prior work or lab environment Excellent communication and problem solving skills Courses in biology, psychology, or other related science discipline, specifically familiarity with the scientific method. Lab experience preferred, particularly work with human research participants.
Interns will also work under the supervision of the director Rebecca Spencer, PhD.
What Makes Us Unique
The Core Internship Program is a 10-week paid, on-campus, undergraduate internship with housing available on the UMass Amherst campus. Interns will be expected to work a full-time week over the course of the summer. The program includes:
- Research Experience in the UMass Core Facilities
Student interns will receive direct supervision from Core Facility Directors to support advanced research originating from both academic and industry-sponsored projects. Interns will be trained to use state-of-the-art technologies, and learn real-world technical skills to help launch their careers in Biotech, Advanced Manufacturing, Clinical & Academic Research and more! Interested students should apply to a specific facility of their choosing.
- Develop Valuable Professional Development Skills for the Workplace
Biweekly ‘professional development’ workshops to help develop non-technical skills, including but not limited to:
Introduction to soft skills; Meet Near-Career Alumni/Former CSI Interns; Introduction to Entrepreneurship; Presentation, Public Speaking, and Networking; Job search: Taking advantage of Career Services on Campus
In the News
Intern at the UMass Amherst Core Facilities
Training the Next-Generation STEM Workforce
Read about the experience from our past interns on our Instagram channel #csiumass.
Funding for the Undergraduate Core Summer Internship Program is made possible by the College of Natural Sciences, the College of Information & Computer Science, the College of Engineering, the School of Public Health & Health Sciences, the Office of the Provost, the Office of Research & Engagement, and the Institute for Applied Life Sciences.
The CSI Program is dedicated to training students joining the next-generation workforce in fields of innovative science and technology, and supporting diversity, equity and inclusion on the UMass campus and beyond. First-generation students and students from underrepresented minority groups are highly encouraged to apply.