Skip to main content

Laboratory Internships

The Public Health Laboratory Science Internship Program: an APHL-CDC Initiative places college students in public health laboratories to gain valuable early-career experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions
Questions?

Contact the Internships team: [email protected]

About the Internship Program

Building a Robust Laboratory Workforce

APHL and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) partner to offer paid laboratory internships to train and prepare college students for careers at public health laboratories.  APHL offers two different internship programs: the Public Health Laboratory Internship Program: An APHL-CDC Initiative​ and a Genomic Data Internship Program. If you are enrolled in either internship program, the information below will be applicable to your time at your host laboratory. Learn more.

Placement

Interns assist their mentor and other laboratory professionals working on meaningful projects that help protect the health of our communities. Past examples have included detecting genetic disorders in newborn babies, monitoring drinking water for lead, tracking viruses carried by insects and testing soil for environmental toxins.

Projects

Interns are placed at a host public health laboratory under the supervision of a mentor, usually for a span of 12–16 weeks. Internships are in-person, so host laboratory selection will depend on the applicant’s residence during the program.

Genomic Data Intern Placement

The Genomic Data Internship is a fully remote position for candidates enrolled in a master or doctoral program. Candidates that are available to work in person may. Learn more about the Genomic Data Internship application.

Interns work on projects that fall into one of the following scientific focus areas:

  • Bioinformatics and Molecular Epidemiology
  • Biorisk management (biosafety)   
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response
  • Environmental health   
  • Infectious disease   
  • Informatics   
  • Food safety  
  • Laboratory Operations and Support Services
  • Newborn screening   
  • Quality management  
  • Radiochemistry 

Over the years, interns have worked on a variety of projects. While the focus of the project will depend on the current needs of the laboratory, the following are activities that may fall within the scope of the internship:

  • Sample collection and preparation
  • Collection kit preparation   
  • Administrative support and documentation    
  • Specimen intake   
  • Shipping/send-outs   
  • Data entry   
  • Assisting with training development and implementation

Beyond their main projects, interns have also been featured in webinars and assisted with additional laboratory initiatives.

What You Need to Know

Your Internship Journey

Prospective Applicants

If you are interested in applying for the Internship program, please review the information on this page about the program and the application information page. 

Please note that you must have be enrolled as an active student in a Certificate, Associate, Bachelor or Master Program and be a US citizen or permanent resident to be considered. For the Genomic Data Internship program you must be enrolled as an active student in a Master or Doctoral program.

APHL offers flexible start dates to meet both the needs of interns and mentors.

document icon
About the General Application Process

Find all the resources you need to complete your application.

Learn more and apply
DNA icon
About the Genomic Data Internship Application Process 

Find all the resources you need to complete your application for a genomic data internship.

Learn more and apply
icon: computer with magnifying glass over graph
Information for Current Interns 

Find resources and information essential to completing your fellowship, such as curriculum requirements, report templates, guidelines and communications. 

Access Your Resources
icon of teacher in front of students
Program Alumni Opportunities 

Many former interns have graduated to become fellows or have found permanent positions at their host laboratories. All alumni enjoy access to a network of interns, mentors and the wider public health laboratory community.

Hands On

The Internship Experience

325
Interns placed
in 57 laboratories since 2022

Stories from the Field