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Advanced Research Traineeship in Biology I

Advanced research traineeship in biology allows you to develop your ability to work independently and critically on a scientific hypothesis. By taking part in the day to day work you will gain deeper understanding for the work at a biological institution.

With a research traineeship you largely control what you will learn, by choosing a supervisor and tasks that suit your own interests. The aim is that you should be able to plan your work systematically from the work plan (see "Course structure"), independently perform the tasks, and identify solutions to situations you are faced with during the traineeship. You should also be able to document your work in a purposeful way. Important skills for your continued studies as well as future work.

  • Course structure

    Before you apply you should read under the heading More information to find out where you can do the traineeship, how you find a work place and what to think about when you write the work plan.

    Teaching format

    Research traineeship is tought through supervision. During the course you will take part in the day to day work in the research group, this can include labwork, field work, data analysis, reading of iterature, seminars and group meeting. As part of the course you are also expected to document the planning, doing and reflection of your work in a logbook.

    Assessment

    You present the research traineeship in the form of a logbook. This means that you should spend a bit of time each day during the traineeship writing down what you have done during the day and reflecting on this. The research traineeship is examined based on your logbook as well as a verdict from your supervisor.

    Examiner

    Kenneth Ekvall
    E-mail: kenneth.ekvall@su.se
    Telephone: +46 (0)8-16 4071
    Meetings after booking by e-mail

  • Schedule

    The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.

    Research traineeship 7,5 credits equates to 4.5 weeks of fulltime work.  The course does not have set start and end dates, but you should apply for the course the period that best fits when you plan to do the traineeship. Which weeks you will work and what workhours you should keep is an agreement you make with your supervisor, these are then specified in the work plan which must be approved by the examiner.

  • Course literature

    Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.

    Research Traineeship in Biology does not have any official literature. Depending on your traineeship you may be expected to read different forms of literature, if so, this is something that you will discuss with your supervisor.

  • Course reports

    Collated answers are for the full year (not only spring term)

  • More information

    Research traineeship is offered at basic and advanced level. These are always conducted in a workplace were research is the main occupation, for basic level it must be conducted within Stockholm University, for research traineeships outside of Stockholm university you should take the advanced course. For traineeships at workplaces where the main work is not research, we offer Traineeship in Biology.

    If you are unsure whether your intended workplace can be approved, or if you are unsure of which course you should apply for, you should contact the examiner (see "Course structure").

    Read more about the difference between our traineeship courses

    The traineeship can be conducted in Sweden or abroad. As a student at Stockholm University, you can apply for funding through Erasmus+ to complete a work placement/traineeship at a company or organisation in a country participating in the Erasmus+ programme.

    How to apply

    Before you start your internship, you must follow all these steps:

    • Apply as usual on Universityadmissions.se. Apply to the period that best matches your plans.
    • When the application has closed, you will receive a link to a form where you fill in the workplace and work plan (see more information below). The deadline for submission is normally about one month after the application closes.
    • When the workplace and work plan have been approved by the examiner, you will be admitted (assuming that you are eligible) and you can register online. Note that you must have passed Advanced research traineeship in biology I before you can be admitted to and register for Advanced research traineeship in biology II.

    You can not start the traineeship until you have registered for the course! This is important because you are not insured by the university until you are registered.

    The workplace

    It is your responsibility to find a workplace and supervisor, BIG does not supply placements. To get the most out of the course it is important that you think carefully about what your personal ambitions are with the course, and which research group can best help you achieve them. When you have found a group that suits your interests and aims you make contact with the researcher in question. Useful practice for job hunting.

    Get in touch early with the workplaces where you would like to do the traineeship, preferably before you apply for the course, some workplaces need good time margins to be able to schedule a traineeship.

    Research traineeship at Stockholm University

    Research in biology at Stockholm University spans across the subject from genomics, greenhouse gas producing baltic clams and the cost of advanced brains to natural resource management. In other words there are many different exciting research groups to look for a traineeship placement.

    You can find information about the different research groups and their contact details on the departments websites:

    Traineeships outside of Stockholm University

    It is also possible to do traineeship at other workplaces than Stockholm University, as long as it is a workplace with research as main occupation (otherwise you should apply for Traineeship in Biology, se above).

    The work plan

    The work plan is an agreement between you, your supervisor and the examiner, to ensure that your work during the traineeship is relevant to the course. When you write the work plan you will familiarise yourself with the work place, the supervisor and what is expected of your work. It is therefore important that you develop the plan in consultation with your supervisor, while you write the plan independently.

    When you have applied for the course, and the application round has closed, you will receive a link to a form where you fill in and submit your work plan. In order for you to be admitted to the course, the work plan must be approved by the examiner (see "How to apply" above). The following points must be included in the work plan:

    • Supervisor's name, position and e-mail address
    • Preliminary start date
    • Description of the workplace (max 150 words)
    • Job assignments (max 150 words)
    • Expectations and own learning objectives (max 150 words)
    • Time plan where you specify approximately how many days/weeks you will spend on each task
  • Contact

    Student office
    Study counsellor for advanced level