The internship is a supervised research activity that you carry out independently to develop scientific and experimental skills. You will generate original results to be included in your thesis. The internship is your first chance to experience research within a broader project, get to know a laboratory environment, work with more experienced colleagues and contribute intellectually to your group’s work. During this period, you should learn to frame scientific or technological questions, address them with appropriate experiments and techniques, interpret results, solve technical problems and work towards a central goal in basic or applied research, diagnostics, biotechnological applications, or other life-science areas.
 

Where you can carry out your internship

You may complete your internship in a Department of the University of Trieste or in an external institution (research body or company), including abroad. If the host institution requires an agreement, check whether one is already in place with the Department or the University. If not, ask the Department’s Academic Office (didattica.dsv@units.it) to activate one.

Finding the right laboratory takes time, especially if you plan to go abroad. Start looking at the end of the second semester and try to finalise an agreement with your supervisor at least 2 or 3 months before your intended start date, so you can meet all administrative deadlines.

The Trieste System

The "Trieste System" is a leading research hub that hosts many renowned institutions and is an excellent place to seek internship opportunities. The AREA Science Park in Trieste brings together numerous research infrastructures and companies in the life-sciences sector:

• Browse research infrastructures
• Browse companies

If you prefer to complete your internship outside Trieste, you can search independently online or ask a lecturer in your Department who works in your field of interest for advice.

Internships abroad

If you wish to complete your internship abroad, you may be eligible for financial support through the ERASMUS+ programme. Visit the International Mobility page to check your eligibility.
 

Steps

Duration and supervision

• Credits: 30 CFU
• Minimum duration: at least 750 hours, including experimental work, data analysis, and thesis writing. The duration, agreed with the supervisor and any co-supervisor, must be at least 5 months. Completion is certified by the supervisor and is required for the award of credits.
• Supervisor: a lecturer from the Department or Degree. An internal supervisor is mandatory, even if the internship is external.
• Co-supervisor (optional): the person (researcher, company representative, etc.) who supports your daily experimental work, if different from the Supervisor. You may have up to two co-supervisors.

How to apply

• Fill out the "Internship/training project application" form.
• Email the signed form to didattica.dsv@units.it at least two months before your planned start date.
• For external internships, also attach the “Risk assessment” form completed and signed by the host institution.
• For internships at the University, follow the Health Surveillance procedure, which is mandatory for access to all laboratories (see the instructions in "Internship/training project application").
• Approval: the Board of Studies will evaluate your request at the first available meeting.
• Start of the internship: you may begin only after receiving approval. The outcome will be published on the Moodle course “COMUNICAZIONI AGLI STUDENTI – GF”.
• N.B. - If your internship/internship activity involves contact with vulnerable individuals, such as in facilities such as nurseries, preschools, and elementary schools, hospitals, clinics, retirement homes, and reception centers, you must undergo a Mantoux test. The university has an agreement with ASUGI to provide this test free of charge. To obtain it, you must complete the "Modulo Test Mantoux" (downloadable on this page - in Italian) and provide your details (name, surname, and date of birth). It is not necessary to obtain the signature of the competent doctor, but to book the test, you can call the regional CUP or the Infectious Disease Prevention and Prophylaxis Service (040 399 7566), indicating that you have a referral from the competent doctor. The other healthcare companies, ASUFC and ASUFO, are not affiliated. The test can also be taken, at your own expense, in private facilities.

Completing the internship

• Fill in the second part of the "Internship/training project application" form, titled “Recognition of the activity carried out”, and have it signed by your Supervisor.
• Send the completed form to the Academic Office at didattica.dsv@units.it at least 30 days before your graduation date so that your credits can be recorded.

NOTE
The internship cannot start before the date you submit your application.
Without certification of completion, you cannot be admitted to the final degree examination session.

Contacts

• Prof. Roberta Bulla – rbulla@units.it
• Course Tutor – Juri Beretta – tutorgf@units.it

Forms and docs for the internship