Office of International Programs

Centre for Theoretical Physics, Oxford University
Location: Oxford, England
About: Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics at Oxford University work on topics that span many branches of physics - from how bacteria swim to the inflationary origin of the Universe to quantum phase transitions to the chemodynamical evolution of galaxies.  Their Particle Theory Group works on particle phenomenology both in and beyond-the-Standard-Model, (lattice) gauge theory and string theory, mathematical physics and quantum gravity, early-Universe cosmology, and issues in particle astrophysics. The quantum dynamics of many-body systems, phase transitions, and strongly correlated electrons are important themes within their Condensed-Matter Group. Members of the group also do much work on soft matter and biological systems, which are characterized by a balance between interactions and fluctuations that leads to rich and diverse self-assembly and dynamics.  The Astrophysics and Plasmas Group works on the structure and formation of galaxies, with particular emphasis on our own galaxy, on the dynamics of astrophysical plasmas, from solar wind to the intergalactic medium, and on laboratory plasmas, especially in application to magnetic confinement fusion.

Intern Responsibilities: IIP interns will contribute to theoretical and/or computational projects in either plasma physics (ranging fusion theory to astrophysics), in quantum condensed matter, soft condensed matter physics, galactic dynamics and in particle theory.

Qualifications: IIP candidates with interests in physics, astrophysics, or applied mathematics are encouraged to apply. Significant coursework in mathematics would be an asset.

View a PowerPoint (.pdf) by a past IIP intern:
Centre for Theorectical Physics Intern #1
Centre for Theorectical Physics Intern # 2

The Lancet
Location: London, England
About: The Lancet is a leading general medical journal, published weekly, and shares office space with around ten Lancet specialty titles published monthly. The journal’s editorial mission is to publish the most important medical and health information to benefit people around the world. The staff number about 100, including people with diverse backgrounds in medicine, science and journalism. Among other tasks, editors write and commission opinion pieces on important topics in medicine and global health, select and organize peer review of scholarly papers submitted for publication, and commission educational articles for consideration and peer review. Staff are mostly based in London, close to St Paul’s Cathedral, although we work closely with colleagues based in New York, USA and Beijing, China and travel frequently to conferences.

Intern Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Senior Editor, and the IIP candidate will become part of the editorial team. For the first two weeks of the internship, the student will meet colleagues, sit in on editorial meetings, and learn about medical publishing. During that time, specific projects of interest will also be identified. Previous projects have included critical appraisal of research papers submitted for publication, writing short commentaries, and research on bibliometric aspects of medical publishing.

Qualifications: Candidates with interests in pre-med, writing, literature, research, and evidence-based medicine and good communication skills are encouraged to apply. A track record in writing would be an asset. IIP candidates should be in their junior year, with experience in research and statistical analysis and software.

If you are enrolled in the Global Health Program certificate, this internship will fulfill the GHP internship requirement.

View a PowerPoint (.pdf) by a past IIP intern:
The Lancet Intern #1
The Lancet Intern #2

Newcastle University, Institute of Neuroscience
Location: New Castle, England
About: The Institute of Neuroscience at the University of Newcastle works in the novel field of connectomics and authored the first review in this area. The core mission of the Institute of Neuroscience is to undertake the highest quality research in neuroscience that translates into patient benefit, real world application and commercial opportunity. They aim to develop vibrant and productive interactions between researchers within their Institute, with other Faculty of Medical Sciences research institutes, and with external groups, aligning with the New Castle University’s core mission of ‘Excellence with a Purpose.' Their research is grouped into four broad research themes: Neural Systems and Applied Neurophysiology; Mitochondrial Disorders; Developmental, Behavioral and Comparative Neuroscience; and Neurodegenerative, Cerebrovascular & Psychiatric Disorders.

Intern Responsibilities: IIP interns will work on one of the following projects:

• PROJECT 1:  Development and testing of psychophysical tasks to assess auditory cognition 1: tests of auditory figure ground analysis. Would involve stimulus design, psychophysics and opportunities to see experimental imaging work and neurophysiology on both primates and humans. 
  
  Please see these links for descriptions of work in the lab
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=griffiths+td+%5Bau%5D
  http://www.fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk/~tgriff/

• PROJECT 2: Development and testing of psychophysical tasks to assess auditory cognition 2: tests of auditory working memory. Would involve stimulus design, psychophysics and opportunities to see experimental imaging work and neurophysiology on both primates and humans.

Qualifications: Candidates with interests in neuroscience, psychology, life sciences, and/or computer science are encouraged to apply. Skills in histology/staining/western blotting or programming such as MATLAB, statistical skills or knowledge of statistics would be an asset.

If you are enrolled in the Global Health Program certificate, this internship will fulfill the GHP internship requirement.

View a Powerpoint presentation by a past IIP intern:
Newcastle University Intern #1
Newcastle University Intern #2
Newcastle University Intern #3
Newcastle University Intern #4
Newcastle University Intern # 5
 

University of Oxford, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine
Location: Oxford, England
About:The MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine (WIMM) at the University of Oxford is one of the world’s premier institutes where basic research in cell and molecular biology is applied to the improvement of human health. Located next to the John Radcliffe Hospital, clinician/scientists and basic researchers work hand in hand with clinicians in the hospital to tackle both rare and common diseases. The WIMM incorporates programs on blood diseases and stem cell disorders (leukemia, lymphoma, and thalassaemia); immunological disorders (HIV AIDS, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and eczema); cancer (bowel and breast); infectious disease (malaria); and a wide range of genetic diseases, including abnormalities of facial development and disorders of the neuromuscular junction.

Intern Responsibilities:  IIP interns will join in the basic and medical research being undertaken at the WIMM providing an introduction to the new revolution in molecular medicine.

Qualifications: Previous laboratory experience and experience working with datasets would be an asset but is not required.

If you are enrolled in the Global Health Program certificate, this internship will fulfill the GHP internship requirement.

View PowerPoint presentations by past IIP interns:

MRC Weatherall Intern #1
MRC Weatherall Intern #2 
MRC Weatherall Intern #3
MRC Weatherall Intern #4 
MRC Weatherall Intern #5 
MRC Weatherall Intern #6
MRC Weatherall Intern #7