High School Work Experience

Are you thinking of a career in science or medical research? Why not give it a go with our free work experience program designed for students in year 11 and 12.

About the program

The work experience program takes place over three days in the school holidays.

Included is an introductory laboratory training day in our purpose-built education laboratory, followed by a placement with a scientist in one of our working research laboratories in the areas of cancer, infection and inflammation, brain and mental health, and population health.

Criteria and selection

To be eligible for the program you must be:

  • an Australian student in year 11 or 12 at an Australian high-school or college;
  • working towards receiving an ATAR or International Baccalaureate Diploma;
  • studying at least two science subjects;
  • achieving an average grade of B/high achievement or better across all subjects.

If you meet the above criteria, we will also consider your written response when assessing applications. Priority is also given to students who live outside South East Queensland.

We aim to offer places to year 12 applicants in the first instance so if you don’t receive a place in Year 11, we encourage you to apply again in the following year.

Students who are unsuccessful in obtaining a place in the work experience program are encouraged to apply for the one day Holiday Science Experience program.

Application requirements

Before you apply, you will need to do some reading about QIMR Berghofer’s research so you can let us know what about our research interests you and what your future plans for study involve.

Our program receives hundreds of applications each year so submitting an application does not mean you’ve automatically qualified.

If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a work experience agreement form which must be signed by your guardian, school principal and the QIMR Berghofer Education Coordinator.


2025 Program Dates

The program will run from 22-24 September 2025.

Application form will be available from the open date.

Applications open: 4 February 2025

Applications close: 4 August 2025

Offers sent: 12 August 2025

High School Work Experience

Select which region you live in. Refer to the map found here if you are unsure: https://education.qld.gov.au/contact/Documents/qld.pdf
Have you previously attended either the Day in the Life of a Scientist, High School Work Experience or Holiday Science Experience programs at QIMR Berghofer?
What is your equivalent grade average across all science subjects you currently study? Note applicants may need to demonstrate proof of grades before offers are finalised.
What is your equivalent grade average across all science subjects you currently study? Note applicants may need to demonstrate proof of grades before offers are finalised.
Please detail why you want to undertake a work experience placement at QIMR Berghofer and what areas of the Institute's research (as highlighted on our website) interest you most? Include any other supporting information.
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Do you have any questions?

You can contact our Education Coordinators:

Dr Liam St Pierre (Mon-Wed) T: (07) 3362 0307
Dr Manuel Serrano Santos (Wed-Fri) T: (07) 3845 3919