Break Into Biotech
Workforce Development
Break Into Biotech
Overview
A workforce development program that gives students from underserved backgrounds the skills they need to access biotech career opportunities.
Break Into Biotech is a unique program designed to bridge the gap for underserved UC Berkeley students who aspire to work in labs but face financial constraints and/or a lack of experience. Through a 5-week paid training program followed by undergraduate academic research (yes, we pay you to train!), students will develop essential benchwork skills that will make them outstanding candidates for paid biotech internships at Bakar Labs tenant companies, as well as other startups, through a partnership with the QWEST program.
To learn more about the program, contact Director of Workforce Development Noem Noiwangklang.
Structure
- Application Submission: Interested/qualified students can apply to be a part of Break Into Biotech. The recently passed deadline was November 17, 2023, but we anticipate offering the program again in Fall 2024.
- Training (paid): Hands-on training over a 5-week period from mid-January through February (~5 hours per week).
- Academic Research Experience (paid): Post-training, students will be matched with UCB labs for the spring through summer semesters to provide real-world scientific experience.
- Internship at Bakar Labs tenant startups and other companies (paid): Fully-trained candidates can apply for an internship at Bakar Labs tenants or other companies for 6 months.
Benefits
Skill Enhancement: Learn academic and company research cultures as well as cutting-edge experimental techniques and skills.
Network: Get paired with renowned academic labs and Bay Area biotechnology companies.
Financial Support: Fully funded by the program, with no financial burden on students.
Competitive Edge: Increase your chances of landing a long-term paid research role in the biotechnology/pharma industry.
Who Should Apply?
This program is open to UC Berkeley students who:
- Have a passion for solving problems in human health and the environment while advancing knowledge of scientific research.
- Have responsibilities to support the financial costs of their education.
- Are committed to investing time towards advancing scientific knowledge and experience with opportunities for both immediate and potentially long-term professional development.