The undergraduate research opportunities program

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) is a scheme coordinated by the Bio21 Cluster. UROP designed to give undergraduate students an early opportunity to experience real life in a research laboratory and gain insight into careers in biomedical research.

Students undertake a project which is part of the research program of a biomedical research laboratory. They are supervised by a research scientist in a mentoring role and work alongside other research staff and students in the team. The project can be experimental and based in a laboratory, bioinformatical or statistical. Students receive an hourly casual rate of pay for the time they work on their project.

While the scheme is not a formal part of undergraduate coursework, it is supported by universities because it aims to provide a vertical integration of practical research into the undergraduate years. Students will be able to practise the knowledge and skills obtained in undergraduate science-based courses in this program and vice versa.

There are many benefits to participating in UROP. As a student, you will:

• Be part of the excitement of being a researcher in an internationally competitive laboratory
• Experience being part of a research team
• Develop expertise in laboratory techniques and experimental design
• Potentially contribute to scientific publications, patents and presentations
• Create future job and post-graduate opportunities through networking
• Benefit from workshops in scientific and career development

 
For more information and how to apply check the Bio21 Cluster UROP website.