Summer Lab Science Program - Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology

The Summer Laboratory Science Program at Mayo Clinic offers chemistry, biological science, and medical laboratory science (MLS/CLS) majors the opportunity to explore career options and gain experience in the clinical laboratory environment. Clinical laboratory work is different from research work in that a patient’s diagnosis, treatment, and health may be directly dependent upon the laboratory testing results. Our scientists are part of an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals dedicated to patients’ health. In the laboratory, our scientists work with blood, tissue, and body fluid specimens. They perform tests from the simple to the complex, using manual methods and state-of-the-art instruments, and are responsible for the accuracy of the results they generate.  

As a Summer Laboratory Science Program participant, you will work in one of our clinical testing laboratories specializing in the areas of biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, genetics, transfusion medicine, anatomic pathology, or hematopathology. You may assist our laboratory personnel in aliquoting, preparing, extracting, and centrifuging biological specimens collected from patients, various clerical tasks, and other laboratory duties that include maintaining supply inventory, filing, stocking, cleaning, or special projects. This is a 10-week paid work experience and does not qualify as an internship. 

Visit the Clinical Labs career site to watch a brief video of Garrett discussing his experience in the Summer Lab Science Program at Mayo Clinic.  

The locations for this position in Minnesota: Austin, Mankato, Red Wing, and Rochester.  

The locations for this position in Wisconsin: Eau Claire and La Crosse. 

This 10-week program runs June - August 2024. Exact dates will be determined and shared with candidates at the time of offer. Housing is not provided. You will be making your own temporary housing arrangements in the community. Further details will be provided.  

For more information, email rstdlmpplacecoor@mayo.edu.  

*Mayo Clinic is not currently sponsoring visas for this position and if you are on a temporary non-immigrant visa, such as F-1, J-1, H-1b, or TN we will not be able to transfer or sponsor you for this position.*

You must be completing your junior year (graduating December 2025 or Spring 2026) of a four-year baccalaureate program in biology, chemistry, clinical laboratory science, microbiology, molecular biology, molecular genetics, or other human biomedical science-related field. 

*Candidates placed in Austin, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Mankato, or Red Wing MUST be seeking a degree in Clinical Lab Science or Medical Lab Science. 

Prior to June, you will need to have completed 90 semester hours, or equivalent, from an accredited institution that, at minimum, meets the following conditions: 

• 24 semester hours of science courses that include one of the following: 
• 3 hours of mathematics 
• 16 hours of chemistry or 16 hours of biology 
• 6 semester hours each of chemistry and biology, and 12 additional semester hours of chemistry, biology, or medical laboratory technology courses in any combination.  

A GPA of 2.75 overall is required to be considered for this position. 

Application Submission Requirements 

• Deadline – The application deadline is January 31, 2025. 
• Resume – Required at the time of application submission. 
• Cover Letter – Required at the time of application submission. 
• Transcripts – You MUST attach an electronic, unofficial copy of your transcript AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION to be considered. If you have attended more than one college, ensure you attach transcripts from all undergraduate studies. 
• Reference Letter – One reference letter from candidate’s college professor or other relevant work-related reference. The letter should address the applicant's major strengths, areas for improvement, overall evaluation as compared with other lab students, organizational skills, laboratory skills, integrity, attendance, communication skills, flexibility, and attitude toward learning new skills. Reference letters must be sent via email to: rstdlmpplacecoor@mayo.edu by the professor or work-related reference no later than January 31, 2025. The subject line should read - “Applicant's name - SLSP Reference."
• Appraisals – Internal applicants must attach their 3 most recent performance appraisals to their application.

*Unofficial electronic transcripts, resume, one reference letter