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- About the Program
- About the Eligibility
- About the Application
- About the Selection
- About Contract and Allowance
About the Program
What is the HKLSS Life Sciences Summer Internship Program?
With the full support of Nan Fung Group, Hong Kong Life Sciences Society has launched a remarkable internship opportunity to undergraduate or postgraduate students since 2019. Through the seven-week Program in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen, students have the opportunity to explore the life sciences and biotech industry. The Program goes beyond providing a six-week hands-on internship experience, but also expands interns' horizons with visits to leading life sciences or biotech companies and organizations, along with insightful sharing sessions by industry experts.
Which internship companies in Hong Kong/the Chinese Mainland are involved in this Program?
We offer opportunities for students who are interested in developing a career in life sciences, biotech or biomedical sciences in Hong Kong, Shanghai or Shenzhen. The life sciences and biotechnology companies cover but not limited to start-ups, VCs, NGOs, healthcare and bio-pharmaceutical companies.
Our partner companies for 2025 and previous cohorts include:
Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre, Ally Bridge Group, Antengene, Arctic Vision, Asian Academy of Anti-Aging Research and Translational Medicine, AstraZeneca (HK & Shanghai), Belun Technology, Delonix Bioworks, Delos Capital, Ecoinno, Genuine Biotech, Highlight Capital, HighTide, Insighta, Lee'’s Pharmaceutical, Meta Pharmaceuticals, Morningside Venture, , Novus Life Sciences, OMNI Pharmaceutical, Opharmic Technology, Our Hong Kong Foundation, Panda Healthcare, Pivotal Life Sciences, Pivotal bioVenture Partners, Quantum Digital Health, Roche Accelerator, Shenzhen Moyuan Biotechnology, Signet Therapeutics, Snowhill Science, Tigermed, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Biomedical Innovation R&D Center, The Mills Fabrica, Viva Ventures Biotech Fund, Vivo Capital, Zhaoke Ophthalmology
*Applicants who are selected for interviews will be informed of the companies.
Does this Program only offer positions in R&D? Is there any other job area I can explore?
HKLSS Life Sciences Summer Internship Program offers various positions of relevance to life sciences and biotech. MRes, MPhil or PhD students will be prioritized for R&D positions.
Apart from working in the research and development department, you may be assigned to intern at our partner company on business/product development, investment, marketing and communication, and program or project management, etc. We encourage applicants to break through the boundaries and explore the different roles in the life sciences/biotech/biomedical sciences industry.
Watch the video to get to know more our interns’ experience working in different biotech sectors during the internship.
Marketing Communication and Program Management
Are there any pre and post-internship activities?
Selected interns are required to join all the Program-related activities during the Summer Internship Program, such as orientations, a study tour and weekend sharing sessions. These activities will allow interns to explore different life sciences and biotech opportunities and understand industry development.
Here are some of our activities from the previous years for reference.
Is it a mandatory to complete the full Program? What will be the start date and end date of the internship?
Yes, all interns are required to complete the full Program which lasts for seven weeks (inclusive of a six-week internship and pre and post-internship activities). The HKLSS Life Sciences Summer Internship Program working period will start from late June to mid-August. However, the start or end dates might slightly vary, subject to the company's decision.
About the Eligibility
Who is eligible to apply for this Program?
Senior-year undergraduate or postgraduate students aged 18 or above, with an academic qualification in life sciences, biomedical sciences, medicine, data science or business (with a science or tech focus). This Program is also open to local students who are studying abroad.
Priority will be given to MRes, MPhil or PhD students when considering interns for R&D positions.
Recent graduates and applicants with other relevant backgrounds will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
I am a non-local student studying at a local university, am I eligible? Do I need a permit to intern in Shanghai or Shenzhen?
Non-local students studying in Hong Kong are eligible to apply for this Program. Those with a valid Home Return Permit or Hong Kong and Macau Travel Permit may choose Shanghai or Shenzhen as their internship location. However, students holding a student visa can only select Hong Kong due to visa restrictions.
Will HKLSS apply the work permit for me?
No. Applicants must verify their eligibility to work on their desired locations. Applicants without a valid work permit will not be considered.
I am a junior year student, am I eligible?
Most of the positions require interns with more in-depth knowledge in the industry. Therefore, the company will prioritize applicants who are studying in the senior year. HKLSS will still consider applications from junior year students on case-by-case basis.
About the Application
How can I apply for the Program?
You can apply for the Program by filling in the application form and indicating your preferred program(s) by ticking the box(es). You can submit the application for the Summer Internship Program 2026 and Mentorship Scheme 2026/27 together.
Can I choose the location and the job area for an internship?
You can indicate your interested area(s) and location preference (Hong Kong, Shanghai, or Shenzhen) in the online application. HKLSS and the participating companies will take it into account during the job mapping.
I am a non-local student studying at a local university and thus don't speak Chinese. Is there still a place for me in this Program?
Non-Chinese speakers are also welcome to apply the program. However, those who are proficient in Mandarin and written Chinese may have a higher chance of being selected for an internship in the Chinese Mainland.
When will I get a response after submitting my application?
Shortlisted candidates will be notified of interviews via email by Q1 2026.
About the Selection
What are the selection criteria of the internship?
Applicants will be shortlisted based on their academic performance, past working experience, and interview performance etc.
What is the selection process?
There are two rounds of interviews (subject to companies):
The 1st round interview will be conducted by HKLSS by Q1 2026.
The 2nd round interview will be conducted by the participating companies.
Offers will be confirmed to selected candidates after the interviews.
A series of collateral events for the Summer Internship Program will begin in mid-June, prior to the internship period from late June to mid-August.
Is there anything we should prepare for the interview?
Like any job interview, you may be asked the below questions:
- Self-introduction
- What do you expect to learn from the Program?
- Which specific areas of life sciences/biotech are you interested in? Why?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
If I am now doing an exchange program/studying in another country, can I arrange an online interview?
Yes, virtual interviews may be arranged for applicants abroad.
How many students will be accepted into the Life Sciences Summer Internship Program?
The 2026 intake will be approximately 50-60 interns. HKLSS reserves the right to determine the final number of interns.
About Contract and Allowance
Will I be paid for the internship?
Each intern will be paid upon completion of the internship. There may have some pay variations, subject to the decision by individual companies.
Can I apply for leave/sick leave during the internship period?
Students are not allowed to take vacations or breaks during the internship period unless under special circumstances. Regarding sick leave, policies of each company vary.
Why do I need to pay the deposit?
As the number of internship positions is limited, HKLSS aims to identify the most outstanding and dedicated candidates to join our Summer Internship program.
The deposit for all successful applicants shall be HK$2,500. The above fee, to be paid after accepting the offer, will be returned to the intern upon completion of the internship.
Do I need to pay/arrange for my transportation and accommodation if I am going to intern in the Chinese Mainland?
HKLSS will arrange and include accommodation and insurance for interns working in the Chinese Mainland. Return transportation is provided for interns in Shanghai. HKLSS staff will contact selected interns regarding specific details and arrangements.
The above FAQs are for reference only. The HKLSS Life Sciences Summer Internship Program is subject to modification without advance notice.
