High School Internship
Open to high school students preparing to enter their junior or senior year, the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Summer Research Internship offers aspiring scientists an immersive laboratory experience with MPFI researchers.
This six-week internship is designed for students with an interest in brain structure, function and development, and the advanced imaging techniques and technologies used in neuroscience. Interns will participate in research projects alongside MPFI scientists, prepare a written scientific abstract based on their research project, and deliver a short presentation at the end of the summer.
This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of an anonymous donor.
Program Details & Requirements
Applications for the 2026 Internship Program are closed.
- Applicants must be available to work full-time (Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week) for the entire six-week period. Students who have other obligations or vacations planned during the program period should not apply.
- Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Applicants must be entering their junior or senior years in a Palm Beach or Martin County high school during the 2026-27 school year.
- Applicants must reside in Palm Beach or Martin Counties. Residents of other counties are not eligible for this internship.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older by the start date of the summer internship.
- Please note that there will be NO exceptions for the above requirements.
- Interns will be compensated at $14/hour.
Application
Application Process
All applications are to be completed online. The following components are required for application:
- Responses to the essay question (600 words maximum; see below).
- Resume saved with your name in the file name (ie: ‘JaneSmithResume.pdf).
- Unofficial transcripts showing coursework from middle school through high school.
- AP Score Report (if applicable)
Applications for the 2026 program are closed.
A Note About the Application Process
MPFI expects our interns to be independent thinkers with the capacity to problem-solve. In this spirit, we respectfully ask that parents and guardians refrain from contacting MPFI staff to discuss their child’s application.
Essay Question
(Please include your name and question in your responses)
Academic success is just one of the factors we consider when reviewing applications. The essay portion of the application gives you the opportunity to show your personality, experiences, and other personal qualities, revealing strengths and potential that may not be captured elsewhere in the application.
Prompt: “How would participating in the Max Planck Florida Summer Internship program help you achieve your goals? What experience – academic or otherwise – makes you uniquely qualified to be selected for this program?”
Please limit your response to 600 words.
Internship Tracks
Neuroscience
Max Planck offers students the opportunity to take part in intensive neuroscience research in the laboratory. Students will gain experience doing hands-on “wet lab” techniques such as genetic engineering, microbiology preparations, histological staining, and microscopy. These techniques are a subset of methodologies used to answer basic research questions about the structure and function of neural circuits. Students with a strong background in biological and chemical sciences are well suited for this track.
Scientific Programming
The new technologies used for probing the brain generate large volumes of complex data. Analyzing and interpreting these data poses a unique challenge requiring skills from many disciplines. As a result, Max Planck offers students with a background in computer programming (particularly with C/C++, Python, Matlab, or Java) the opportunity to work on projects developing software programs for use in data analysis. Students with a strong background in mathematics, physics, and programming are well suited for this track.
Mechanical Engineering
Students interested in gaining knowledge in mechanical engineering and design, as well as obtaining experience with machining tools may apply for an internship in our Mechanical Workshop. Interns are trained by expert machinists to design and create custom parts, using a CAD program called SolidWorks. These parts are then used to enable cutting-edge neuroscience research at the institute.
Programming - Public Engagement
New this year, the selected student will help develop online activities and web applications aimed at engaging audiences with STEM concepts. These tools will be used in classrooms and published for open access use for educators all over the world. Interns should be fluent in WordPress, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Experience developing graphics using Adobe Photoshop or Canva is a plus.
