Pharmacology Industry Internships for PhD Students (PIIPS) Program
PIIPS General Info Heading link
The College of Pharmacy at UIC invites graduate students to apply for the Pharmacology Industry Internships for PhD Students (PIIPS) Program. The goal of this program is to provide opportunities for PhD students interested in non-academic careers. As a participant, you will put your PhD training into practice, learn new skills, develop professionally, and make valuable contacts with industry leaders.
The PIIPS Program is funded by an institutional award from the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET).
PIIPS Program Description
The ASPET-sponsored PIIPS program is for UIC College of Pharmacy graduate students who have or will have passed their candidacy exams by the date of the internship and who are interested in careers in industry related to their field of study upon graduation. Only students from participating faculty members’ labs, who will not have graduated by the time of the internship, may apply for the PIIPS award. Participating labs may change annually, so check back for updates. The award comes with a stipend of $7,000 for the summer.
The PIIPS Program has been retired.
PIIPS Quotes Heading link
The PIIPS fellowship was really an eye opening experience that helped highlight the differences in scientific practice between industry and academia, as well as the role these enterprises play in drug development. More specifically, I learned new experimental approaches, how to develop and conduct protocols according to good manufacturing practice, and about how a small pharmaceutical company is organized. While I will continue my career as a postdoctoral fellow in an academic setting, this experience gave me valuable information that I will undoubtedly use during the rest of my career!
| UIC Graduate, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Scripps Research Institute
My internship at AbbVie helped me confirm that, after completing my PhD, I wanted to find a career in industry. I believe that having this internship on my resume helped me get interviews at both large and small pharmaceutical companies. The direct work experience I gained during my internship gave me confidence during these interviews that I could fulfill the requirements outlined in a job posting and helped me get a job after my defense.
| UIC Graduate, Scientist at Acceleron Pharma
Working for a small pharmaceutical company has always been something I have considered upon completing graduate school. However, I did not have any experience in industry prior to my time at Sirenas. The fellowship through PIIPS gave me an invaluable opportunity to evaluate this potential career path.
| UIC Graduate Student