The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance (VCCC Alliance) is once again offering unique and highly sought-after internship opportunities for enthusiastic science/health PhD and masters graduates looking to build a career in clinical trials. Running successfully since 2019, this 40-week Study Coordinator internship program provides successful applicants with the opportunity to learn and gain valuable skills and practical experience in clinical trials at various participating sites across Victoria, commencing Monday 20 February 2023.
Both regional and metropolitan placements are available through this program and are advertised separately. This opportunity refers to Melbourne regional placements for scientific PhD and masters graduates. A stipend to contribute towards living expenses will be provided. Applicants currently living outside metropolitan Melbourne must be prepared to relocate or travel at their own expense for this opportunity.
Regions include Shepparton or Wangaratta.
This internship opportunity is part of the VCCC Alliance’ SKILLED Internship Program, located in Victorian-based clinical trial units. Through the internship program, the VCCC Alliance is committed to developing a highly skilled clinical trial workforce with the aim of expanding clinical trial activity, access, and patient participation in clinical trials across Victoria. The program aims to develop successful applicant interns into job-ready Study Coordinators at the conclusion of the 40-week program.
This opportunity is suitable for PhD and masters science / health graduates interested in gaining the requisite knowledge and skills to become a Study Coordinator and contribute to the clinical trial workforce.
As an Intern, you will participate in a structured learning program, including onsite supervision at a clinical trial unit and a requirement to attend placement 5 days per week. You will be provided with comprehensive training and expert mentoring while completing practical, real-world tasks to develop your skills that are designed to competitively position you for an ongoing role in the clinical trial sector as a Study Coordinator.
As a Study Coordinator Intern, you will assist with the coordination of clinical trials under the supervision and guidance of the host site team to ensure that all clinical trials are managed according to the International Conference for Harmonization (ICH) guidelines for Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and maintain the safety and protection of trial participants and the integrity of trial data subsequently collected.
Training will include the development of core clinical trial knowledge, skills, and experience in the areas of:
Specifically, during the second half of the internship, the Intern will undertake a process/quality improvement project in consultation with the host site. The intern will monitor a clinical trial process, identify areas for improvement, and in cooperation with the host site implement, implement, report and present on the outcomes of the improvement activity.
As a part of the SKILLED Study Coordinator Internship Program, Interns are provided a stipend to contribute towards cost-of-living expenses. SC interns will be disbursed a stipend at scheduled time points over the 40-week program.
The successful candidates will be aligned to match the requirements of the site and cohort.
Applications to be addressed to Ms. Chris Packer, Manager, SKILLED Internship Program, closing at 5pm Friday 28 October 2022.
Applicants must be available to commit to the placement site for the duration of the internship (40 weeks).
Applications must be made via SEEK and include a resume and cover letter clearly addressing the key selection criteria. Applications without these inclusions will not be progressed. Interviews will be scheduled for mid – late October 2022 and will be conducted either remotely via Zoom or in person, depending on COVID-19 restrictions at the time. VCCC Alliance endeavour to review all applications submitted in a timely manner and communicate the outcome within a week of the closing date, or as soon after as possible. The SKILLED internship program receives a high volume of applications, and your patience is appreciated with scheduling interviews. Candidates recommended for interview will be provided a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to interview.
Further Applicant Information is available on the VCCC Alliance website:
FAQ document (available from Monday 19th September).
Virtual Q&A session. Attendance is not compulsory. We invite you to join via the below link if you have questions requiring clarification about the SKILLED Internship.
Hear directly from a host site here, the Royal Children’s Hospital, about the previous SKILLED internship program. and Lisa Bell, previous SC intern here.
Please review this information prior to contacting VCCC Alliance directly. If your question is not covered in the available information, please email Rachel Barrett, Internship Program Coordinator [email protected] (Please do not submit your application via this email. All applications must be made via SEEK).
Please note that due to internship funding requirements, only candidates who hold Australian Permanent Residency or Citizenship can be considered.
The Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Alliance was established in 2009 and is a powerful alliance of ten successful Victorian organisations committed to cancer control: Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne Health (including The Royal Melbourne Hospital), the University of Melbourne, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, The Royal Women’s Hospital, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Western Health, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (including St Vincent's Institute), Austin Health (including the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and Austin Lifesciences) and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
The SKILLED internship program involves not only members of the alliance but also other metropolitan and regional clinical trial units across Victoria.
The VCCC Alliance is committed to equal opportunity and the benefits to be gained from an inclusive and diverse environment. We are therefore committed to ensuring our recruitment and selection processes are based on merit and the requirements of the internship, free from all forms of unlawful discrimination.
The SKILLED Clinical Trials Internships program is part of the MTPConnect Researcher Exchange and Development within Industry (REDI) initiative funded through the Australian Government's Medical Research Future Fund.
The VCCC Alliance SKILLED internship program would like to acknowledge the program funding partners:
