KCGIP figma update HS

A Master's
That Matters

Accelerate Your Career

The Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program equips master's students with the real‑world scientific and professional skills that launch meaningful careers in research and industry.

Apply Now 

5 Specialized Tracks

Choose Your Path

With five focused tracks, our master's program blends applied coursework, immersive lab experience and a 9-month paid internship. We don't just train scientists, we cultivate collaborative problem-solvers ready with the technical skills they need to succeed in fast-paced, team-driven careers in industry and government labs.

bioinformatics lab student

Bioinformatics & Genomics

Combine computer science and statistics to analyze and interpret omics and other biological data to drive advances in biology, biotechnology, and precision medicine, improve human health, and accelerate discovery.

Typical student backgrounds:

Chemistry Biology Biochemistry Computer Science Math Physics

Career Paths:

  • ✓ Biological Data Scientist
  • ✓ Bioinformatics Engineer or Scientist
  • ✓ Computational Biologist
molecular sensor lab

Molecular Sensors and Biotechnology

Solve biotechnology challenges by synthesizing novel sensing molecules. Gain skills through immersive coursework in organic chemistry, chemical biology, analytical chemistry, molecular sensing, and imaging.

Typical student backgrounds:

Biochemistry Chemical Biology Chemical Engineering Chemistry

Career Paths:

  • ✓ Product Development Chemist
  • ✓ Research Chemist
  • ✓ Research Engineer
students experimenting with laser

Optics

Integrate technology, optical elements, fiber optics, optoelectronics, electronics and software programming to build state-of-the-art instruments for science research and advanced manufacturing.

Typical student backgrounds:

Physics Electrical Engineering

Career Paths:

  • ✓ Optical Engineer
  • ✓ Laser Engineer
  • ✓ Photonics Research Engineer
Polymers lab students

Polymers

Use chemistry to design and understand materials. This interdisciplinary field encompasses organic chemistry, materials science, and engineering to create and characterize materials with real-world applications.

Typical student backgrounds:

Biochemistry Chemistry Chemical Engineering

Career Paths:

  • ✓ Polymer Chemist
  • ✓ Materials Engineer
  • ✓ R&D Chemist
semiconductors research

Semiconductors

Design and develop next-generation semiconductor devices and integrated circuits for computing, communications, and electronics.

Typical student backgrounds:

Chemistry Chemical Engineering Physics

Career Paths:

  • ✓ Process Engineer
  • ✓ Application Engineer
  • ✓ Yield or Quality Engineer
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Student Experience

Why This Program Works

Hear from students about their experience in the Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program.

Catie Carmosino

Bioinformatics Track

Jessica Martinez

"The Knight Campus program opened doors I never knew existed. My internship at Intel turned into a full-time position!"

Amelia Dayton, Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics Track

Amelia Dayton

"All of the group work prepared me to be a strong, flexible member of my team who is ready for anything!"

Brock Cottle

Sensors Track

Aisha Patel

"Working with my cohort and mentors has been transformative. We're not just classmates—we're a community."

Tori Sorg

PolymerS Track

Michael Chen

"The hands-on research opportunities and industry connections made this program an invaluable investment in my future."

📊

98%

Historical graduation rate since 1998

💰

$72.5K

Average annualized internship compensation for 2024 cohort

🏢

80+

Hiring Partners 
in the Last 5 Years

🎯

90%

Graduates who are employed in their field within three months

Economic Value

An Investment in Your Future

The Knight Campus program delivers exceptional value with competitive tuition, funding opportunities, and strong ROI through high-demand career placement.

15-18 Months

Complete your degree

$72.5K

Average annualized internship 
compensation for 2024 cohort

98%

Receive paying internships

62%

Receive funding, grants or scholarships

Funding Opportunities

9-month Paid Internship

The average annualized internship compensation for the past year is $72,500.

Inclusion and Diversity Scholarships

All applicants to the Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program are encouraged to apply for this unique scholarship opportunity sponsored by corporate partner MKS Instruments.

Workforce Ready Training Fellowship and Oregon Pathways to Industry Research Careers Scholarship 

Programs that supports academically talented students with high financial need.

KCGIP General Scholarship

All students admitted to the Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program are eligible for this scholarship. Overall strength of program application will be used as a consideration for award conferral.

Industry Partners

Recent Internships

Our students have secured paid internships at leading companies and research institutions across all five specialized tracks.

Semiconductors

  • MKS Instruments (ESI)
  • Wolfspeed
  • iMEC
  • Analog Devices
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Qorvo
  • Oregon Physics
  • Keysight Technologies
  • Lumotive
  • HRL Laboratories
  • Lam Research
  • TSMC

Molecular Sensors and Biotechnology

  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Synthepor
  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
  • Lonza
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Catalent
  • Oregon Health and Sciences University
  • Covalent Metrology

Optics

  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • Trillium Engineering
  • Radiall
  • Coastal Connections
  • Ouster
  • Oregon Physics
  • UO Physics
  • MKS Instruments (Spectra Physics)
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Lumotive
  • Quantinuum
  • Covalent Metrology
  • Sierra Olympia

Polymers

  • Lonza
  • Hewlett Packard
  • Willamette Valley Company
  • LANXESS
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
  • Bend Bioscience
  • Qorvo
  • Edulis Labs
  • Fujifilm/Boeing
  • UO KCGIP

Bioinformatics

  • UO Biology
  • UO Knight Campus Bioengineering
  • Fred Hutch Cancer Center
  • Sanford Burnham Prebys
  • University of Albany RNA Institute
  • Allen Institute
  • St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
  • Lawrence Livermore National Lab
  • Oregon Health and Sciences University
  • BillionToOne
  • Etalon Diagnostics
  • Novartis
  • Learnewable
  • UT Austin
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Johannes Gutenberg University
  • Stowers Institute for Medical Research
Hands-On Learning

More Than Just Lectures

Our program is designed around hands-on learning and real-world application. You'll work alongside faculty while building a large and lasting professional network.

👥

Small Cohort Model

Work closely with 13-25 peers in your cohort, fostering deep connections and collaborative learning.

🔬

Advanced Research Facilities

Access state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment used by leading scientists in your field.

🎓

Community of Mentorship

Provides networking opportunities, professional development, and access to a robust alumni network. 

Knight Campus Graduate Internship Student
News and Events

See What's Happening

Explore the latest stories, events, and achievements across our program.

The University of Oregon has been awarded $1.5 million from Oregon's Semiconductor Talent Sustaining Fund (STSF) to expand immersive learning experiences, grow industry internship opportunities, and develop semiconductor courses in collaboration with partner universities.
Tickled Peachy Keen, an unusual fruity, sour beer designed by students as a capstone project and made in collaboration with commercial brewers, will be on tap at Claim 52 Brewing from 5-6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 10
Knight Campus Building 2 opened to the public on Monday, March 30. Building 2 is part of the second phase of Knight Campus development, a 185,000-square-foot, multi-story bioengineering and applied science research facility.

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Applications for Summer 2026 are now open. Join the Knight Campus Graduate Internship Program and transform your career.

Application Deadline: February 15, 2026 | Start Date: June 2026