iGEM – Application and Selection Process
Interested in joining the 2024 iGEM team? It doesn’t matter your background, anyone with a passion for synthetic biology is welcome to apply. The selection will take place between November and December, below you can find:
Information Event
How to apply
Selection
How is the iGEM team structured?
Timeline
Ready for iGEM?
Note: Due to University restrictions we are primarily recruiting for a UZH based team. Applications from ETH will still be considered and some ETH students may be recruited; we encourage you to approach us at the Information Event (22nd of November) or via email if you’re interested in iGEM. If enough ETH students are interested we will assisst in the formation of a separate ETH team. Please apply regularly, we will discuss potential solutions for ETH members at the Interviews.
If you have any questions, write an email to igem@studentbiolab.ch.
Alternatively, check out our more advanced competition in directed evolution iDEC for both UZH and ETH students.
Timeline
Nov. 22 Information event, 18:00, Y21-F-70 (Zoom)
Meeting ID: 627 0539 9897 Passcode: 078424
Nov. 22 – Dec. 6 Application period
Dec. 8 Invitation to personal talks
Dec. 11/12/13 Personal talks
Dec. 15 Final team selection
Dec. 19 First team meeting
Ready for iGEM?
If you wish to apply for the iGEM team UZurich please keep these things in mind.
iGEM is a large time commitment, which means you should have a couple of hours a week available to work on it both in the Spring and in the Autumn semester, as the final deadline for the project is usually at the end of October. Additionally, iGEM is comparable to full-time work during the summer "holidays." However, we are all still students so it is not expected that you spend as much time on it during your exam session, nor do we recommend not taking any holidays at all. What is important is that you are transparent about your availabilities from the get-go and manage with your team accordingly. Still, it is a huge time commitment and you must be prepared for that. If you are unsure, talk to some of our Alumni about their experience at the info event on the 22nd of November.
For UZH BSc. students, iGEM can be counted as a 12ECTS research internship in synthetic biology (for MSc students there are currently no secured credits). Either way, iGEM is not about the credits but the experience, connections, and unique opportunity to design your own project.
Working on a large and time-limited project can be challenging. Working in a team and developing your ideas together can be difficult but it will be rewarding! Engineering your project in the lab is going to be complicated and there will be setbacks, but you will learn a lot and overcome them. And that is one of the best feelings ever.
Think you're up for the challenge? - Scroll down!
Information Event
Nov. 22
What is iGEM? How do I join? What is the workload?
At the information event, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the iGEM competition and what it entails, discover how to apply and how the selection process works, hear iGEM Alumni present the previous projects, and connect at the apéro afterward.
When: Wednesday, the 22nd of November
What time: 18:00 – 20:00
Where: Irchel Campus, Y21-F-70 (below the cafeteria Seerose)
How to apply
Written Application
First, you apply by submitting a Written Application. Answer all questions and do not write your name in the document. Please rename the file to your name and send it to igem@studentbiolab.ch.
Deadline: Wednesday, the 6th of December, 23:59
Personal Talks
After the application period has ended, we will invite promising candidates to come and chat with us on Dec. 11/12/13. If you are invited, we will inform you about your precise time slot on the 8th of December.
Note: reserve time on the evenings of Dec. 11/12/13 for the personal talks.
Selection
The iGEM team is an integrated part of Student Biolab Zurich and will be selected by a group of members with a background in iGEM.
The final team will be announced on the 15th of December, and the first team meeting will take place on Tuesday, the 19th of December (evening).
Note: keep the evening of the 19th of December free.
How is the iGEM team structured?
To us, iGEM is mainly a learning experience. Even if you don't have previous experiences with your role you can be a valuable addition to your team if you are motivated to learn.
MANAGEMENT
To coordinate the iGEM project it is necessary to have a clear direction and organization. The team management deals with funding, competition requirements, upholding deadlines, organizing meetings, and providing the team with everything it needs.
HUMAN PRACTICES
One big part of iGEM is going beyond the lab with Human practices. Here the team examines their project carefully in regard to safety, ethics, responsibility, and possible future impacts.
Talking to safety officers, industry leaders, and researchers as well as engaging students and organizing public events are the tasks of the Human Practices team.
WET-LAB
The front line of the iGEM project. Designing and carrying out experiments, coming up with new approaches and ideas, while at the same time expanding your scientific knowledge, theoretical and practical.
You will be working as part of a lab of your choice with an experienced supervisor.
These 3 are the main fields that comprise an iGEM team, but for a team to work many additional skills and positions are necessary, such as:
Website, coding, and general IT
Design and illustration
Outreach, social media
Presenting
Communication, management, team coordination
Mathematical modeling
Writing
Education
And many more! iGEM is a broad competition and though we are making the initial selection, you and your teammates will have the freedom to choose the direction the project takes and to adapt it to your strengths and interests.
As an iGEM team has more tasks than people, you will usually need to fill multiple roles at a time.