Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistantship

The Biomedical Ethics Research Program offers several post-baccalaureate research assistantships for people interested in pursuing empirical scholarship in bioethics.

These positions are especially well suited for students seeking a gap year between undergraduate and graduate studies. Graduates of our post-baccalaureate assistantship have successfully matriculated into medical, graduate and law schools around the United States.

This opportunity provides research assistants with a paid position to conduct research in a mentored environment for 1 to 2 years. Research assistants are expected to dedicate 40 hours a week to their research projects and related activities.

The assistantship features a supportive, team-based environment. Research assistants are paired with faculty mentors and contribute to active research projects that align with their academic and professional interests.

Through close collaboration with experienced bioethics researchers, research assistants can gain skills in many areas, including:

• Empirical research methods.
• Study design.
• Data collection, including semistructured interviews, surveys and focus groups.
• Qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Scholarly writing.
• Peer-reviewed publications.
• Conference presentations.

The assistantship also includes training in the foundations of bioethics. Research assistants are introduced to key concepts and topics within this interdisciplinary field. Individualized development plans and check-ins enable research assistants to improve their capabilities and set meaningful goals for their time at Mayo Clinic and beyond. The assistantship also fosters long-lasting professional relationships with peers, colleagues and mentors.

Research assistantship positions are typically available at multiple Mayo Clinic locations. However, the number of positions available at each site varies based on faculty participation and capacity.

Responsibilities and opportunities as a research assistant

The benefits of choosing Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is frequently ranked as one of the top hospitals in the United States. Research assistants can collaborate with nationally and internationally recognized physicians and scholars and gain hands-on experience with clinically relevant research at a major academic medical center.

A typical day of work

Research assistants engage in a variety of key research tasks every day, including:

• Drafting moderator guides.
• Developing survey questions.
• Conducting qualitative interviews.
• Completing literature reviews.
• Contributing to bioethics scholarship through written and oral presentations of research.

Research assistants enhance their knowledge of biomedical ethics through Grand Rounds, journal clubs and relevant guest lectures. They also may have the opportunity to participate in community engagement projects.

Topics of research

Research assistants are paired with mentors based on shared research interests and goals. Program scholarship spans areas such as organ transplantation, decentralized clinical trials, biobanking, genetic return of results, whole-exome screening, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven digital health tools for patients and healthcare professionals. Research assistants have historically contributed to these and other projects, often engaging with multiple investigators across many topics.

Publishing and presenting research

Many of our research assistants have been listed as authors on publications and have presented at external conferences in the United States. All research assistants give internal presentations within the Biomedical Ethics Research Program. The opportunity to contribute to peer-reviewed publications depends on many factors, including the availability of publishable research findings, individual goals and the length of employment at Mayo Clinic.

Education and professional development

The research assistantship provides numerous enrichment opportunities, including:

• Graduate school classes. Research assistants are eligible to enroll in any Mayo Clinic graduate school course free of tuition. Past research assistants have taken courses in bioethics, research methodologies, statistics, human anatomy and health disparities.
• Shadowing. Research assistants can shadow physicians, clinical ethics consultants and other health professionals. Past assistants have shadowed in neurosurgery, emergency medicine, transplant medicine, internal medicine, pathology and palliative care.
• Professional development. The research assistantship offers networking opportunities to connect students with professionals in their areas of interest. These include program mentors, guest lecturers, seminar speakers and collaborators at conferences. Research assistants may also gain experience as teaching assistants, contribute to multiple research projects and participate in community engagement initiatives.
• Community. The assistantship emphasizes a collegial and collaborative working environment. Program activities include regular staff and lab meetings, lunchtime lectures, and training seminars that provide opportunities to meet and discuss with peers and colleagues in both formal and informal settings.

Employment and living information

Work hours

Post-baccalaureate research assistants are expected to dedicate 40 hours a week to research activities. Overtime is possible during especially busy weeks. Activities not related to a project, such as shadowing, are not included as paid working hours.

Compensation

Research assistants are full-time employees and are paid on an hourly basis. Research assistants employed for more than a year are eligible for paid vacation and other benefits granted to Mayo Clinic employees. Those working for less than a year are not eligible for benefits. Learn more about benefits at Mayo Clinic.

Time off for school interviews

We recognize that the application process for advanced education can be demanding. The research assistantship is flexible and understanding of interview schedules and admission tests for graduate, law and medical schools.

Housing options

Research assistants based in Rochester, Minnesota, have many options for housing, including near and around the downtown Mayo Clinic campus. Past research assistants have found affordable accommodations within walking distance of campus. In Arizona, housing in the North Phoenix area includes a mix of furnished and unfurnished home rentals and apartments within a short drive of the Mayo Clinic campus.

Getting to and from work

Most Rochester-based research assistants live near the office and walk or bike to and from work. Bikes can be stored in secured bike rooms on campus. In addition, Mayo Clinic provides a shuttle bus from several designated lots in Rochester. Some apartment complexes offer a shuttle service. Rochester Public Transit also provides service to Mayo Clinic via park-and-ride lots and neighborhood bus routes. Mayo Clinic employees don't need a bus pass to use the park and ride or neighborhood routes for work. While a car may be helpful, it's not necessary.

Most Arizona-based research assistants drive, carpool or use public transit. Electric vehicle charging stations are available on campus in designated employee parking areas. Fees apply at some charging stations. A bus card or light-rail pass is available. A vanpool program through Valley Metro is also an option, with several locations around the area. While this program is subsidized by Mayo Clinic, participating employees pay a monthly fee. Bicycle parking is also available, with a secure bike room in the parking garage at the Phoenix campus.

Application process

Eligibility

To be eligible for the post-baccalaureate research assistantship, applicants must have completed a bachelor's degree before the position start date and must plan to pursue medical, law or graduate school admission.

Applicants also must have authorization to work and remain in the United States without Mayo Clinic visa sponsorship. They must pass a background check and a post-offer placement assessment before their start date. People who will be enrolled in a graduate program during the research assistantship are not eligible.

Applicant qualities

A strong applicant is:

• Committed to pursuing a career in which they engage in topics in biomedical ethics.
• Able to work both independently and in collaborative team environments.
• Proficient in written and verbal communication.
• Competent in identifying relevant peer-reviewed publications on specialized research topics.
• Highly motivated to learn new research methods.

Submit an application now

The Biomedical Ethics Research Program is now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year. You must apply by 11:59 p.m. Central time Feb. 16, 2026.

Apply to a job posting based on location:

• Graduate Research Appointment — Biomedical Ethics — Limited Tenure, Rochester, Minnesota.

Attach these documents to your application:

• Cover letter describing your career goals and how they relate to biomedical ethics research.
• Resume or CV that includes your major, relevant coursework, honors and related experiences.
• A 5- to 10-page writing sample, such as a course paper, preferably on a topic in biomedical ethics.
• Current college transcript. An unofficial copy is acceptable.
• One or two letters of recommendation, preferably from research mentors or undergraduate professors, sent to Richard Sharp, Ph.D., at bioethics@mayo.edu.

All materials must be received by the application deadline.

Application process timeline

Applications are reviewed within 4 to 6 weeks of submission. A select number of candidates are invited to one or two interviews.

Contact us

For more information or if you have specific questions about the application process or research assistantship position, call our education staff at 507-538-1433 or email us.

In addition, many of our current research assistants are available to discuss details about their experiences.