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Research Internship A First Step into the World of Research

What role does research play in design, film and art – and what are the entry points for this field? A research internship at the Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art tackles precisely this question. Current students, HSLU alumni and graduates are offered insight into day-to-day research processes in an art, design and film school.

Bild von den beiden ehemaligen Forschungspraktikanten Giulio Gallana und Luca Schaffer

The first research internships were offered in the spring semester of 2025, with the support of swissuniversities. Giulio Gallana and Luca Schaffer talk about their experiences in an interview (in Swiss German).

What is the Research Internship?

The internship is suitable for students, HSLU alumni and graduates who are interested in research in design, film and art, and who want to find out whether a career in research is of relevance to them. The internship facilitates entry-level access to pre-existing research projects within the department of Design, Film and Art. It provides insight into the day-to-day activities and various approaches of different research groups. The aim is to collect initial research experience at a design, film and art school and reflect on potential career paths. As a means to support the next academic generation, the research internship offers a path into a professional field that, to date, is rarely rendered accessible in a structured way.

What Can Participants Expect?

Participants can expect a workload of 60% in one of our four research groups over a three-month period. Structure, content and organisational aspects are arranged with the respective research group. Possible areas include:

  • Collaboration on pre-existing research projects
  • Research and mapping
  • The documentation and preparation of texts or visual materials
  • Collaboration on publicity 
  • Support for research, exhibitions, publications and further formats
     The research internship is appropriate for:
  • Alumni of the Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art with at least one Bachelor's degree
  • Master students at the Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art
  • Individuals with interest in research at the intersection between art and academia, with at least one Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline 

Curiosity, openness and interest in collaborative work processes are key. It is generally possible to collect credit points towards the Master at the Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art in accordance with an individual assessment made with the Head of the relevant course.

Call for Entries

Calls for Entries are published in the

job portal of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts

. Entry requirements and modalities are listed in each respective call and may be subject to change, depending on which research group offers the internship.

Past Interns

Information on career support  for PhD studies can be found on the page Considering a Doctorate? For those who would like to develop a specific doctorate idea, please look to the SAS PhD Preparation in the Arts for a corresponding course.
Questions on career paths for doctorate studies in design, film and art can be addressed to Vicky Kiefer at the Office for Research Affairs.