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2027 Operations Cancer Diagnostics Intern

Abbott · WI · $16.85–$33.75 an hour · Full time

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

This internship sits in process development and automation engineering. What draws you to that work?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the focus of the role and have a real interest in it.

Tell me about an engineering project where you designed, built or tested something.

What they are checking: Whether they have hands-on experience to draw on for a technical internship.

Describe a time you hit a technical dead end. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stay resourceful and ask for help at the right time.

Tell me about a time you presented technical results to an audience.

What they are checking: Whether they can explain their work clearly, which interns do at the end of the program.

What would you do

An automated step works in testing but fails sometimes in production. How would you start investigating?

What they are checking: Whether they think about variability and gather data before changing the process.

You need input from a lab scientist who is very busy. How do you get their time?

What they are checking: Whether they respect others' workloads while still getting what the project needs.

About the work

How would you decide whether a manual lab step is a good candidate for automation?

What they are checking: Whether they think about volume, error rate and repeatability, not just what is possible.

What does it mean to design an experiment, and how would you set one up to compare two process settings?

What they are checking: Whether they understand controls, variables and enough samples to trust a result.

Why does process change need extra care when the product is a cancer diagnostic test?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that changes can affect patient results and must be validated and documented.

What tools have you used, like CAD, Python, MATLAB or lab equipment?

What they are checking: Whether they can contribute with real skills from day one.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Abbott.

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. JOB DESCRIPTION: Operations Cancer Diagnostics (Process Development & Automation Eng) Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutrition, and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. At Abbott's Cancer Diagnostics Division, we will transform the way cancer is detected, diagnosed and managed for more people around the world. We’re focused on patients, providers, doctors, researchers, and caregivers. Our medical experts partner with the industry’s best minds and collaborate with top institutions, advocacy partners, and policymakers to help change lives and transform how the world approaches cancer. Working at Abbott Unlock your potential as an Abbott Cancer Diagnostics (ONCO) intern. Join us to work on impactful projects, learn from senior leaders, and build your career. Here you can: • Contribute to meaningful, challenging projects with a direct impact on our business • Have regular access to senior leadership, providing you with an opportunity to grow and learn from the best each day • Develop your career and grow your knowledge through targeted training, a global intern community, and the opportunity to build your network • Access perks that keep you supported both inside and outside the office The Opportunity This role involves assisting with the installation, calibration, maintenance, and qualification of laboratory instrumentation within Abbott's Cancer Diagnostics division, ranging from routine service tasks to more specialized responsibilities such as supporting system investigations. The intern will collaborate closely with laboratory teams and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure equipment reliability, troubleshoot issues, and maintain compliance with regulatory and operational standards (e.g., CAP/CLIA, cGMP, FDA, ISO). In addition to hands-on equipment support, the intern will contribute to process improvement efforts by analyzing workflows, reviewing and revising SOPs, and performing data analysis to identify trends and opportunities for efficiency. The role also includes maintaining project documentation, preparing reports and presentations, and participating in team meetings and workshops. This internship offers a valuable opportunity to gain exposure to regulated environments, build strong customer relationships, and develop skills in technical service, documentation, and enterprise-level project work. This is a fully onsite position at Abbott's Cancer Diagnostics office in Madison, WI. Essential Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: • Equipment Qualification: Assist with equipment installation, preventive maintenance, and corrective maintenance. • Support Process Improvement Initiatives: Support the identification, documentation, and analysis of current workflows to uncover inefficiencies and recommend enhancements. • Review and Revise Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Collaborate with team members to update SOPs to reflect current practices, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and compliance with organizational standards. • Conduct Data Review and Analysis: Collect, clean, and analyze operational data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. Prepare summaries and visualizations to support decision-making. • Support Project Documentation and Tracking: Maintain project documentation including meeting notes, action items, timelines, and progress updates. Assist in tracking milestones and deliverables. • Prepare Reports and Presentations: Develop clear and concise reports or slide decks to communicate findings, recommendations, and project updates to internal audiences. • Documentation & Compliance: Complete accurate service records, ensure documentation meets Good Documentation Practices (GDP), and comply with safety and regulatory requirements (e.g., OSHA, FDA, ISO, CLIA) and support the company's Quality Management System (QMS). Minimum Qualifications • Enrolled in either an Associate's Degree Technical Program or Bachelor's Degree in an engineering-related field. 1 year towards an Associate's Degree Technical Program or 2 years towards a Bachelor's Degree in an engineering-related field completed by internship start • Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future Preferred Qualifications • Experience working in a regulated environment (ISO, FDA, CLIA) • Experience performing system calibrations to approved specifications • Experience with troubleshooting, including root cause analysis The base pay for this position is $16.85 – $33.75/hour In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted. JOB FAMILY: Administrative Support DIVISION: CHR Corporate Human Resources LOCATION: United States > Madison : 1 Exact Lane ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Yes, 5 % of the Time MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Lift, carry, push or pull weights of more than 20 pounds/9 kilos on a regular/daily basis Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf

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