Role Description:
Biologics Analytical Sciences Intern
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Internship Summary:
The summer intern will work closely with a mentor within Zoetis Veterinary Medicine Research and Development’s Biologics Analytical Sciences (BAS) team. The mentor will provide guidance, coaching, and support throughout training, project research, and the preparation of the final report.
This internship offers hands-on experience in molecular biology by supporting the development and validation of molecular assay methods. The intern will collaborate & work with a research team to design and perform experiments aimed at efficient assay implementation for biologics projects. They will operate advanced equipment to enhance high-throughput sample processing and build skills in method development, data visualization, analysis, and reporting. The internship concludes with the intern evaluating results and presenting their findings through oral and poster presentations.
Internship Job Duties:
- Design and optimize qPCR assays incorporating a duplex/multiplex strategy for dual-target detection, including DNA template design and primer/probe concentration optimizations.
- Collaborate with colleagues and cross functional SMEs to design and execute experiments and ensure timely completion and documentation of work.
- Validate the optimized assay using internal test molecules to evaluate performance metrics such as assay specificity, sensitivity, cross-reactivity, linearity, spike recovery, and assay range.
- Perform bridging studies comparing new assay method against the existing method to assess equivalency or improvements in accuracy and reproducibility.
- Document experimental protocols, results in electronic notebook, and support implementation of the optimized assay in routine testing workflows.
- Identify areas of improvement to current processes in a comprehensive analysis of data and work with manager to evaluate feasibility.
Internship Qualifications:
- Currently pursuing a Master’s degree or Bachelor’s (at least Junior standing) degree from an accredited college/university in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or a closely related life sciences discipline.
- Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher plus prior experience with working in molecular biology research lab is required.
- Foundational knowledge of qPCR technologies and molecular assay development, with hands-on experience in laboratory molecular biology techniques.
- Strong laboratory skills with attention to detail, particularly in nucleic acid sample handling, DNA/RNA extraction, primer and probe design, experimental design, and PCR-based methods.
- Ability to critically analyze experimental data and communicate findings effectively in both written and verbal formats to internal and external partners.
- Self-starter, proactive, capable of working independently, and possessing strong organizational skills with the ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced research environment.
This internship provides a unique opportunity to contribute to a high-impact initiative by advancing assay technology for improving biopharmaceutical testing efficiency and increasing throughput.
Thefollowinghourly pay rates reflectthe anticipatedbasepayforthisposition:
If the selected candidate is a student pursuing an Associate-level degree: $16.00 per hour
If the selected candidate is a student pursuing an Undergraduate-level degree: $22.00 per hour
If the selected candidate is a student pursing a Graduate-level degree: $32.50 per hour
If the selected candidate is a student pursuing a Doctorate-level degree: $36.00 per hour
Thefollowinghourly pay rates reflectthe anticipatedbasepayforthispositionif a selected candidatewereto be located in California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois (Chicago area), Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington (Seattle area):
Student pursuing an Associate-level degree: $17.00 per hour
Student pursuing an Undergraduate-level degree: $24.20 per hour
Student pursing a Graduate-level degree: $36.40 per hour
Student pursuing a Doctorate-level degree: $40.30 per hour
Full timeIntern (Trainee)Colleague
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