Process Development Intern

Position Title:

Process Development Intern

Start Date:

Spring

Job Description:

We are looking for a process development intern to support product development, manufacturing, and laboratory research. The application deadline for this co-op is November 15th. Please note that the company’s reviews applications on a rolling basis and reserves the right to close this job posting prior to the listed deadline. This job posting is for a temporary role with a third-party agency partner that provides services to the company.

Responsibilities:

• The Drug Product Development team within Process Development is responsible for developing scalable, high-quality drug product processes to advance the company’s Cell and Gene Therapy programs from early development through manufacturing readiness.
• This Co-op position offers the opportunity to contribute to a high-impact cryopreservation process development project for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) drug product.
• The role will focus on establishing a cryo-microscopy workflow to evaluate cryoprotective agent (CPA) diffusion into islets and characterize islet responses across different cryoprotective formulations and cryopreservation conditions.
• By integrating experimental imaging data with computational modeling, the Co-op will characterize CPA diffusion kinetics, inform formulation development, and identify opportunities to optimize key cryopreservation parameters.
• This experience offers hands-on exposure to cell therapy drug product development and collaboration with cross-functional teams advancing innovative therapies for people living with T1D.
• Establish a standardized cryo-microscopy workflow for real-time imaging of stem cell-derived islets during CPA loading, unloading, and controlled freeze/thaw cycles, including sample preparation, staining, imaging, and data-capture procedures.
• Design and execute cryopreservation studies using selected CPA formulations and loading/unloading strategies, generating cryo-microscopy datasets to characterize islet morphology and response across conditions.
• Develop an initial computational modeling framework that complements experimental cryo-microscopy data. Model the correlation between CPA diffusion kinetics, islet size and morphology, and cryopreservation process parameters.
• Integrate experimental and computational results to characterize CPA diffusion kinetics and islet response across formulations and process conditions. Use findings to identify promising CPA formulations and loading/unloading strategies and guide next steps for screening and cryopreservation process optimization.

Required Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a graduate degree (PhD and master’s are preferred); or undergraduate degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Computational Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience with mammalian cell culture, including aseptic technique, routine cell culture handling, media preparation, and sample preparation; experience with stem cells or stem cell-derived products is preferred.
• Foundational knowledge of cell cryopreservation and hands-on experience with cell freezing and thawing; experience with cell aggregates, spheroids, organoids, or other three-dimensional cell systems is a plus.
• Experience with cell microscopy, including sample preparation, cell staining, image acquisition, and image-based evaluation; experience with cryo-microscopy is a plus.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with computational modeling approaches relevant to molecular dynamics, diffusion kinetics, or cryopreservation processes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to independently troubleshoot experimental challenges, manage priorities, and maintain accurate documentation and attention to detail in a fast-paced laboratory environment.
• Highly motivated and collaborative team player with strong communication skills, intellectual curiosity, and a desire to learn new techniques while contributing to complex, high-impact process development work.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future. Please note that the company’s does not provide sponsorship for internships/co-ops or entry level roles within this part of the organization.
• You must be enrolled in an advanced degree program if graduating before June 2027.
• The company Process Development Co-Op is a 6-month experiential training program for students currently working towards an advanced degree in Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, or other related fields. If you are passionate, collaborative, and growth-minded, a co-op at the company will help you gain meaningful experience in the company's Drug Product Development functional areas and serve as a launchpad for your career.

Position Highlights:

• Connect with leaders and peers who want to see you succeed through professional networks, connections, and collaborations that will shape your longer-term career.
• Over the course of this 6-month Co-op, the individual will contribute to the following project deliverables.
• Full-time, paid co-op $30.00 – 50.00 USD/hour.
• Program Dates: January – July 2027.

Perks & Benefits:

• Flexible hours.
• Stock or equity.
• Bonus eligibility.

Important:

The successful application submission for the above role(s) will be conditional to your profile evaluation by our Recruitment Specialists using the AI system. We can let you know better once you submit your resume.