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.