Welcome to Advancing San Diego’s Life Sciences internship application
Advancing San Diego’s internship program is an opportunity for students from Preferred Providers of Talent programs to participate in paid-internships at local companies. This round of internships will focus on students studying in Life Sciences related fields. Below is a list of companies that are offering Lab Technician internships beginning June 2022. Lab Technician internships will be in-person experiences, staffing partner Manpower will ensure that all host companies are complying with OHSA standards and directives. If selected for an internship, you will be able to inquire about a hybrid work schedule with your host company, work permitting.
You will submit one internship application listing your top five host company choices. Please review the full list below to evaluate which companies align with your strengths, interests, and academic background before beginning your application, as it will need to be completed in one sitting.
Please take a moment to review this “How it works” document which walks through each step of the program. If you have any questions, please reach out to Andrea Crisantes Suarez – acs@sandiegobusiness.org
The application will close on Thursday, April 21 at 5pm PST.
All applicants are required to attend an onboarding session on Friday, April 22, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Please register here or contact us to request a recording.
About the company
Left Coast Engineering (LCE), now in our 23rd year, is a WOSB that offers full-service, electronic product design resources. LCE specializes in custom electronic product design, reverse engineering, and rapid prototyping in the R&D space, designing ground-up, proofs-of-concept all the way up to high-volume production units with full manufacturing documentation. LCE also can complete low-volume builds of 30-1,000 units, in-house. The company supports both new and next-gen product designs from concept to production through hardware, software, wireless, fluidics, and RF design. This design support includes product definition, certification testing, production test, validation/verification, reverse engineering, and intellectual property protection for medical, industrial, commercial, and DOD applications. Left Coast Engineering is a dba of Park-Tours, Inc. and has always been based in San Diego County.
About the internship
Intern Responsibilities:
The lab technician intern can expect to be working shoulder-to-shoulder with the engineering team supporting Left Coast Engineering projects while working on several aspects of medical devices and chemical fluidics that relate to the intern’s major. Working in a small company setting means there are lots of opportunities for hands-on experience in the design and validation of these new products that are under development. The interns in their daily tasks will be working with a bio-safety cabinet for testing as well as gathering, validating, and analyzing performance data, and other logistics that are part of the design process in product development.
Desired Skills:
- Familiarity with testing, safety, and procedures in operating a Bio-Safety Cabinet.
- Strong Excel skills for data capture and management
- Interested in getting experience in Research & Development
- Likes hands-on tasks
- Able to work in a small office environment
- Organized, as they may be asked to help organize data or materials relating to the project or the company.
Location: 810 South Escondido Boulevard, Escondido, California 92025, United States
Hours expected per week: 16 – 20 hrs.
About the company
Avidity Biosciences is pioneering a new class of oligonucleotide-based therapies called AOCs designed to overcome the current limitations of oligonucleotide therapies in order to treat a wide range of serious diseases. We utilize our proprietary AOC platform to design, engineer, and develop therapeutics that combine the tissue selectivity of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and the precision of oligonucleotide-based therapies in order to access previously undruggable tissue and cell types and more effectively target underlying genetic drivers of diseases. We are passionate about the impact of every employee in bringing these potentially transformative therapeutics to patients in need. Make a difference with us.
About the internship
Intern Responsibilities:
Highly motivated student interns are sought for an internship program within the Biology Department of Avidity Biosciences on projects related to our early drug discovery. This is a hands-on position with responsibility for cell culture, RNA isolation, and bio-lab supplies, working under general supervision of a scientist. The ideal candidate will have good understanding of basics of cell biology and is expected to be a quick learner, who enjoys drug discovery research.
Desired Skills:
• Junior or senior college students in a biological major
• Execution of general cell biological methods including sterile cell culture technique, passaging, freezing, and harvesting cells
• Knowledge of general laboratory techniques including basic cellular and tissue culture.
• Attention to detail and reliability, highly organized and trustworthy to work with highly valuable assets.
• Interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and ability to work with other members of the research team.
• Ability to multi-task well and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Relevant work experience in research labs is a plus.
Location:10975 N Torrey Pines Rd Ste 150, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
Hours expected per week: 20 – 25 hrs.
About the company
Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company whose mission is to discover, design, and deliver breakthrough therapies to transform the lives of patients with cancer and their loved ones. The company is relentlessly focused on bringing forward therapies that address areas of high unmet need, including lung cancer, and advancing a pipeline of novel therapeutics targeting the genetic and immunological drivers of cancer.
About the internship
Intern Responsibilities:
The student will acquire important research skills and techniques as well as gain experience in a cutting-edge biopharmaceutical research organization whose leadership has a proven track record of success. Students will be tasked with assisting staff scientists in cancer research and drug discovery efforts, responsible for lab management including glassware washing, ordering, and inventory of supplies, tube/sample labeling, stocking supplies, general lab upkeep and cleanliness, lab safety, and organization of safety and training files. As well as research responsibilities including reagent preparation, compound management, cell culture maintenance, in vitro 2D/3D cell viability and functional screening assays, molecular biology techniques (DNA and RNA extraction), Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, chemistry, DMPK, analytical development, computer-based data acquisition, analysis, and presentation to project team.
Desired Skills:
• Candidate must be a current student in good academic standing, pursuing a degree in biomedical sciences
• Role will be based at Company HQ site in San Diego and requires COVID-19 vaccination or weekly negative COVID-19 test results
• Candidate must be a self-starter, a team player with excellent communication and time management skills, and a quick learner with a passion to significantly contribute to team research goals
• Completion of introductory biology and chemistry courses is required
• Computer proficiency (MS office suite)
• Previous lab experience is a plus
Locations: 3545 Cray Court, San Diego, California 92121, United States
Hours expected per week: 15 – 20 hrs
About the company
Tioga Research supports the research and early development of skin‐applied products, offering formulation innovation and skin permeation screening CREDO services. The company has pioneered high throughput experimentation (“HTE”) technologies for screening skin delivery. Tioga Research was founded in 2011, to support innovations in skin-applied products, especially topical and transdermal drug products, including skin care products and cosmetics. With headquarters and laboratory operations in San Diego, CA, and a business presence in the UK to support clients in Europe, Tioga Research has become a preferred service provider for an impressive portfolio of clients across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
Tioga Research has been a subsidiary of Encube Ethicals since early 2020, enabling clients to leverage the combined strengths of both organizations from early formulation innovation through to commercial manufacturing.
About the internship
Intern Responsibilities:
- Preparation of topical formulations of drugs and of cosmetic actives (learning safety, laboratory process & procedure, experimentation design, ingredient preparation & combination, mixing and working techniques to produce lotions, creams, gels, ointments, patches, etc.)
- Set-up and running of skin deposition, delivery, and permeation studies (learning techniques for handling biological tissues, dosing a formulation onto a membrane such as skin, apparatus assembly, and checking, managing time course of samplings, performing extractions of active(s) from tissue).
- Data workup and reporting (learning experimentation data entry, use of excel for data collation and analysis)
- Supporting quality management system and quality documentation (reviewing standard operating procedures, organizing & databasing documentation)
- Operating as a full member of the company team, participating in company operational planning and reporting sessions, topical science talks, etc.)
Desired Skills:
- Experience in a biology lab, working with tissues or cultures a plus. Conversancy or experience with analytical techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography is a plus.
- Training in safety, laboratory notebook procedures, and aptitude for Excel (and Word) further pluses.
- Proven laboratory experience preferable, with familiarity with standard equipment such as pipettes, weighing balances, simple apparatus.
Locations: 6330 Nancy Ridge Drive Suite 102, San Diego, California 92121, United States
Hours expected per week: More than 25 hrs., flexible
About the company
Solecta plays a globally impactful role in the development of novel and critical separation technologies for high-value process feed streams that directly support the improvement of people’s lives. Whether it be advancements in the production of nutritionally sound food, materials for everyday life, or mitigation of environmental footprint, our team is driven to provide thoughtful and meaningful leadership in advanced separations. With a deep focus on understanding our clients’ industries and applications, Solecta strives to deliver superior value and agility to navigate today’s complex business environment. Solecta maintains manufacturing facilities and an R&D center in Oceanside, CA., and commercial offices in Minneapolis, Boston, and Chicago. Solecta is a wholly-owned subsidiary of True North Venture Partners.
About the internship
Intern Responsibilities:
This part-time internship is a great opportunity for anyone looking to gain valuable experience in both research and development and high-tech manufacturing. The intern hired for this position should expect exposure to all facets of research and development, including laboratory research on membrane design, design of experiments (DOE) and product testing, and manufacturing scale-up of new products. The opportunity to work alongside our industry experts will allow Solecta interns to leave the position with invaluable skills and industry knowledge.
Desired Skills:
• Formulate polymer solutions and handle organic solvents, chemicals for experiments, and hazardous materials disposals
• Execute laboratory testing and analysis, which may include Scanning Electron Microscopy, FTIR, UV-Vis, and other analytical instruments
• Evaluate the performance of polymeric membranes using fluid application testers
• Develop/optimize scale-up manufacturing processes
• Plan experiments and able to execute tasks independently
• Perform data analysis and create technical reports
• Other duties as assigned.
Location: 4113 Avenida de la Plata, Oceanside, California 92056, United States
Hours expected per week: 16 – 20 hrs
About the company
Xosomix (pronounced as “exosomix”) is a biotechnology company involved in the development of the next generation therapeutics using exosomes. Exosomes are transportation and logistics services of the body that carry biomolecules to specific cellular targets and have the capability to heal the defective cells and tissues. We harness the targeting capability of exosomes to improve the efficacy of current drugs and healing capability of exosomes to usher in a new era of therapeutics for the brain disorders. Xosomix is founded on the preclinical research demonstrating the first therapeutic use of exosomes in a brain disorder, Rett Syndrome.
About the internship
Intern Responsibilities:
Currently, we have a range of preclinical work being performed at our laboratory located at JLABS San Diego. We will assign the appropriate work to interns depending primarily on their interests and prior skills. We purify exosomes from biological fluids using a range of technologies. We also perform potency of exosome product in potency assays like proliferation, angiogenesis, neurite formation, synaptogenesis, and measuring coordinated neuronal firing using multi-electrode array analysis. We also perform state-of-the-art quantitative proteomics and biochemical analysis. We also have work that involves quantitative s image processing and data analysis.
Desired Skills:
- Passion for science and commitment to learn.
- Ability to follow protocols faithfully and accurately.
- Good and open communication.
- Basic documentation and quantitative skills.
- Strong conceptual foundation.
- Any hands-on laboratory experience preferred but not necessary.
Locations: 3210 Merryfield Row, San Diego, California 92121, United States
Hours expected per week: 16 – 20 hrs.
About the company
Precision Diagnostics is a laboratory based in San Diego conducting urine and oral fluid drug testing for medical providers throughout the United States. The drug testing we conduct is primarily for the purpose of helping physicians monitor their patients undergoing treatment for pain or substance abuse. Precision’s role is to ensure each participant from the patient, to the provider and the payer benefits from our continued commitment to the principles of value-based care and medically necessary test utilization. Precision’s core values are innovation, integrity, insights, & outcomes.
About the internship
Intern Responsibilities:
Lab technician interns at Precision Diagnostics can expect to work in a fast-paced toxicology laboratory that utilizes automation and robotics. Qualified applicants can expect to gain experience in general lab activities such as solvent preparation, pipette tip washing, and sample destruction. There will also be opportunities to gain experience in sample retrieval from a high-tech automation line, operation of robotics for sample preparation, and an introduction to LCMS instrumentation.
Desired Skills:
• Attention to Detail
• Multi-tasking
• Ability to work as a team
• Quick learner
• Technology/Computer literate
Locations: 4215 Sorrento Valley Blvd., San Diego, California 92121, United States
Hours expected per week: 16 – 20 hrs.
About the company
Abbiotec is a biotech company dedicated to design and manufacture life sciences reagents such as peptides, proteins, antibodies for advancing clinical research. We are also a contract research organization with an emphasis on antibody production. We are a leader company in producing llama antibodies for instance. Abbiotec has its own farm with large animals (rabbits, goats, llamas) that is USDA certified.
About the internship
Intern Responsibilities:
We have an antibody production pipeline with ongoing projects that require validation before releasing to market. Many rabbit and llama antibodies will be characterized in research applications such as ELISA and western blots, two immuno-techniques that are important skills to get for young technicians.
Desired Skills:
• Experience with antibodies preferred, but not required.
• Multi-tasking
• Passion for working at the bench, science is as much manual as intellectual.
Locations:968 S. Andreasen Dr., Suite I, Escondido, California 92029, United States
Hours expected per week: 25 hrs or more, flexible.
About the company
Aequor discovered chemicals in the ocean that are “green” and non-toxic substitutes for many of the toxic chemicals used today that have harmed the environment and our health. We have developed end-use products containing synthesized versions of these chemicals, such as water treatments, surface cleaners and industrial process enhancers for the biofuel industry. We are conducting pilot projects to test the efficacy of our projects in the field with NASA, the Air Force, the Department of Energy, and others.
About the internship
Intern Responsibilities:
The position is for a Research Assistant/Lab Assistant to assist with report writing, lab book transcription from projects that Aequor is undertaking. Interns will also be involved in the following projects: Research product ingredients in databases, patent lists, research EPA approvals for ingredients in databases, diligence in protocol and data collecting, recording, and reporting which may include liaising with third party customers, contractors, or colleagues, and document work through data recording and/or electronic note booking
Work in the lab is possible depending on prior training and experience.
Desired Skills:
• Knowledge of microbiology, bacterial cultures, assays such as MIC/MBC, and microscopy
•Pursuing a certification in biological sciences/microbiology
• Some industry experience or biofilm experience would be an advantage, but not required.
• Motived, positive, responsible, strong attention to detail
• Excellent organization and reporting skills
Locations: 3210 Merryfield Row, San Diego, California 92121, United States
Hours expected per week: 16 – 20 hrs
About the company
Aquillius Corporation is a biotech/bioengineering company that provides entrepreneurs the resources to translate ideas into reality. Our mission is to accelerate the integration of life sciences and engineering to develop innovative products that can improve human health. Our team provides a strategy-driven, synchronized process that enables effective implementation and development of devices by reducing development risks and shortening the “time-to-market”.
About the internship
Intern Responsibilities:
The Catalyst program fosters STEM entrepreneurship, where teams will be tasked with finding a solution to a real-world problem. Students will have the opportunity to develop their solution from the ideation phase through prototyping and a feasibility study, culminating in a business model proposal.
Students will participate in supervised practical training in a professional environment. Students will be exposed to life science laboratory work, such as biochemistry and molecular biology techniques; engineering laboratory work, such as 3D printing and electronic assembly; and design software, such as Solidworks. In addition, students will participate in weekly educational workshops such as value proposition, team building, business structure, marketing, and pitch deck preparation. At the end of the program, teams will participate in a Pitch Day competition.
Students will have the opportunity to interact and network with industry professionals which may include mentorship office hour forums and recruitment informational interviews.
Work in the lab is possible depending on prior training and experience.
Desired Skills:
• Motivated team players passionate about STEM entrepreneurship
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to learn quickly and work independently and as part of a team
• Great analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Ability to work in fast-paced environments
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and Excel Spreadsheet
Locations:10918 Technology Place, San Diego, California 92127, United States
Hours expected per week: 25+ hrs/Flexible
About the company
DermTech has developed proprietary processes that assess skin at the genomic and proteomic level to improve our understanding of dermatological disorders thereby enabling more personalized medicine. This is “precision dermatology,” which we believe brings a new era in assessing skin health.
Intern Responsibilities:
- Assist Scientists by contributing to experimental design, execution, and data analysis
- Test candidate biomarkers using a combination of assay technology platforms and commercially developed assays
- Perform general laboratory maintenance duties
- Help analyze and interpret resulting data, relevant literature & associated data
Desired Skills:
- A degree in a life science or working towards one
- Interest in molecular biology techniques
- Good communication skills both written and verbal
- Intrinsic curiosity
Locations: 11099 N Torrey Pines Rd, Ste 100, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
Hours expected per week: 9 -15 hrs
About the company
Codex DNA empowers researchers with end-to-end solutions and tools they need to rapidly and securely design, code, and create synthetic DNA. Experience up to 20x increases in productivity to your product development cycles. Creators of the BioXp™ system — the world’s only synthetic biology workstation — and the industry-standard Gibson Assembly® method, provide comprehensive end-to-end solutions across your synthetic biology workflows, Codex DNA, Inc. is accelerating advances in the fields of personalized medicine, biologics drug discovery, vaccine development, genome editing, and cell and gene therapy.
Intern Responsibilities:
- Work within the laboratory areas performing a variety of service duties to maintain and sterilize the laboratory suite, equipment, and labware.
- Manage the Kanban inventory management of lab supplies and consumables and liaise with all laboratory users and purchasing to ensure required supplies and consumables are maintained at safety stock levels.
- Support manufacturing performing cycle count and maintain an accurate inventory log of raw material, semi-finished and finished goods managed by Reagent Manufacturing.
- Coordinate with Manufacturing and Quality Assurance to archive completed production batch records and related documentation.
- Focused and willing to manage numerous tasks at once.
- Strictly adhere to established policies and procedures and report any problems (i.e., safety, quality, equipment, or facilities-related) to the Team Leader and/or Production Supervisor.
- Daily completion of tasks to keep lab schedule on track.
- Follow all procedures and keep detailed records and ensure accurate and legible documentation.
- Willingness to constantly innovate and identify ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of daily tasks.
- All other reasonable tasks may be requested by the Team Leader and/or the Production Supervisor.
Desired Skills:
- Self-motivated, hard-working, detail-oriented, and able to work in a fast-paced team environment with demonstrated problem-solving skills
- Excellent time management skills and ability to work independently
- Working computer literacy using Microsoft Office Suite
- Performs excellent internal customer service with effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
- Prior experience working in a laboratory environment is preferred
Locations: 10182 Telesis Court, Ste 200 San Diego, CA 92121
Hours expected per week:25+ hrs/Flexible