Biology Intern

Role Description:

BIOLOGY INTERN

Location: KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN

Internship Summary:

The biological sciences intern will work closely with Zoetis project teams at the laboratory level. Experience will be gained in the design and implementation of cell-based, immunological, and molecular assays in support of initiatives within the Swine Biologicals group.

Internship Job Duties:

• Maintain multiple mammalian cell lines for cell-based virus quantification. Tasks include:
  • Learning good sterile technique while working with cell culture in a biosafety cabinet.
  • Formulating appropriate cell culture growth media while maintaining sterility.
  • Using a light microscope to visually inspect cells on a regular basis.
  • Maintaining accurate cell culture records.
• Perform cell-based virus quantification assays. Tasks include:
  • Diluting samples using automation equipment and titrating virus samples by live cell culture quantification assays.
  • Detecting virus via indirect and direct fluorescence using fluorescent microscopy and/or automated imagers.
• Design, optimize and develop immunological assays (e.g., ELISA)
  • Learn and implement ELISA and Western Blot assays to detect antibodies and antigens in clinical samples and vaccine preparations.
• Design, optimize and develop PCR, qPCR, RT-qPCR and ddPCR assays:
  • PCR assays will require learning and using agarose gel electrophoresis to detect bands of specific molecular weight.
  • qPCR and RT-qPCR assays will require the use of preparing appropriate reagents and using automation to load reaction plates.
  • ddPCR assays will require reaction setup, droplet formation using a robotic droplet generator, thermal cycling, and droplet analysis.
• Summarize project work for end-of-internship poster session

Internship Qualifications:

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a team environment
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to produce detailed electronic scientific records
• Willingness to work in a laboratory environment with other scientists
• Currently working toward a B.A. or B.S degree in biological sciences or related discipline

The following hourly pay rates reflect the anticipated base pay for this position:

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

The following hourly pay rates reflect the anticipated base pay for this position if a selected candidate were to 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

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.