Laboratory Automation Systems Intern

About the Role

The Laboratory Automation Systems Intern will support a campus-wide initiative focused on improving the visibility, documentation, and knowledge management of laboratory automation platforms. This 10–12 week internship provides hands-on exposure to laboratory automation, digital systems, technical data management, responsible AI, and cross-functional collaboration within a scientific laboratory environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Conducting supervised laboratory walkthroughs to develop and maintain an accurate inventory of automation systems, components, software, locations, system owners, operational status, and scientific use cases.
• Reconciling field observations with existing records and working with system owners to identify and resolve missing, duplicate, or inconsistent information.
• Learning automation platform purpose, operating sequences, inputs, outputs, interfaces, dependencies, and supporting scientific workflows through supervised shadowing.
• Collecting, reviewing, and organizing technical documentation, including equipment manuals, configuration records, setup instructions, deck layouts, integration notes, and service documentation.
• Applying consistent naming conventions and metadata to improve the organization, standardization, and searchability of automation-related information.
• Identifying and defining potential Large Language Model (LLM) use cases for record classification, metadata extraction, setup summarization, missing-data detection, and other knowledge-management needs.
• Documenting AI use-case objectives, intended users, data inputs, expected outputs, assumptions, risks, success criteria, and human-review requirements.
• Evaluating the feasibility of proposed LLM use cases using approved tools and verified information.
• Supporting automation system assessments, demonstrations, data cleanup, reporting, issue tracking, project coordination, and knowledge-transfer activities.
• Developing standardized automation system profiles and supporting the creation of an organized, searchable repository of equipment and technical information.
• Preparing project documentation and a final stakeholder presentation summarizing completed work, findings, identified gaps, and recommendations.
• Following applicable laboratory safety, EH&S, cybersecurity, data-handling, responsible AI, access-control, and equipment-specific requirements.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Microsoft productivity and collaboration tools: Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and/or Microsoft Teams.
• Laboratory automation systems: Interest or experience with laboratory automation systems, robotics, automation software, or scientific instrumentation.
• Data & Knowledge Management Tools: Experience using Excel, SharePoint, and Microsoft Teams to organize, review, or maintain technical information.
• AI & Emerging Technologies: Interest or experience with Large Language Models (LLMs), Generative AI, prompt design, or responsible AI.

Qualifications

• Completion of Undergraduate Freshman year at an accredited University is required.
• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Laboratory Automation, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Digital Systems, or related fields.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to organize, validate, reconcile, and document technical information accurately.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with scientific, engineering, automation, operations, and IT/Digital stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to learn unfamiliar laboratory equipment, software, terminology, and scientific workflows.
• Ability to manage priorities, track issues, and complete assigned activities within established timelines.
• Ability to work independently on assigned responsibilities while contributing effectively within a cross-functional team.
• Comfort working under supervision within laboratory environments.
• Willingness and ability to complete required laboratory safety, EH&S, cybersecurity, data-handling, responsible AI, and site-access training.
• Ability to follow established access controls, equipment-specific requirements, and applicable information-security and data-governance practices.
• Permanently authorized to work in the U.S., must not require sponsorship of an employment visa.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with automation system components, equipment interfaces, laboratory workflows, or scientific technology.
• Exposure to asset-management systems, service platforms, or technical equipment databases.
• Experience organizing or documenting technical systems, equipment, or workflows.
• Familiarity with data cleanup, data validation, reconciliation, metadata, record classification, or structured information management.
• Experience working with equipment documentation, manuals, configuration records, setup instructions, or other technical information.
• Interest or experience in knowledge management and improving the accessibility, consistency, and usability of technical information.
• Familiarity with using approved AI tools for activities such as information classification, metadata extraction, summarization, or missing-data identification.
• Understanding of the importance of data quality, information security, human review, and responsible use of AI-generated outputs.