Pharmaceutical Lab Internship Summer 2027

About the Role

Summer internships will range between the months of May and August. All dates dependent upon the university schedule of the selected students. Internships are full-time and on-site in Los Angeles, CA. To be considered for this internship, candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program.

At Varda, interns are trusted contributors in mission-critical work. As a part of the pharma team, you will work hands-on with our team to support the experimental screening and analysis of small molecule or biologic crystallization. You will gain meaningful experience working at the intersection of pharmaceutical chemistry, materials science, and experimental process design.

This internship is best suited for highly motivated students with prior research or lab experience in crystallization. You'll be part of a fast-paced, rigorous environment that values precision, scientific curiosity, and teamwork.

Internships at Varda are optimal for students looking to grow technically and professionally while working on impactful projects critical to the company’s success. You will be working on a collaborative team in a startup environment while being able to learn from some of most accomplished and experienced aerospace professionals in the world.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform purification of protein and protein complexes
• Conduct purity and charge variant analysis via SDS-PAGE and capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF)
• Assess protein integrity before and after freeze-drying stress.
• Perform biophysical characterization of protein candidates using orthogonal analytical techniques to assess structure, stability, and interaction behavior
• Conduct crystallization screening of protein and protein complexes
• Scale-up crystallization processes
• Report findings clearly to the broader R&D team
• Help optimize crystallization conditions through iterative testing

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Currently enrolled in an accredited bachelor's or graduate degree program in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Biology, or Biomedical Engineering, or similar physical and life sciences or engineering degrees.
• At least 3 months of basic laboratory experience outside of a classroom including safe handling of chemicals, proper use of personal protective equipment, and maintaining a laboratory notebook. Demonstrated ability to execute experiments with practical hands-on skills in a lab (e.g. conducting chemical synthesis, clean room nanofabrication, crystallization, or analytical characterization in a research lab, previous internships, Research Experiences for Undergrads (REUs) or co-op experiences).
• Desire to make your mark in a technically complex and fast-moving environment, with a passion for expanding what we can do in space!

Qualifications

• Familiarity with pharmaceutical crystallization
• Coursework in:
• Math & Physics: Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Heat/Mass Transfer
• Chemistry: Organic Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Kinetics, Spectroscopy
• Lab Techniques: Synthetic chemistry (IR, Mass Spec, HNMR), distillations, separations
• Exposure to programming or data analysis (Python, statistical tools)
• Familiarity with one or more of the listed biophysical characterization techniques (DLS, nanoDSF, SEC, CD, or capillary electrophoresis)
• Background in protein formulation, biologics drug product development, or protein biochemistry

Compensation

• Hourly Rate : $33.00
• Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area
• Commuter benefit to support local transportation

ITAR Requirements

• Only hire “U.S. persons” who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.
• “US person” means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).