Microbiology and Biofilm Research Intern

About Selene

Selene Nanorobotics is developing microrobotic technology for medical applications, beginning with dental biofilm disruption and root canal disinfection.

About the Role

Working with scientific collaborators and a qualified laboratory supervisor, you will support an early biological pilot using hydroxyapatite (HA) discs. You will help establish reliable assay methods, carry out approved experiments, measure viable bacterial burden, and document findings that inform further treatment development. This role involves on-site laboratory work in San Diego. The anticipated commitment is approximately three months, with a part-time schedule and start date agreed before placement.

Key Responsibilities

• Support approved E. faecalis biofilm experiments on HA discs, including microrobot treatment and control/reference groups.
• Assist with assay qualification, including reproducible biofilm establishment, antimicrobial neutralization, bacterial recovery, and contamination controls.
• Perform colony-forming unit (CFU) measurements under approved standard operating procedures; organize raw counts, dilution calculations, detection limits, and results.
• Maintain clear laboratory records linking robot lots, formulation versions, specimen identities, experimental conditions, and deviations.
• Support planned pilot iterations and repeat experiments; record observations of formulation behavior and visible gas formation.
• Help maintain consumable and equipment inventories, prepare concise weekly updates, and contribute to a final methods-and-results summary.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, bioengineering, biomedical science, or a related discipline.
• Prior hands-on microbiology laboratory experience, including aseptic technique, bacterial culture, and viable plate counting.
• Careful experimental documentation and basic spreadsheet or data-analysis skills.
• Ability to follow approved procedures, recognize unexpected results, and communicate questions promptly.
• Reliable on-site availability, clear communication, and consistent follow-through.
• Experience with biofilm assays, antimicrobial testing, BSL-2 laboratory work, microscopy, or ImageJ is helpful.
• Graduate students and advanced undergraduates with relevant bench experience are particularly encouraged to apply.

Learning & Development

You will develop skills in biofilm quantification, assay qualification, reproducible experimentation, and interpretation of early biomedical research through supervised laboratory work and regular technical feedback. An agreed learning project may produce a documented assay workflow, an organized pilot dataset, and a methods-and-results summary.

Student Participation & Academic Credit

Academic credit is not guaranteed and depends on university and departmental approval. Selene will support approved placements through learning objectives, supervision, and required evaluations. Laboratory work will begin only after host-site access, required training, and qualified on-site supervision are confirmed.

How to Apply

Complete our internship application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTLsOH-as_0BA_WXMaRvCZk9jL3F-QdQikQXQZXKot0KnAMg/viewform