Process Development Intern

About the Role

• Temporary role with a third-party agency partner.
• 6-month experiential training program.
• Program Dates: January – July 2027.
• Full-time, paid co-op.
• Hourly Rate: $30.00 – $50.00 USD/hour.

Key Responsibilities

• Support product development, manufacturing, and laboratory research.
• Contribute to a high-impact cryopreservation process development project for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) drug product.
• Focus on establishing a cryo-microscopy workflow to evaluate CPA diffusion into islets and characterize islet responses.
• Integrate experimental imaging data with computational modeling to characterize CPA diffusion kinetics, inform formulation development, and optimize cryopreservation parameters.
• Establish a standardized cryo-microscopy workflow for real-time imaging of stem cell-derived islets during CPA loading, unloading, and controlled freeze/thaw cycles.
• Design and execute cryopreservation studies using selected CPA formulations and loading/unloading strategies.
• Develop an initial computational modeling framework to complement experimental cryo-microscopy data.
• Model the correlation between CPA diffusion kinetics, islet size and morphology, and cryopreservation process parameters.
• Integrate experimental and computational results to characterize CPA diffusion kinetics and islet response across formulations and process conditions.
• Use findings to identify promising CPA formulations and loading/unloading strategies and guide next steps for screening and cryopreservation process optimization.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Mammalian cell culture experience, including aseptic technique, routine cell culture handling, media preparation, and sample preparation.
• Cell cryopreservation knowledge and hands-on experience with cell freezing and thawing.
• Cell microscopy experience, including sample preparation, cell staining, image acquisition, and image-based evaluation.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with computational modeling approaches relevant to molecular dynamics, diffusion kinetics, or cryopreservation processes.
• Analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot experimental challenges, manage priorities, and maintain accurate documentation and attention to detail.
• Highly motivated and collaborative team player with strong communication skills and intellectual curiosity.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future.
• The company does not provide sponsorship for internships/co-ops.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a graduate degree (PhD and Master’s are preferred); or undergraduate degree in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemical or Biochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Computational Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience with stem cells or stem cell-derived products is preferred.
• Experience with cell aggregates, spheroids, organoids, or other three-dimensional cell systems is a plus.
• Experience with cryo-microscopy is a plus.
• You must be enrolled in an advanced degree program if graduating before June 2027.