Space Pharma Lab Internship: Crystallization & Biophysics

Varda Space Industries; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Commuter benefit

Job summary

Varda Space Industries in Los Angeles, CA, offers a Summer Intern position in the pharma team. You will assist with experimental screening and analysis of small molecules or biologics crystallization, gaining hands-on experience at the intersection of pharmaceutical chemistry, materials science, and process design.

Ideal candidates are enrolled in an accredited bachelor’s or graduate program, have lab experience beyond coursework, and are motivated to work in a fast-paced, rigorous environment

Qualifications

• 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 PPE, and maintaining a lab notebook.
• Desire to contribute in a technically complex, fast-moving environment with a passion for space applications.

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 using orthogonal analytical techniques.
• Conduct crystallization screening of protein and protein complexes.
• Scale-up crystallization processes.
• Report findings to the broader R&D team and help optimize conditions.

Skills

Lab experience

Chemistry background

Crystallization

Python

Education

Chemistry or related discipline

Tools

SDS-PAGE

cIEF

Crystallization

Job description

Varda Space Industries in Los Angeles, CA, offers a Summer Intern position in the pharma team. You will assist with experimental screening and analysis of small molecules or biologics crystallization, gaining hands-on experience at the intersection of pharmaceutical chemistry, materials science, and process design.

Ideal candidates are enrolled in an accredited bachelor’s or graduate program, have lab experience beyond coursework, and are motivated to work in a fast-paced, rigorous environment