Summer Intern - Pharmacogenomics Data Science & Genomic Prediction (VMRD)

Zoetis, Inc; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoetis, Inc. in Kalamazoo, MI, invites applications for a Pharmacogenomics Data Science & Genomic Prediction Intern. This role supports a dairy cattle pharmacogenomics project within PAH VMRD, mining health and genotype data, and defining treatment-response phenotypes for mastitis.

You will work with projection teams to develop proof-of-concept genomic prediction models and gain exposure to GWAS, mixed models, and ML approaches with strong mentorship and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program in Animal Science, Quantitative Genetics, Animal Breeding & Genomics, Bioinformatics, or related field.
• Experience with genomic data analysis, including GWAS and genomic prediction using mixed models.
• Proficiency in programming or statistics environments (R, Python, SAS) for large-scale data manipulation.

Responsibilities

• Extract, clean, and integrate clinical treatment records from dairy herd management systems and link to genotype data.
• Define and construct treatment-response phenotypes for mastitis and bovine respiratory disease.
• Evaluate SNP panels and sequence data to identify DNA markers for treatment outcomes.
• Develop and test genomic prediction models (GBLUP, BayesR, or ML) and estimate accuracy and heritability.

Skills

Genomic data analysis

Genomic prediction

GWAS

Mixed models

R

Python

SAS

Education

Master's or PhD in Animal Science/Quantitative Genetics/Animal Breeding & Genomics/Bioinformatics

Tools

Dairy Comp 305

Job description

PHARMACOGENOMICS DATA SCIENCE & GENOMIC PREDICTION INTERN

Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Internship Summary: Zoetis Precision Animal Health - Veterinary Medicine Research & Development (PAH VMRD) is seeking a summer intern to support a pharmacogenomic project, a novel platform exploring how genetic variation influences treatment response in livestock. The intern will work directly with the project team lead to mine and integrate dairy cattle health and treatment datasets, define treatment response phenotypes for mastitis, and develop proof-of-concept genomic prediction models contributing to a first-of-its-kind pharmacogenomic decision support system for animal health.

Internship Job Duties:

• Extract, clean, and integrate clinical treatment records and health event data from dairy herd management systems (e.g., Dairy Comp 305) and link with existing genotype data to build analysis-ready datasets.
• Define and construct treatment response phenotypes for mastitis/ bovine respiratory disease, including clinical cure, bacteriological cure, relapse, recurrence.
• Evaluate existing SNP panel and sequence data to identify DNA markers and candidate genomic regions with potential predictive value for mastitis/bovine respiratory disease treatment outcomes.
• Develop and test proof-of-concept genomic prediction models (e.g., GBLUP, BayesR, or machine learning approaches) for treatment response traits, including preliminary accuracy and heritability estimates.

Internship Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in a Master's or PhD program in Animal Science, Quantitative Genetics, Animal Breeding & Genomics, Bioinformatics, or a closely related field.
• Experience with genomic data analysis, including GWAS, genomic prediction, and/or variance component estimation using mixed models.
• Proficiency in at least one programming or statistical environment (R, Python, SAS, or equivalent) for large-scale data manipulation and analysis.
• Familiarity with livestock health data, dairy herd management systems, or genomic selection concepts is strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and present results to a cross-functional team.

The following hourly pay rates reflect the anticipated base pay for this position:

If the selected candidate is a student pursuing an Associate-level degree: $16.00 per hour

If the selected candidate is a student pursuing an Undergraduate-level degree: $22.00 per hour

If the selected candidate is a student pursing a Graduate-level degree: $32.50 per hour

If the selected candidate is a student pursuing a Doctorate-level degree: $36.00 per hour

The following hourly pay rates reflect the anticipated base pay for this position if a selected candidate were to be located in California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois (Chicago area), Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington (Seattle area):

Student pursuing an Associate-level degree: $17.00 per hour

Student pursuing an Undergraduate-level degree: $24.20 per hour

Student pursing a Graduate-level degree: $36.40 per hour

Student pursuing a Doctorate-level degree: $40.30 per hour

Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification. Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system. We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability. Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at [e-mail] to request an accommodation. Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis. Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers. Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact. Please note that Zoetis seeks information related to job applications from candidates for jobs in the U.S. solely via the following: (1) our company website at www.Zoetis.com/careers site, or (2) via email to/from addresses using only the Zoetis domain of "@zoetis.com". In addition, Zoetis will never ask candidates to make any type of personal financial investment related to gaining employment with Zoetis.