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

Zoetis Spain SL; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 22,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Zoetis is seeking a Pharmacogenomics Data Science & Genomic Prediction Intern in Kalamazoo, MI, to mine dairy cattle health data, define mastitis treatment phenotypes, and develop genomic prediction models for treatment response. You will collaborate with PAH VMRD and project leadership to create a first-of-its-kind pharmacogenomic decision support system for animal health.

The role involves handling clinical records, genotype data, and SNP/sequence analyses; strong programming and communication

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.

Responsibilities

• Extract, clean, and integrate clinical treatment records and health event data from dairy herd management systems and link with genotype data to build analysis-ready datasets.
• Define and construct treatment response phenotypes for mastitis and bovine respiratory disease.
• Evaluate SNP panel and sequence data to identify DNA markers and genomic regions with predictive value for treatment outcomes.
• Develop and test proof-of-concept genomic prediction models (GBLUP, BayesR, ML) for treatment response traits and report preliminary accuracy and heritability.

Skills

Genomic data analysis

GWAS

Genomic prediction

Variance components estimation

R/Python/SAS programming

Education

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

Tools

R

Python

SAS

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.

Hourly Pay Rates

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

• For the selected candidate is a student pursuing an Associate-level degree: $16.00 per hour
• For the selected candidate is a student pursuing an Undergraduate-level degree: $22.00 per hour
• For the selected candidate is a student pursing a Graduate-level degree: $32.50 per hour
• For 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.

At Zoetis, our purpose is to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. As a Fortune 500 company and the world leader in animal health, we discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other technologies for companion animals and livestock. We know our people drive our success. Our award-winning culture, built around our Core Beliefs, focuses on our colleagues’ careers, connection and support.

We offer competitive healthcare and retirement savings benefits, along with an array of benefits, policies and programs to support employee well-being in every sense, from health and financial wellness to family and lifestyle resources.