Discovery Chemistry
Summer Intern, Biochemistry
Office Location: San Diego, CA
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARWR) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.
Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates.
Arrowhead’s corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI. Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need.
The Position
The Biochemistry Intern will support drug discovery efforts at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals by contributing to laboratory-based process improvement projects that help accelerate drug development. This internship offers hands-on experience performing experiments and supporting workflows that enable faster discovery of new drug candidates and therapeutic platforms. The intern will work as an integral member of a multidisciplinary research team and gain practical exposure to molecular biology, protein science, and laboratory operations in a pharmaceutical research environment.
This is an 11-week Summer Internship Program paying $24.00 per hour and requires full-time, onsite work five days per week at the designated location.
Responsibilities
- Design and support plasmid constructs and perform DNA preparation.
- Perform mammalian cell culture, including protein and antibody expression and purification.
- Conduct protein and antibody characterization and validation using molecular biology techniques.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date experimental records in a laboratory notebook.
- Support process improvement experiments aimed at increasing efficiency and speed in drug discovery workflows.
- Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary research team to support project goals.
- Follow established laboratory procedures, safety guidelines, and quality standards.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled student at an accredited university or college, majoring in Chemistry, Engineering, Biology, or a related scientific discipline.
- Basic knowledge of ELISA, molecular biology techniques, and protein expression and purification.
- Interest in drug discovery, process development, or biotechnology research.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Demonstrated eagerness to learn new laboratory techniques.
- Curiosity, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for hands-on experimental science.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks or projects.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package.
All applicants must have authorization to work in the US for a company.