Early Vaccine & Immune Therapies Summer Intern

We are seeking sophomore, junior, master, and PhD-level students majoring in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Virology, Bacteriology, Vaccinology, or related fields for a 12-Week Student Intern role in Gaithersburg, MD for a May 19th - August 8th contract period.

Position Duties:

This posting has seven openings for the below projects:

Viral vaccine project:

• Maintain mammalian cell culture for viral reverse genetics system.
• Support reverse genetics experiments.
• Titer rescued viruses and confirm viral sequences.
• Summarize and present research findings to team.

Viral vaccine project:

• Design and clone mRNA vaccine constructs.
• In vitro testing of mRNA vaccine constructs using ELISA.
• In vitro testing of mRNA vaccine constructs using flow cytometry
• Summarize and present research findings to team.

Assessing protein and nucleic acid delivery of multi-specific VHHs targeting influenza virus hemagglutinin project:

• Perform assays to assess binding and neutralization activity of antiviral single domain antibodies.
• Compile and analyze data to help drive program decisions.
• Summarize and present research findings to team.

Bacterial vaccines project:

• Bacterial culturing to optimize for in vitro assays.
• Tissue culture differentiation and maintenance to support testing.
• In vitro assay design and analysis for evaluation of candidate vaccines.
• Summarize and present research findings to team.

Translational bacteriology project:

• Perform laboratory work to gain an understanding of the total binding antibodies and their activity in healthy and patient samples against K. pneumoniae.
• Investigate potential drug interference in patient samples.
• Summarize and present research findings to team.

Influenza virus research project:

• Inventory and generation of influenza assay reagents to support screening activities.
• Expand screening capabilities through propagation, titer, and sequence of authentic viruses and pseudo-typed viruses.
• Screening and characterization of candidate antibodies for target downselection.
• Summarize and present research findings to team.

Bacterial vaccine discovery project:

• Determine ELISA and SBA titer of immune sera to various vaccine antigens.
• Explore serotypes of bacterial clinical isolates using blots and arrays.
• Screen vaccine antigens to establish new antigen specific detection reagents.
• Summarize and present research findings to team.

Position Requirements:

• Sophomore, junior, master, or PhD-level student majoring in Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Immunology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Virology, Bacteriology, Vaccinology, or a related field. **Candidates must have an expected graduation date after August 2025.
• Wet lab skills such as cell cultures, ELISA, Western Blot, bacterial culturing,flow cytometry, functional assays, influenza assays, sequencing, proper aseptic and pipetting techniques, molecular techniques (PCR, cloning, etc.), handling live viruses, etc.
• Experience with automation (Biomek) is a plus.
• Coursework in biology, biochemistry, and/or molecular biology.
• GraphPad Prism exposure is a plus.
• Proficiency in MS Office: Excel, PowerPoint, Word
• Enthusiasm for collaboration, cross-functional projects, public speaking, and presentation design.
• US Work Authorization is required at time of application.
• This role will not be providing OPT support.
• Ability to report onsite to Gaithersburg, MD five days a week. This role will not provide relocation assistance.
• Minimum grade point average of 3.0.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.