Summer Intern, Mechanistic Pharmacology

The Position

The Mechanistic Pharmacology Intern – RNAi Mechanisms & Functional Genomics will support discovery research at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals by contributing to fundamental studies aimed at understanding the cellular mechanisms that drive the activity of Arrowhead’s proprietary RNAi therapeutic platform (TRiM). This internship provides hands-on exposure to cutting-edge laboratory and computational approaches used to interrogate RNAi biology, pharmacodynamics, and gene knockdown mechanisms. The intern will work closely with experienced scientists on defined research projects that generate insights critical to drug development and discovery strategy.

This is an 11-week Summer Internship Program paying $21.00 per hour and requires full-time, onsite work five days per week at the designated location.

Responsibilities

• Complete onboarding activities including shadowing team members, skill assessments, learning core laboratory techniques, and reviewing foundational scientific background.
• Execute one of two predefined research projects within the Mechanistic Pharmacology group.
• Support execution of a CRISPR-based screening project to identify cellular pathways and factors that enable productive RNAi-mediated target gene knockdown, including analysis and validation of screening hits.
• Support studies investigating the relationship between cellular uptake, RISC loading, and mRNA degradation activity to better understand RNAi pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
• Learn and apply laboratory methodologies fundamental to Mechanistic Pharmacology research, including:
  • Tissue culture
  • Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
  • siRNA and plasmid transfection
  • Protein biochemistry and analysis
  • Confocal and live-cell fluorescence microscopy
  • Flow cytometry
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data using tools such as GraphPad Prism, FACSDiva, FlowJo, Design and Analysis (Thermo Fisher), CellProfiler, ZEN Suite, ImageJ/FIJI, Microsoft Excel, and Benchling.
• Read and critically evaluate primary scientific literature to contribute to hypothesis generation and data interpretation.
• Present project updates in weekly group meetings.
• Prepare final deliverables, including a scientific poster and a ~20-minute presentation summarizing project objectives, results, and learnings.

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited university or college and majoring in a scientific discipline such as Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Genetics, or a related scientific discipline.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including comfort presenting in group settings.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs.
• Willingness and ability to spend 75% of the workday walking the facility and 25% at a desk.

Preferred:

• Fundamental understanding of cell biology and biochemical principles.
• Previous laboratory experience and familiarity with basic lab techniques.
• Curiosity, enthusiasm for discovery science, and willingness to learn new approaches and techniques.