PNRI Summer Undergraduate Research Internship

The Pacific Northwest Research Institute (PNRI) Summer Undergraduate Research Internship (SURI) is a research-intensive 9-week program for undergraduate students who have an interest in pursuing a career in the biomedical sciences and who have completed at least one year of study at a university or college. Interns will work on a research project within the laboratory of their primary mentor and will present their work as a short talk at our annual Intern Research Symposium. As a group, the interns will participate in additional scientific, career development, and social activities.

Students who identify as African American, Hispanic, Native American, Southeast Asian, Native Alaskan or Native Pacific Islander or another group historically excluded from the sciences OR who are from low-income homes OR who are the first in their family to attend college OR who attend two-year colleges or small liberal arts institutions without broad research facilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

PNRI labs hosting interns this summer:

The Carvalho Lab applies state-of-the-art molecular sequencing technologies to investigate the genome of individuals with rare diseases. Our goal is to investigate disease-specific genomic alterations to understand how they contribute to disease expression and the mechanisms underlying DNA variation formation. Students will learn human genetics and analysis of next-generation sequencing data in the context of diseases. Potential projects will allow interns to learn and use various technologies and methodologies to study the structure of the genome.

The Dudley Lab studies how naturally occurring genetic variation leads to the stunning array of phenotypic diversity that we see on the planet. As an undergraduate intern in our lab, you will use a combination of classic microbiology, modern genomics, and high throughput robotics to discover which mutations in human genes could cause disease. Potential projects will focus on genes that cause rare childhood diseases in which rapid diagnosis can positively impact a patient's health outcome.

The McLaughlin Lab studies genome evolution with a particular interest in the evolutionary arms race between our genomes and pathogens like viruses and transposons. As an undergraduate intern in our lab, you will use a combination of molecular and computational biology to explore how our innate immune genes evolve to stop pathogens and the diseases that result when our immune system falters. Potential projects will focus on studying new genes that contribute to our ability to prevent disease and how pathogen replication could drive autoimmune disease.

The Metzger Lab studies a transmissible cancer in clams in which the cancer cells themselves jump from animal to animal through the environment. As an undergraduate intern in our lab, you will use a combination of experimental and computational techniques to grow clam cancer cells in the lab, analyze cancer genomes, and detect cancer-specific DNA in seawater. Potential projects will focus on understanding how cancer can evolve and how host animals can become resistant to it.

By participating in this internship, you will:

• Conduct scientific research in a biomedical research lab
• Participate in scientific seminars, journal clubs, and career development activities
• Interact with scientists from a variety of different disciplines, including genetics, evolutionary biology, engineering, medicine, and computer science
• Learn about a wide range of career options in the fields of science, math, engineering, and medicine
• Present the results of your research to your peers and colleagues

Qualifications:

• Must be a current college student, entering their second or later year in 2025.
• Must have a strong interest in science, medicine, math, or engineering
• Must be able to commit 30 hours per week for a minimum of nine (9) consecutive weeks between Monday, June 9 and Friday, August 15, 2025. Specific dates will be determined with consideration to each student’s academic calendar and their host lab’s availability

How to apply:

Applications are accepted from January 17, 2025 to February 28, 2025 and will be reviewed upon receipt, with interviews conducted (via Zoom) in early March 2025.

Please submit the following items via the PNRI application portal:

• Résumé, which should include a brief description of the science, math, and computer science classes you have taken
• One-page statement describing 1) how participation in the internship will enhance your education and career goals; 2) which lab(s) most interest(s) you and why

We encourage applicants to review our “Tips for Submitting a Quality Application" on our SURI page, linked to when you click the apply button.

Interns will receive an hourly equivalent rate of $20.76 per hour for 30 hours of work per week for nine (9) weeks.

Interns are responsible for all costs associated with their travel to Seattle, local housing for the duration of the program, and meals. PNRI will provide a free ORCA card for local public transportation to each intern. Housing is available through the University of Washington’s Seattle Intern Housing Program and may be available through Seattle University.

If you have questions, please email suri@pnri.org.

About PNRI:

PNRI is an independent, nonprofit, biomedical research institute with a distinguished history of contributing scientific advances to improve health in a variety of disease areas. PNRI is committed to creating a diverse environment and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.