Intern- Process Development

Asklepios BioPharmaceutical, Inc. (AskBio) • Durham, NC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

AskBio Inc., a wholly owned and independently operated subsidiary of Bayer AG, is a fully integrated gene therapy company dedicated to developing life-saving medicines and changing lives. The company maintains a portfolio of clinical programs across a range of neuromuscular, central nervous system, cardiovascular, and metabolic disease indications with a clinical-stage pipeline that includes investigational therapeutics for congestive heart failure, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, multiple system atrophy, Parkinson’s disease, and Pompe disease. AskBio’s gene therapy platform includes Pro10™, an industry-leading proprietary cell line manufacturing process, and an extensive array of capsids and promoters. With global headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and European headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland, the company has generated hundreds of proprietary capsids and promoters, several of which have entered pre-clinical and clinical testing. Our vision: Pioneering science to create transformative molecular medicines. Our mission: Lead innovative science and drive clinical outcomes to transform people's lives. Our principles: Advance innovative science by pushing boundaries. Bring transformative therapeutics to patients in need. Provide an environment for employees to reach their fullest potential. Our values: Be a Pioneer. We are not afraid of the impossible and to innovate to make gene therapies accessible to those in need. Cultivate Collaboration. Strive to be the best teammate, actively listen, openly communicate, and embrace diverse points of view. Embrace Responsibility. We are humbled by the enormity of our mission. We hold a relentless commitment to advance science and clinical outcomes for our patients, families, and caregivers. Raise the Bar. Continuously drive improvements and efficiencies. Seek and provide constructive feedback. Have a bias for learning and action. Act with Uncompromising Integrity. Be honest, transparent, and committed to doing what’s right in every situation. Make clear commitments and follow through. Position Summary The Process Development intern will help utilize a high-throughput screening method to optimize upstream transfection conditions for rAAV production. The applicant will aseptically culture mammalian cells at small scale platforms such as shake flasks. The applicant will help screen transfection conditions to improve rAAV productivity. The Intern, Process Development’s responsibilities will include aseptically culturing the mammalian cells in different cell culture platforms, transfecting, harvesting transfected cells, and running characterization assays to fundamentally understand the transfection process. The candidate is expected to have prior experience with aseptic techniques, general lab techniques such as pipetting and preparing solutions. Additionally, the intern will be responsible for analyzing data and reporting results. The intern will be expected to give a formal presentation at the end of their internship tenure. This intern will be based on site in RTP, NC and will report to a Research Associate in Process Development.

Requirements

• Must be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science field (Chemical or Biological Engineering, Biology, Biomanufacturing, Biotech, Biochemistry major and/or cell culture experience preferred)
• Must be at least a sophomore in university at the time of your application
• Required aseptic technique and pipetting experience
• Proficient with MS Office Suite and ability to learn new software quickly
• Available to work full-time in person at RTP lab during summer months (May-August) at an AskBio office

Nice To Haves

• Prior internship, work, or volunteer/extracurricular experience preferred
• Knowledge of suspension mammalian cell culture, benchtop bioreactor operation, transfection (transient or stable), gene therapy viral vector production, and cell flow cytometry
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong sense of accountability, organization skills, record keeping skills and ability to prioritize multiple tasks (with strong attention to detail)
• Proactive and solution-driven mindset

Responsibilities

• Learn fundamentals of cell culture, vector production, transfection, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) principles and other related subjects from training material
• Use aseptic techniques to culture HEK cells at small scale platforms (shake flask)
• Use good lab practices to prepare salt and buffer solutions through titrations
• Conduct viral vector production in small-scale cell culture models
• Learn & operate DLS and Flow Cytometer plate readers
• Attention to detail. Communicate findings and assist with data modelling
• Present findings and accomplishments in a formal presentation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees