Pharmaceutical Lab Internship (Crystallization) Spring 2026

Varda Space Industries • El Segundo, CA

110d

About The Position

Spring internships will range between the months of January and May. All dates dependent upon the university schedule of the selected students. Internships are full-time and on-site in Los Angeles, CA. At Varda, interns are trusted contributors in mission-critical work. As part of the pharma team, you will work hands-on with our team to support the experimental screening and analysis of small molecule or biologic crystallization. You will gain meaningful experience working at the intersection of pharmaceutical chemistry, materials science, and experimental process design. This internship is best suited for highly motivated students with prior research or lab experience in crystallization. You'll be part of a fast-paced, rigorous environment that values precision, scientific curiosity, and teamwork. Internships at Varda are optimal for students looking to grow technically and professionally while working on impactful projects critical to the company’s success. You will be working on a collaborative team in a startup environment while being able to learn from some of the most accomplished and experienced aerospace professionals in the world. We’re dedicated to providing an experience that will let your decisions and contributions help drive Varda’s success.

Requirements

• Pursuing PhD from an accredited college or university in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Biology, or Biomedical Engineering, or similar physical and life sciences or engineering degrees.
• At least 3 months of basic laboratory experience outside of a classroom including safe handling of chemicals, proper use of personal protective equipment, and maintaining a laboratory notebook.
• Demonstrated ability to execute experiments with practical hands-on skills in a lab (e.g. conducting chemical synthesis, clean room nanofabrication, crystallization, or analytical characterization in a research lab, previous internships, Research Experiences for Undergrads (REUs) or co-op experiences).
• Desire to make your mark in a technically complex and fast-moving environment, with a passion for expanding what we can do in space!

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with pharmaceutical crystallization
• Coursework in Math & Physics: Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Heat/Mass Transfer
• Coursework in Chemistry: Organic Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Kinetics, Spectroscopy
• Lab Techniques: Synthetic chemistry (IR, Mass Spec, HNMR), distillations, separations
• Exposure to programming or data analysis (Python, statistical tools)
• Preference for students attending or planning to attend R1 research universities

Responsibilities

• Conduct crystallization screening of small molecules or biologics
• Set up reactors, beakers, or vessels with test materials
• Perform experimental measurements and analyze results
• Report findings clearly to the broader R&D team
• Help optimize crystallization conditions through iterative testing

Benefits

• Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side
• Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)
• 401(k) matching (interns excluded)
• Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)
• Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
• Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
• Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees