Pharmaceutical Lab Internship (Crystallization) Summer 2027

Varda Space•El Segundo, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Varda is seeking a pharmaceutical lab intern to join its pharma team for a summer internship. The internship runs between May and August, with dates dependent on the selected students’ university schedules. It is full-time and on-site in Los Angeles, California. Candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program. The intern will contribute to experimental screening and analysis of small-molecule or biologic crystallization, working at the intersection of pharmaceutical chemistry, materials science, and experimental process design. The role involves hands-on laboratory work in a fast-paced, rigorous startup environment and collaboration with the broader R&D team. Interns are trusted with mission-critical work and are encouraged to make meaningful contributions to Varda’s success.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in an accredited bachelor's or graduate degree program in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or a similar physical or life science or engineering field.
At least 3 months of basic laboratory experience outside a classroom, including safe chemical handling, proper use of personal protective equipment, and maintaining a laboratory notebook.
Demonstrated hands-on ability to execute laboratory experiments, such as chemical synthesis, clean-room nanofabrication, crystallization, or analytical characterization in a research lab, internship, REU, or co-op.
Motivation to contribute in a technically complex, fast-moving environment and passion for expanding what can be done in space.
Must be a U.S. person, as defined in the posting, to access export-controlled technology.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with pharmaceutical crystallization.
Coursework in multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and heat/mass transfer.
Coursework in organic chemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, and spectroscopy.
Experience with synthetic chemistry laboratory techniques, including IR, mass spectrometry, HNMR, distillations, and separations.
Exposure to programming or data analysis, such as Python or statistical tools.
Familiarity with one or more biophysical characterization techniques: DLS, nanoDSF, SEC, CD, or capillary electrophoresis.
Background in protein formulation, biologics drug product development, or protein biochemistry.

Responsibilities

Perform purification of proteins and protein complexes.
Conduct purity and charge-variant analysis using SDS-PAGE and capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF).
Assess protein integrity before and after freeze-drying stress.
Perform biophysical characterization of protein candidates using orthogonal analytical techniques to assess structure, stability, and interaction behavior.
Conduct crystallization screening of proteins and protein complexes.
Scale up crystallization processes.
Clearly report findings to the broader R&D team.
Help optimize crystallization conditions through iterative testing.