R&D Laboratory Intern – Vaccines Technical Development - Fort Dodge, IA (Summer 2027)

Elanco • Fort Dodge, IA

9d • $20 - $40 • Onsite

About The Position

The R&D Laboratory Intern will support Elanco’s Vaccines Technical Development organization at its Fort Dodge, Iowa site by conducting hands-on laboratory work for new and existing animal health products. The intern will own an innovative project on the Analytical Development Team and collaborate with scientists to design and conduct experiments, generate and interpret data, and contribute to robust in vitro assay development for companion and/or farm animals.

The role includes preparing laboratory materials, operating relevant instrumentation, troubleshooting and optimizing procedures, documenting work rigorously, and communicating progress and results to supervisors and cross-functional stakeholders. The internship concludes with an oral presentation of project objectives, methods, results, and key learnings to R&D colleagues and the intern community. It is a project-based, 100% on-site summer internship in Fort Dodge, Iowa, scheduled for May 17 through August 6, 2027. Travel is 0%.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a STEM degree-seeking program in a field such as chemistry, biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical science, molecular biology, microbiology, biomedical engineering, or a related field.
• Pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or PhD degree.
• Must return to a degree-seeking program for the fall semester following the internship.
• Hands-on laboratory experience gained through independent research, teaching labs, or a prior internship.
• Comfort working at the bench, including pipetting, solution preparation, aseptic technique, and basic instrumentation.
• Ability to follow written protocols.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint for data organization, analysis, and presentation.
• Scientific curiosity, interest in innovation, learning agility, and willingness to acquire techniques and concepts quickly.
• Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in teams and communicate clearly with technical and non-technical colleagues.

Nice To Haves

• Expected graduation between December 2027 and August 2028, with intention to enter industry after completing the degree.
• More than one semester of sustained STEM research laboratory experience in an academic, industry, internship, or co-op setting, with demonstrated technical growth.
• Analytical development skills, such as chromatography, bioassay, or ELISA.
• Hands-on experience with biologics such as proteins, peptides, or monoclonal antibodies; mammalian cell culture; or molecular biology techniques.
• Familiarity with statistical or data analysis tools such as R, JMP, Python, or Minitab, and/or data management systems.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team with appropriate supervision.
• Demonstrated interest in animal health, sustainability, veterinary medicine, or data-driven approaches to R&D.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present scientific results clearly.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced research environment.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct hands-on R&D laboratory experiments in accordance with established safety protocols and guidelines.
• Prepare solutions, reagents, media, and test articles, and operate relevant instrumentation.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, summarize findings, and propose next steps with the supervisor and project team.
• Perform laboratory work under appropriate supervision, including troubleshooting and optimizing experimental procedures.
• Recommend experimental design, instrumentation, or process improvements to enhance robustness, efficiency, or scalability.
• Participate in regular check-ins and present progress and results to the supervisor and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Document experimental plans, procedures, and results in laboratory notebooks while maintaining data integrity.
• Deliver an oral presentation summarizing project objectives, methods, results, and key learnings to R&D colleagues and the intern community.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of $20–$40 per hour, dependent on major and year in school.
• Professional development through networking events, assigned mentors, and learning resources.
• Financial support and help securing housing.
• High-performing interns may be considered for full-time roles or additional internships, based on business needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed