2026 Summer Intern | Pharmaceutical Development

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland, Ionis has been at work for more than three decades discovering medical breakthroughs that have redefined life for people with serious diseases. We’re pioneers in RNA-targeted medicines, and our platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs.  With multiple marketed medicines and a leading pipeline in neurology, cardiology and select areas of high patient needs, we continue to drive innovation in RNA therapies in addition to advancing new approaches in gene editing to provide greater value to patients and are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.

At Ionis, we pride ourselves on cultivating a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment that fosters innovation and scientific excellence. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees. 

With an unprecedented opportunity to change the course of human health, we look to add diverse individuals, skill sets and perspectives to our exceptional team. We continue to invest time, money and energy into making our onsite, hybrid and remote work environments a place where solid and lasting relationships are built and where our culture and employees can thrive. 

We’re building on our rich history, and we believe our greatest achievements are ahead of us. If you’re passionate about the opportunity to have meaningful impact on patients in need, we invite you to apply and join us. Experience and contribute to our unique culture while you develop and expand your career!

 

Pharmaceutical Development

Summary:

Ionis is offering a Summer Internship within our Pharmaceutical Development team for a motivated student interested in drug formulation, chemistry, and data driven research. This role provides hands on experience supporting the development of oligonucleotide-based medicines, including antisense oligonucleotides and siRNA therapeutics.
The intern will work closely with an experienced scientist mentor on a research project focused on understanding how formulation components such as drug chemistry, pH, and buffering systems affect drug product performance. This internship is designed to help students connect classroom learning to real world pharmaceutical development while building strong technical and professional skills.

What You Will Do

• Conduct laboratory experiments to evaluate formulation properties such as pH and buffer capacity
• Assist with experimental planning, sample preparation, and data collection
• Analyze and interpret experimental data using basic modeling and data analysis tools
• Learn how formulation decisions impact drug stability, quality, and patient experience
• Prepare summaries and presentations to share findings with the project team
• Collaborate with scientists across Pharmaceutical Development and related functions

What You Will Learn

• Fundamentals of pharmaceutical formulation and drug product development
• How chemistry and molecular properties influence drug stability and performance
• Practical experience with experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication
• Exposure to the research and development environment within a biotech company
• Professional skills through mentorship, teamwork, and presentations

Who Should Apply

Required Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in a bachelors, masters, or doctoral program in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, or a related field
• Completion of general and organic chemistry coursework or equivalent
• Strong interest in pharmaceutical or biotech research
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a laboratory setting

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework or experience in organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, or pharmaceutics
• Familiarity with pH, buffers, or acid base chemistry
• Experience with data analysis tools such as Excel, JMP, Graphpad Prism
• Curiosity, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for learning

Program Highlights:

• The program is designed to complement a student’s undergraduate and/or graduate studies with relevant, hands-on industry experience
• Ionis offers paid positions
• Weekly stipend (for onsite students only)
• Professional Networking
• End-of-program project presentations
• Housing/Travel assistance available for eligible, out-of-area interns
• Networking and bonding social events
• Interaction with diverse and motivated teams/departments