Internship - Rare Disease Research

About the Department                                                                                                                                             

Our Boston Research & Development hub, anchored in the greater Boston area, brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown and Cambridge reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. Here, we are building for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas. We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our greater Boston R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients.

 

The Program

At Novo Nordisk, interns will have the opportunity to work closely with experienced industry professionals and gain valuable, hands-on, full-time work experience.   For ten weeks, interns will be immersed in the environment of a global pharmaceutical company and contribute to the line of business by providing sustainable and meaningful project work.  Our internship program also includes instructor led trainings, a leadership engagement series, and a guided mentorship program to offer professional and personal development. 

Program Start: June 3rd, 2024.

Program End: August 9th, 2024.

 

Scope of Position

Sickle cell disease (SCD) results in the pre-mature hemolysis or destruction of red blood cells. Chronic red cell hemolysis releases large amounts of free heme that in turn drives systemic oxidative stress and inflammation. As a consequence, patient with sick cell disease are often debilitated with pain and have a shortened life expectancy of 50 years. End-stage organ damage is the primary cause of death. We are working to develop a drug that protects SCD patients from organ damage by reducing the chronic inflammation and oxidative stress associated with hemolysis.

The intern will utilize both genetic and small molecule tools to establish cellular models that can be utilized to develop a drug that protects SCD patients from organ damage. A combination of molecular techniques for measuring gene expression and protein such as quantitative PCR, luciferase assays, and western blot will be used to validate the cellular models described above. Lastly, functional proof of concept students utilizing such techniques as fluorescence microscopy and microfluidic assays will be utilized to gauge the potential benefit of novel anti-inflammatory and oxidant small molecule drugs to SCD patients.

The key goal is for the intern to be exposed to the early stages of drug discovery. The intern can also look forward to learning new experimental techniques, experimental design, and how to package and present data for regular internal scientific meetings.

 

Physical Requirements

• 0% overnight travel required.

 

Qualifications

• Must be a current student enrolled or recently graduated (graduation date no earlier than April 2024) at/from an accredited college or university pursuing at least a bachelor’s degree.
• A completed or in progress Bachelors degree in Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, or a related discipline preferred.
• Strong academic record with a preferred cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Conscientious self-starter with good organizational skills, project management skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to balance multiple projects and priorities, must be able to multi-task.
• Strong interpersonal communication and ability to collaborate with teams; must effectively operate independently, across functional lines, and with internal customers.
• Demonstrated personal initiative, self-motivation, flexibility, adaptability and willingness to learn.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

At this time, Novo Nordisk is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future would require sponsorship for employment visa status.

 

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

 

At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changi