Neurodivergent Co-op, Neurovascular In Vivo Recording

Company Description

This internship role is part of the Limitless @ Biogen program; the summer co-op for neurodiverse college students. ‘Neurodiversity’ includes neurological differences such as autism spectrum, ADHD and dyslexia. Applicants will not be asked for documentation or proof of neurodiversity, unless requesting an ADA accommodation. Limitless @ Biogen provides support for managers and interns throughout the 6-month co-op.

At Biogen, our mission is clear - we are pioneers in neuroscience. Biogen discovers, develops, and delivers worldwide innovative therapies for people living with serious neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Together, our employees create, commercialize, and manufacture transformative therapies for our patient population. 

As an intern or co-op at Biogen, you can expect to be placed on a real project, under the guidance of experience professionals and subject matter experts who are invested in your career and academic growth. We also ensure that you have plenty of opportunities to build your network, learn more about our organization through weekly lunch and learns led by leaders from across the company, and join us for several fun events.

Job Description

This application is for a 6-month student role in the Neural Circuits Group from July - December 2023.

The Neural Circuits group at Biogen uses in vivo recordings of mouse models of neurological disease to understand disease processes and develop new treatments. These recording technologies include EEG (Electroencephalogram), synaptic imaging, laser doppler, and fiber photometry. By understanding the in vivo dynamics of neural, glial, and vascular networks in mice that express human disease-associated genes, this work can improve translatability between mouse models and human patients.

Position Description

APOE4 is the strongest known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, with consequences on vascular, glial, and neuronal function. This co-op project is to compare two mouse models of APOE4 dysfunction by longitudinally recording blood flow, astrocyte calcium, and neuronal calcium dynamics in the same mice. The co-op will be trained to perform recordings across these three domains in awake, behaving mice, and will contribute to analysis and interpretation of these findings. The expected outcome of the co-op’s work will be developing an essential dataset for APOE-based programs as to timelines of dysfunction and choice points for drug interventions to prevent or rescue dysfunction. The overall outcome of this work is to confirm in vivo readouts for programs at the intersection of vascular, glial, and neural biology. Day-to-day responsibilities will include: handling mice, affixing sensitive recording devices, and running software to record data acquisition. Day-to-day opportunities will include: participation in lab meetings and program meetings, opportunity to learn other lab techniques, and Biogen intern and co-op internal programming.  

Qualifications

• Experience handling mice in a lab setting
• Experience with mouse injection methods or other techniques that require sensitive handling are highly recommended
• Basic understanding of and interest in neuroscience
• Prior experience with coding is a plus (MATLAB, Python, etc.)

Work Sample: In vivo recordings have multiple important steps that contribute to the success of the recording. Please submit a protocol for a lab procedure you have performed with notes about potential errors that could be made at one or more steps and how to avoid them.

To participate in the Biogen Internship Program, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Legal authorization to work in the U.S.
• At least 18 years of age prior to the scheduled start date
• Be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university

Education

Current undergraduate or graduate student in Neuroscience or a closely-related field.

Additional Information

Any disclosure of neurodiversity that may be made as part of the Limitless @ Biogen neurodiversity hiring program, will not be disclosed with respect to any other position you may apply to at Biogen now or in the future, other than for a lawful reason such as if you are affirmatively seeking a reasonable accommodation as part of the accommodation process. Biogen is committed to providing any reasonable accommodations in the application process that may be necessary to provide the applicant(s) with disability an equal employment opportunity throughout our hiring processes.

Why Biogen?

Our mission to find therapies for neurological and rare diseases is a unique focus within our industry and this shared purpose is what connects us as a team. We work together to overcome obstacles and