Intern, Protein Sciences, Biochemistry (BS or MS)

Position description:

Calico is seeking an intern to join the Protein Sciences group. To succeed, you will need to be an enthusiastic team player, detail-oriented, extremely organized and comfortable working on complex problems.  In this position you will explore a variety of commercial/in-house microplate and other assays to optimize parameters for characterization E3 enzymatic activity. The successful candidate will work closely with members of the Protein Sciences group on developing biophysical interaction and biochemical activity assays to evaluate a panel of metabolites discovered through in silico screening for modulation of select E3 ligase activity.

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and optimize microplate based assays (e.g. ELISA, TR-FRET, AlphaLISA, etc.)
• Develop and optimize binding assays to measure kinetics (e.g. ITC, SPR, BLI)
• Characterization of recombinant proteins and vendor reagents (e.g. SDS-PAGE, LC-MS, HPLC, Western Blot)
• Present experimental results to a multi-expertise team and drive scientific discussion/progress

Position requirements:

• Currently pursuing a BS or MS degree in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology or related field
• Experience working with wet lab benchwork, proper lab etiquette, pipetting and volumetric handling
• Experience with data graphing, data analysis softwares and slide presentation
• Knowledge of techniques in biochemistry/molecular biology, protein handling techniques, recombinant protein production
• Ability to perform chemical stoichiometric calculations and buffer preparation
• Accountable, meticulous with attention to detail, and ability to multitask
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Strong teamwork and communication skills
• Self-motivated with a “can-do” attitude
• Flexible, able to respond quickly to shifting priorities and able to multitask

Nice to have:

• Experience with protein chemistry, protein-protein interactions and recombinant protein purification is a plus
• Experience with plate-based immunoassays and UV/Fluorescence Spectrometers is a plus
• Experience with gel electrophoresis and Western Blotting is a plus

About our Program:

Calico’s internship program is a paid 12-week program over the summer for students interested in understanding the fundamental science of aging and finding treatments for the associated and intractable diseases. Working in a collaborative environment and fully embedded in one of our labs/teams, Calico interns tackle a unique project under the mentorship of at least one of our scientists or engineers. Students from all schools, and students who identify with a demographic that is underrepresented within the technology, data science, and healthcare industries are encouraged to apply. This includes but is not limited to Black, Latinx, Native American, students with disabilities, veterans, and non-binary people.

Program Features:

• 3-month summer timeline
• In-person experience at our offices in South San Francisco
• Matching with at least one Calico mentor
• Group supplemental activities weekly featuring guest speakers, Senior Leadership spotlights, and discussion groups on aging science, our drug development approach, and more
• End-of-summer company-wide project showcase and poster session
• Competitive compensation ($40 - $65/hour) and monthly living expenses stipend