INTERNSHIP DETAILS
Summer Intern, Discovery Pharmacology (CNS)
CompanyArrowhead Pharmaceuticals
LocationSan Diego
Work ModeOn Site
PostedJanuary 16, 2026

Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The intern will support experiments to characterize ATXN1 protein expression in human cell lines and analyze experimental data. They will summarize research findings and prepare a scientific poster and/or PowerPoint presentation.
Internship Type
full time
Company Size
688
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
Apply Now →
You'll be redirected to
the company's application page
About The Company
At Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals we are breaking the mold of medicine. We are pushing the boundaries of therapeutic development and revolutionizing how we care for hard-to-treat illnesses.
As a company we harness collaboration and innovation to rapidly advance drugs from discovery to the clinic.
All applicants: Please be aware of employment scams using Arrowhead’s name and the names of Arrowhead’s employees. All job related Arrowhead communication should come from the domain @arrowheadpharma.com.
About the Role
<div class="content-intro"><p>Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARWR) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing.</p>
<p>Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates.</p>
<p>Arrowhead’s corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI. Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need. </p></div><p><strong>The Position</strong></p>
<p>The Discovery Pharmacology Intern will support research efforts at Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals by contributing to studies focused on early CNS programs. This internship offers hands-on laboratory experience characterizing protein expression in human cell lines and analyzing experimental data to better understand biological mechanisms relevant to therapeutic development. The intern will work closely with scientists to generate and interpret data and will summarize findings in a scientific poster presented at the end of the internship.</p>
<p>This is an 11-week Summer Internship Program paying $24.00 per hour and requires full-time, onsite work five days per week at the designated location.</p>
<p><em>Responsibilities</em></p>
<ul>
<li>Support experiments to characterize ATXN1 protein expression in human cell lines, including healthy and patient-derived models.</li>
<li>Perform cell culture and aseptic techniques under supervision.</li>
<li>Conduct immunoassays, including use of platforms such as JESS, as applicable</li>
<li>Analyze experimental data and organize results using appropriate tools.</li>
<li>Maintain detailed and accurate experimental records in accordance with laboratory standards.</li>
<li>Summarize research findings and prepare a scientific poster and/or PowerPoint presentation.</li>
<li>Present project results to the research team toward the end of the internship.</li>
<li>Collaborate with team members and participate in group discussions and meetings.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>Requirements</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Currently enrolled student at an accredited university or college, majoring in a biology-related field such as Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Human Biology, Neuroscience, or a related discipline.</li>
<li>Completion of relevant coursework in biology or life sciences.</li>
<li>Completion of coursework in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and/or Biotechnology</li>
<li>Familiarity with protein expression analysis, immunoassays, or cell-based assays.</li>
<li>Interest in translational research or neuroscience-related drug discovery.</li>
<li>Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.</li>
<li>Strong curiosity and motivation to learn new laboratory techniques.</li>
</ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">California pay range </div><div class="pay-range"><span>$10,560</span><span class="divider">—</span><span>$10,560 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p>Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package. </p>
<p>All applicants must have authorization to work in the US for a company. </p>
<p><a href="https://arrowheadpharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Arrowhead-California-Applicant-Privacy-Policy.pdf" target="_blank">California Applicant Privacy Policy</a></p></div>
Key Skills
Cell CultureAseptic TechniquesImmunoassaysProtein Expression AnalysisData AnalysisExperimental Record KeepingScientific PresentationCollaborationCuriosityMotivation to Learn
Categories
Science & ResearchHealthcareTechnology
Prep Tools
FREE
20,000+ INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Question Database
Curated for Science & Research
Science & Research
304+ Qs
Healthcare
335+ Qs
Technology
111+ Qs
FREE
PROFESSIONAL COVER LETTER TEMPLATES
Template Library
Professional templates
50+ templates for every role
FREE
STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD
AI Cover Letter
Tailored for Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals
Dear Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Hiring Team,
I am excited to apply for the Summer Intern, Discovery Pharmacology (CNS) position. With my experience in Cell Culture and Aseptic Techniques...
Continue with AI →