INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Co-op, Cell Line Development R&D

CompanyUltragenyx Pharmaceutical
LocationSomerville
Work ModeOn Site
PostedMarch 10, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
This role supports the generation and characterization of producer cell lines for AAV-based therapeutics by actively contributing to the development of suspension rAAV-producing stable cell lines for clinical trials and commercialization. Responsibilities include maintaining mammalian cell lines, optimizing high throughput screening platforms, and assisting in molecular biology assays for characterization.
Internship Type
full time
Salary Range
$23 - $28
Company Size
1590
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
Apply Now →

You'll be redirected to
the company's application page

About The Company
Leading with purpose. Every day. “Ultragenyx was founded to advance innovative medicines for rare and ultrarare diseases that have never been treated before. We are delivering transformative therapies across multiple indications, and we have one of the most robust and diverse clinical pipelines in rare disease. Our focus is on doing the right things for patients both during development and commercialization to deliver on the promise of these therapies in a way that's meaningful for rare disease communities.” Emil D. Kakkis, M.D., Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer and President We have an inclusive culture of value and respect. Ultragenyx brings novel products to those living with rare and ultrarare diseases with a focus on debilitating genetic diseases. Founded in 2010, we have rapidly built a diverse portfolio of approved therapies and products aimed at diseases with a high unmet medical need for which many have no approved therapies. It takes courage, care, talent, and dedication to make a meaningful impact for those living with rare diseases, their families and the rare disease community. We put our people first, so they can take care of the rare disease community. We purposefully cultivate and nurture a dynamic, supportive work environment where we encourage every team member to share their new ideas and help us unlock more possibilities. Our team is made up of exceptional and diverse people with a strong passion and commitment to helping those living with rare diseases. By embracing generosity, curiosity, inclusion, and humility we are constantly learning together—fostering an environment that supports profound growth and fulfillment. If you want to have a meaningful impact, do the best work of your career while having fun and growing professionally and personally, come join our team! Visit our community guidelines at: https://ultragenyx.co/community
About the Role
Why Join Us?
 
Be a hero for our rare disease patients
 
At Ultragenyx, we fundamentally believe that taking real impactful action to care for the needs of patients and our people is always the right thing to do. To achieve this goal, our vision is to lead the future of rare disease medicine. For us, this means going where other biopharma companies won’t go – challenging the status quo and creating a new model that advances our field so more patients and caregivers can benefit from life-changing treatments. We do this by following the science, applying a novel rapid development approach, making innovative medicines at fair and reasonable prices, and creating a collaborative ecosystem to reach patients in ways that are most meaningful for them. 
 
Our commitment and care for patients extends to our people, so culture is an essential cornerstone for Ultragenyx. We remain continuously focused on creating a supportive and inclusive environment of profound learning and growth – so employees can thrive in all areas of their lives, in and outside of work. Ultimately, we want to be an organization where we would be proud for our family, friends and children to work.
 
If you want to have a meaningful impact, do the best work of your career, and grow a lot, both professionally and personally, come join our team.

Position Summary:

ultraimpact – Make a difference for those who need it most

Reporting to Sr Research Associate II on the Producer Cell Line (PCL) Platform team, this individual will support the generation and characterization of producer cell lines for the advancement of AAV-based therapeutics. Our selected candidate will participate in a range of research projects, leveraging molecular and genetic techniques to better inform host cell and viral interactions. This role is ideal for students who enjoy bench science, systematic problem‑solving, and working in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.

Work Model: 

Core Lab & Ops: This role typically requires that the majority of the work be conducted on-site and thus will be subject to certain on-site safety protocols during the pandemic.

Responsibilities:

  • Actively contribute to the development of suspension rAAV-producing stable cell lines to enable phase III clinical trials and commercialization
  • Maintain mammalian cell lines in both adherent and suspension culture, performing routine passaging, media exchanges, and bank/thaw operations under sterile conditions
  • Assist in optimizing robust high throughput cell screening platform technology to enable fast selection of high producing cell lines
  • Perform and assist in developing molecular biology assays for the characterization of both producer cell lines and rAAV
  • Support generation of engineered cell lines using genome editing techniques
  • Participate in a variety of research projects for the improvement of rAAV quality
  • Ensure high-quality, timely documentation in electronic laboratory notebooks and technical reports
  • Work both independently and as a member of a highly collaborative team

Requirements:

  • Enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in one of the following fields: Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, or a related scientific discipline, with a minimum of 2 years completed and plans to return to school in the spring 2027 term.
  • This is a 6 month co-op, starting July 6, 2026 working full-time (40 hours per week) until December 18, 2026
  • Experience with mammalian cell culture is preferred, experience with plasmid transfections and/or viral infections is a plus
  • Experience with DNA, RNA, and protein isolation from either mammalian tissues or cells
  • Familiarity with molecular biology techniques (qPCR, Western Blot, ELISA, Flow Cytometry)
  • Familiarity with NGS sequencing techniques is a plus (ONT, Illumina, PacBio)
  • Familiarity with cell line engineering methods is a plus (Lentiviral, shRNA, CRISPR, siRNA)
  • Demonstrate interest in experimental design, understanding underlying scientific principles, and analyzing results

U.S. Hourly Wage Range:

  • $23.00-$28.00 
  • The estimated hourly range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual hourly wage offered will depend on the candidate’s school year/level. #LI-AJ1  #LI-Onsite
 
Full Time employees across the globe enjoy a range of benefits, including, but not limited to:
 
·         Generous vacation time and public holidays observed by the company
·         Volunteer days
·         Long term incentive and Employee stock purchase plans or equivalent offerings
·         Employee wellbeing benefits
·         Fitness reimbursement
·         Tuition sponsoring
·         Professional development plans
 
* Benefits vary by region and country

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age, disability, marital and veteran status, and any other status or classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. Reasonable accommodation will be provided for all protected statuses or classifications protected by applicable law, including individuals with disabilities, disabled veterans, for pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, and based on sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants can request an accommodation prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, you may contact Talent Acquisition by emailing us at talentacquisition@ultragenyx.com.

See our Privacy Policy.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Note to External Recruiters: All candidate activity and open positions are managed strictly through our Human Resources Department. Our Human Resources Department kindly requests that recruiters not contact employees/hiring managers directly in an attempt to solicit business and present candidates. Please note that failure to comply with this request will be a factor in determining a professional relationship with our organization. Submission of unsolicited resumes prior to an agreement set in place between the Human Resources Department and the recruiting agency will not create any implied obligation.  Inquiries on developing a recruiting relationship with us, may be directed to: talentacquisition@ultragenyx.com.
Key Skills
Mammalian Cell CultureSuspension CultureAdherent CultureCell Line DevelopmentMolecular Biology AssaysGenome EditingAAV TherapeuticsCell ScreeningPlasmid TransfectionsViral InfectionsDNA IsolationRNA IsolationProtein IsolationqPCRWestern BlotELISA
Categories
Science & ResearchEngineeringHealthcare
Benefits
Vacation timePublic holidaysVolunteer daysLong term incentiveEmployee stock purchase plansEmployee wellbeing benefitsFitness reimbursementTuition sponsoringProfessional development plans