Nucleic Acid Analytics Intern

Job Title: Nucleic Acid Analytics Intern

Location: South San Francisco, CA (local candidates only)

Reports to: Scientist

Temporary (Summer Internship)

Full-Time: Monday-Friday

Internship Duration (10-12 weeks): Start Date (May/June) – End Date (August/September)

About SonoThera: 

SonoThera is a venture capital-backed early-stage biopharmaceutical company developing ultra-sound-guided non-viral targeted gene therapies to treat multiple diseases of high unmet need.  SonoThera uses a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and forward-thinking approach to solving many of the current challenges facing genetic medicine discovery and drug development. SonoThera is headquartered in South San Francisco, CA. 

Program Overview

The Summer Internship Program provides hands-on experience designed to complement academic learning. Over the course of the program, interns will gain exposure to real-world projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and receive structured mentorship and feedback.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future visa sponsorship.

Role Summary

The Gene Therapy group at SonoThera is seeking to hire a Nucleic Acid Analytics Intern to become an integral part of the gene therapy drug development effort. This intern will support efforts to characterize gene therapy vectors delivery efficiency in diverse preclinical models. The Nucleic Acid Analytics Intern will think critically and have the desire and ability to learn new techniques. The intern will need to be adaptable, perform at a high level in a fast-paced environment, and have basic technical experience in preparing samples for RNA and DNA analyses.

Key Responsibilities

Learning Objectives

By the end of this internship, the intern will have an understanding in the following areas:

• Tissue / sample handling
• Assay execution (DNA and RNA extraction from animal tissues, ddPCR, RT-qPCR) 
• Safe lab practices and basic laboratory skills
• Data analysis, slide preparation, and presentation
• Documentation (i.e. Benchling) and organizational skills 

Qualifications: 

• Eagerness for learning
• Basic understanding of high school level biology / chemistry
• Creativity and the ability to work within an interdisciplinary team to achieve technical and corporate milestones.
• Strong verbal and written communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong record-keeping and organizational skills.

Compensation: The is a paid internship. Hourly pay is based on current degree level

• Pursuing Bachelor’s degree: $27.00 per hour
• Pursuing Master’s (MS) degree: $30.00 per hour

Compensation is determined based on verified academic enrollment at the time of hire.

Equal Opportunity for Diversity & Inclusion  

SonoThera provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.