Biochemistry is one of the essential fields development of which plays a massive role in our everyday lives. Since proficient knowledge in Biochemistry is necessary for the understanding of diverse biological or medical aspects, it is of huge importance for the future Biochemists to be well equipped with proper skills and qualities. Even though lots of universities offer to get an education at the adequately equipped environment and laboratories, this is usually not enough for the students to get all the necessary technical and experimental knowledge in the specific field.
For that reason, internships have been proven to be one of the most efficient ways to gain experience before applying for a job. Although both unpaid and paid internships are valuable for the further career development of individuals, paid internships are of course preferred since one can gain knowledge along with getting financial aid.
Considering the importance of paid internships, here is the list of organizations, companies, and institutions that offer paid internships for individuals specializing in Biochemistry.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory – Golden, CO
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which is the primary space for research and development of renewable energy and technologies connected with proper use of energy, focuses on finding solutions to the energy challenges that the world faces nowadays. Their mission is to change the way the people around the globe use power employing the implementation of clean technologies or integrated energy systems. NREL plays a role in progressing the engineering and various scientific fields to make the use of energy efficient. Moreover, the laboratory advances the technologies for successful transportation systems and technologies crucial for renewable energy.
NREL not only offers educational programs for grades 4-12th but also grants individuals with an educational background in Biochemistry or Molecular Biology the opportunity to participate in their paid internship programs.
-
Year-Round Undergraduate/Graduate Internship – Molecular/Biochemistry
NREL offers the year-round paid internship in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry undergraduate students or graduate students who have graduated in the past 12 months with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The intern will be required to spend 40 hours in the laboratory per week, and the estimated annual salary will vary from $29,000 to $38,000.
Responsibilities and duties will include performing various general experiments including DNA extraction, protein expression/purification/characterization, preparation of enzymatic essays, microbial cultivation, gene cloning, etc. More specifically, the intern will have to prepare growth media, stock solutions, conduct various filtration procedures including gel electrophoresis, analyze and evaluate microbial fermentation through HPLC. Since the chosen intern will be assisting multiple researchers, it is of crucial importance that the intern has skills and qualities for cooperation and effective communication.
-
Year-Round Internship – Enzymatic Sampling
Another paid internship that is offered by National Renewable Energy Laboratory focuses on enzymatic digestion. Relevant applicants must be either undergraduate students or students who have graduated in the past 12 months with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The chosen intern will be required to spend approximately 10 to 20 hours per week during the school year and might be required to spend up to 40 hours during the breaks. Annual payment for this internship varies from $26,000 to $36,000.
The intern will be responsible for enzymatic digestion sampling and organizing biomass samples. Moreover, students might also have duties regarding preparing buffers or other stock solutions and running the SDS-Page gels, western blots, or other techniques used in protein analysis. Applicant must have knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially of Excel as well as an understanding of Chemistry/Biochemistry. Along with that, the student must have experience in working in Biology and/or Chemistry laboratory.
-
Year-Round Internship – Algae Biotechnology
One more year-round paid internship offered at National Renewable Energy Laboratory centers upon uses of Algae for production of biofuels and other chemicals. Similarly to the previous two internships, the intern must be enrolled as an undergraduate student or graduated during the past 12 months, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. NERL offers a part-time position during the school year (10 to 20 hours per week) as well as a full-time job during the summer (about 40 hours per week). Estimated yearly payment for the internship varies between $26,000 and $33,000.
The intern will be responsible for various quantitative and qualitative analysis of algal products. Duties will include cultivation of algae, conversion of algal products to biofuels or other chemicals, preparation of samples, organization of sample data and notes. Since the intern is required to take part in various organizational aspects, NREL is looking for enthusiastic applicants with strong organizational skills.
Merck Research Laboratories – Analytical Research & Development Department
Merck & Co., Inc. is one of the substantial pharmaceutical companies throughout the world. With their mission to observe, develop, and offer innovational services, Merck makes a difference in the quality of life by implementing robust medicines, vaccines, and animal health products.
Merck Research Laboratories, which is considered as a scientific research space of the future, is looking for interns for full-time employment during the summer (for up to 12 weeks). The perfect candidate must be a 3rd-year student enrolled for a Bachelor’s degree in the following subjects: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, or a related course. As it was already mentioned, this is a full-time position with annual payment from $36,000 to $48,000.
The chosen intern will be required to work in a team and solve the problems related to analytical and physical chemistry methods. Moreover, the intern will perform various screening analysis along with mass spectrometry and NMR techniques. Furthermore, the students will perform diverse pharmaceutical analysis and determine the physical attributes of different drugs. For that reason, MRL is seeking individuals with strong educational background, impeccable communication skills, and abilities to work in a team.
Washington State University – Hui Zhang Laboratory
Hui Zhang Laboratory is focused on immunology and cancer biology with emphasis on immunotoxicology and immunotherapy related to alcohol consumption.
The laboratory is seeking an intern with a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Cell biology-related discipline who has a strong educational background and experience with experimental and analytical techniques and theories. The internship is offered for 12 months with a monthly salary of $2,500.
The responsibilities of the chosen candidate include but are not limited to preparation of reagents and cell culture, cell isolation, extraction/purification of DNA, RNA, and proteins, the performance of techniques for protein/DNA/RNA analysis (western blot, PCR), microscope handling, etc. More importantly, 70% of the work done by the intern will be laboratory research, followed by 15% of laboratory maintenance and 10% of experimental animal handling while the remaining 5% will include assigned miscellaneous tasks.
Be aware that the educational background of applicants will be checked by the specific department and only the individuals with sufficient experience with standard laboratory techniques, animal handling, and cell culture will be chosen as research interns.
Allergan Pharmaceuticals
Allergan is a pharmaceutical company which is focused on the development and commercialization of diverse medicine, device, and biologic or surgical equipment. Allergan operates in approximately 100 countries to provide efficient healthcare and treatments for people to live long and healthy lives.
Allergan offers R&D (Research and Development) summer internships for full-time postgraduate students, which will last for 10 to 12 weeks. The relevant candidate must have a Bachelor’s Degree in the following disciplines: Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline. The estimated annual salary will vary from $47,000 to $60,000.
They provide internships in several areas including Drug Metabolism and Immunology, which of enormous importance in Biochemistry.
If you are a detail-oriented individual with strong organizational skills and excellent communication who is interested in the biotransformation of drugs in various organisms or the functioning of the immune system in response to different infections, this is an excellent opportunity for you.
Center for Biological Diversity
Center for Biological Diversity focuses on the protection of all species and the environment that they need for survival through different scientific aspects. The organization has been fighting for biodiversity since 1989.
The nonprofit membership organization is seeking an intern for its Environmental Health Program. They are offering a full-time position along with possibilities to consider a part-time job. The chosen intern will be required to work for no less than 24 hours per week. The annual payment for the internship varies from $46,000 to $62,000.
Primary responsibilities of the intern will include the examination of the impact of different pesticides on soil and different organisms. Moreover, the intern will research and gather information from various scientific papers and write formal scientific reports. Along with that, the intern will take part in working on a scientific paper and preparing it for publication.
If you have strong writing, research, and organizational skills, and you are interested in the impact of various substances on soil and organisms, this is a perfect opportunity to gain knowledge and experience.
NovoNutrients – Sunnyvale, CA
NovoNutrients is specializing in capture and conversion of industrial CO2 to useful products such as proteins to provide animal feed.
The company offers paid internship for individuals who have either pursued an undergraduate degree or are currently enrolled in Bachelor’s degree program in life sciences. The perfect candidate should be able to work for at least 29 hours during the summer with the potential to continue to work during the school year. The hourly rate for this part-time internship is $15.
Primary duties of the intern include preparation of growth media, taking measurements and weighing chemicals, performing sterile techniques, cleaning the glassware. Interns will be responsible for gathering and reviewing the information along with performing various tests and implementing analytical methods. Considering all of this, the intern should have strong organizational skills and a willingness to grasp new ideas and develop.
