Intern - CP (Freire) (Finance)

Position Summary:

The J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) is a dynamic non-profit research organization using science to impact the world. Our research groups focus on human genomic medicine, infectious disease, plants, microbial and environmental genomics, synthetic biology and biological energy, bioinformatics, and software engineering. We are looking for self-motivated, inquisitive minds to work with us in asking and finding the answers to questions that progress in the field of genomics.

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in or will be enrolled in a Community College Fall 2025
• Applicant's Community College must be in San Diego County
• Must be able to read, comprehend, and discuss relevant scientific literature with co-workers
• Have organizational, time management skills, attention to detail, and have the flexibility to handle a variety of tasks and shifting priorities
• Ability to work independently, while respecting the needs of a larger team
• A commitment to scientific discovery
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Full-time attendance (40 hours per week or 8 hours per day)
• No previous experience needed

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic)
• Ability to work in a confined area.
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period.
• Ability to stand and/or sit for an extended period, if working in the lab.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer and lab work
• Light to moderate lifting is required

Required CV or Resume: (intern will upload attachment)

Required Personal Statement: (intern will upload attachment)

Please attach a 1-2-pg, single-spaced, personal statement that shares your interest in the internship program. Please be sure to address the following:

1. Your Background:Discuss your academic and personal experiences, including any challenges or obstacles you have overcome. Previous scientific experience is not required.
2. Scientific Interests:what excites you about science? What issues are you passionate about? What do you find cool about science?
3. Which of the science fields/tracks at JCVI are interesting to you?
4. Career Goals:Outline your short- and long-term career aspirations and how this internship will contribute to your professional development to help you achieve your goals.

Potential Projects – please indicate your top 3 preferences, ranking them in order 1-3 (1 being your most preferred). (intern will be able to rank positions based on preference)

• Genomic Medicine and Infectious Disease, Immunology - (Health).
  Supervisor: Marcelo Freire

(in-person)

This opportunity will introduce the summer intern to state-of-the-art technologies and assays related to inflammation and saliva biology. The summer intern will help with the daily operation of immune-related experiments, isolation of immune cells, cytokine arrays and analytical tools. Responsibilities will also include keeping track of cells, immune assays and run statistics. Other responsibilities include informatic evaluations of data, daily maintenance of equipment, tracking sample and kit inventory, and participation in laboratory meetings.

• Environmental Genomics and Synthetic Biology - (Sustainability).

Supervisor: Erin Garza

(in-person)

Plastic is one of the most widespread pollutants in the world, especially in marine environments. Microbial degradation of plastic can improve our recycling capabilities and remediate plastic pollution. Participants in this internship will have the opportunity to take part in an environmentally impactful research project testing proteins of interest discovered on marine plastic samples for their ability to degrade plastic. Participants will learn how to culture bacteria, perform genetic manipulations, and test for plastic degradation activity.

• Bioinformatics and Genomic Discovery - (Health).

Supervisor: Chris Dupont

(hybrid in-person/remote)

The Dupont Group is seeking an informatics intern to aid in the investigation of microbiome and host-pathogen interactions. The project will be customized with the candidate's skillset and interests in mind.

• Infectious Disease - (Health).

Supervisor: Sinem Beyhan

(in-person)

The Beyhan lab focuses on the human fungal pathogens: Histoplasma, Coccidioides and Candida species. Histoplasma and Coccidioides species are primary fungal pathogens and can infect healthy individuals, as well as immunocompromised individuals, causing life-threatening pulmonary infections histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever), respectively. It is reported that tens of thousands of individuals acquire these endemic mycoses annually in the United States alone, and it is estimated that many more cases remain unreported. Candida species cause hospital acquired infections. In particular, Candida auris is an emerging fungal pathogen and is intrinsically resistant to antifungals. Our main goal is to understand and interfere with the pathways that cause fungal pathogenesis. Using multi-omics, genetics, and molecular biology techniques, we develop methods to introduce gene manipulations, track genomic and transcriptomics changes at a whole-genome level, and identify novel antifungals. Results of our studies can be used to develop diagnostics and therapeutics for fungal diseases.

• Characterization and Application of RNA-Based Genetic Circuits - (Synthetic Biology)

Supervisor: Tae Seok Moon

(in-person)

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented summer intern to join our team. In this role, you will use automated liquid handling systems (i.e., robots) to rapidly characterize the performance of RNA-based genetic circuits, design and construct plasmids (i.e., synthetic DNA carriers), and perform essential microbiology and molecular biology experiments. This work will advance our understanding of genetic circuits and their application in synthetic biology.

• Scientific Communication and Community Outreach - (Outreach and Education).
  Supervisor: Anna Capria

(Hybrid remote/in-person)
Join our team to make cutting-edge science in informatics, genomics, and synthetic biology accessible to diverse audiences. As an Outreach and STEM Communications Intern, you will create digital content for social media and newsletters, assist in planning and executing outreach events, track outbreaks and analyze related data, and contribute to building website pages to share relevant science. This internship provides hands-on experience in science communication and the opportunity to develop professional skills in public speaking, writing, and data analysis, all within the transformative fields of genomics and synthetic biology.

• Software Engineering - (Software Engineering and Health).

Supervisor: Mehmet Kuscuglou/Indresh Singh

(Hybrid remote/in-person)

Join our team to learn hands on skills in informatics, genomics, and biology through software development. As a Software Engineering Intern, you will design and implement software tools with biological applications, contribute to the development of scalable applications, debug and optimize code for performance, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to create solutions that advance scientific discovery. This internship provides hands-on experience in software development and the opportunity to build skills in programming, problem-solving, and teamwork, all within the transformative fields of genomics and pathogen research. No prior coding necessary.

J. Craig Venter Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.