Research Intern

Role Description

Messenger Bio is seeking a motivated Research Intern to join our team for the summer. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge mRNA research by leading your own research project under our supervision. As an intern, you will work closely with our team, learning key techniques in mRNA synthesis and purification while contributing to projects that advance Messenger Bio’s mission.

About us

Thousands of human diseases still remain unsolved. At the same time, biotechnology is experiencing a gold rush of sorts, with the pace of innovation accelerating meaningfully in recent years. Just as prospectors during the gold rush benefitted from massive technological improvements in everything from mining to transportation to housing, scientists working at the forefront of biotechnology need better tooling to enable them to get to the point of drug discovery and translation faster.

Our mission at Messenger Bio is to deliver that tooling. We deliver differentiated, high-value products & services that make it easier for scientists to do their best work. We combine deep biological and materials science expertise, and currently offer highly-quality custom mRNA and proprietary mRNA purification kits among our suite of products. We have delivered our products to >40 institutional customers (and counting) in >14 countries, and we are just getting started.

What to expect

Our team at Messenger Bio will support you in your project and help ensure that you hit the ground running. While there is certainly room for you to shape your own project, here’s a simple overview of what you can expect in the first few months:

• 1 month: Get to know the team, understand what we do, and lay the groundwork for your project.

• 2 months: Drive your project independently and troubleshoot problems with the team.

• 3 months: Wrap up your research and present your findings including your recommendations for next steps.

This position is ideal for an individual who is curious about the intersection of research and application based science. We’re looking for a candidate who is driven and eager to explore a career in research. At Messenger Bio, you’ll gain hands-on experience working with novel mRNA technologies and work with an awesome team while doing it.

What you bring

The tangibles:

• Either studying or completed a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedicine/Biology/Biotechnology or a related field

• Hands-on experience with basic molecular biology techniques is helpful (e.g., PCR, DNA cloning, gel electrophoresis, in vitro transcription, mammalian cell culture—prior mRNA expertise is not required)

• Able to commit to 1-3 days per week for 3 months to the assigned project (beginning Nov/Dec)

The intangibles:

• Energy, initiative and integrity

• The ability to balance collaboration with independence—you thrive in a team but don't need to constantly be told what to do

• The ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing