Intern, Preclinical Pharmacology

Job Title: Intern, Preclinical Pharmacology

Location: Brisbane, CA

Position Summary

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented intern to support preclinical pharmacology studies. This role provides hands-on experience across both in vitro and in vivo workflows, including cell-based assays, molecular biology techniques, and animal studies to evaluate drug efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) in support of drug discovery programs. The intern will gain exposure to integrated PK/PD studies, including sample collection, tissue processing, and biomarker-based assessment of target engagement and drug response.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the planning and execution of preclinical pharmacology studies (in vitro and in vivo) 
• Perform in vitro experiments, including mammalian cell culture, compound treatment, and assay support 
• Assist with molecular biology and protein/cell-based analyses, including Western blotting (e.g., Jess or traditional Western blot), flow cytometry sample preparation and analysis, protein quantification, and lysate/cell sample preparation for assessment of target modulation/degradation and drug response 
• Assist with ex vivo sample preparation and downstream PD analyses 
• Maintain accurate data recording, sample tracking, and study documentation 
• Perform data analysis and visualization of PK/PD relationships using Excel or GraphPad Prism 
• Contribute to study summaries and final presentations 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or a related field
• Candidates currently pursuing a Master’s degree in a related field are also eligible
• Basic understanding of cell biology, molecular biology, or pharmacology principles 
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate experimental documentation 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented research environment 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical thinking and ability to communicate complex concepts across teams  

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior hands-on laboratory experience (academic or industry) 
• Experience with cell culture, Western blotting, or protein analysis techniques 
• Exposure to flow cytometry (sample preparation and analysis) 
• Exposure to rodent handling or in vivo pharmacology studies 
• Familiarity with PK/PD concepts, including exposure–response relationships 
• Experience with data analysis tools (GraphPad Prism,Excel, ImageJ, FlowJo) 
• Knowledge of IACUC guidelines or GLP practices