About the role#
The Primary Cell Platform team is looking for a co-op to join our immunology and pharmacology department. You will contribute to preclinical research by investigating human tumor biology and immune function. This role provides hands-on experience with human samples and translational research to support early-stage therapeutic discovery.
What you'll do#
- Conduct in vitro and ex vivo experiments to study tumor-immune interactions using primary human models.
- Maintain primary tumor tissues, including tumor slice assays, spheroids, organoids, and immune co-culture systems.
- Process tumor and blood specimens through tissue dissociation, viability assessment, and assay preparation.
- Perform immunological assays such as flow cytometry, ELISA, MSD, and cytokine profiling.
- Culture primary human immune cells, including PBMCs, T cells, and macrophages.
- Run T-cell activation, proliferation, and cytotoxicity assays.
- Analyze experimental data and present findings to the team.
- Maintain records in an electronic lab notebook and follow laboratory safety standards.
- Support occasional after-hours processing of time-sensitive tumor samples.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related life sciences field.
- Expected graduation date of Spring 2027 or later.
- Ability to work full-time onsite for the entire duration of the co-op.
- Experience with aseptic technique and primary human cell culture is preferred.
- Familiarity with tumor tissue handling, 3D culture systems, flow cytometry, or immunoassays is helpful.
Location & details#
- Location: Bedford, Massachusetts.
- Work modality: On-site.
- This is a paid, full-time position.
About PharmaEssentia Corp.
PharmaEssentia Corp. is a biotechnology research company founded in 2003. It develops treatments for hepatitis and myeloproliferative neoplasms. The organization operates a cGMP biologics facility in Taichung that meets international regulatory standards. Based in the Nangang District of Taipei, the firm employs between 501 and 1,000 people.
How to get in at PharmaEssentia Corp.
Securing an internship at PharmaEssentia Corp. requires speed, as early applicants are often reviewed before the applicant pool becomes unmanageable. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first. This helps you avoid the frustration of submitting your materials to a crowded queue. You can then focus your energy on the next steps of the process. Beyond timing, reaching out to the right person is often the difference between a rejection and an interview. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the role or a referral. This direct approach materially improves your response rates compared to standard submissions.
