Summer Internship

About the Internship

Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing at LCGM

Stanford Laboratory for Cell & Gene Medicine (LCGM) is an innovative, state-of-the-art, multi-product manufacturing facility that develops cell and gene-based therapies for early phase clinical trials in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) FDA regulations. LCGM’s projects represent diverse therapeutic modalities including hematopoietic stem cells and host alloantigen-specific regulatory T cells to prevent Graft versus Host Disease, genetically engineered immune cells (T-cells) for cancer immunotherapy and complex immune syndromes and CRISPR gene correction for sickle cell disease amongst others. 

A unique biotech startup in an academic environment, LCGM provides an exciting opportunity to work with world class scientists who support translational medicine. LCGM is committed to making positive change in the diversity, equity, and inclusion of our community.

LCGM 2023 Summer Internship Details: 10-week, full-time, in-person, paid internship from June 12th to August 18th. Internships available in Process Development & Manufacturing and Quality Control.

Process Development & Manufacturing (PDM): LCGM supports the Center for Definitive & Curative Medicine (CDCM) and Center for Cancer Cell Therapy (CCT); internships are available in both centers. PDM teams develop large scale, closed system, cGMP compliant procedures to manufacture innovative cell and gene therapies. The Intern’s role may include:

• LCGM cell and gene therapy project overview
• Aseptic technique; cell thaw, expansion, cryopreservation, scale-up; analytical assays
• Equipment learning: control rate freezer; automated cell counter, flow cytometry
• Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Good Documentation Practices (GDP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

Quality Control: Quality Control ensures product efficacy and safety. The Intern’s role may include:

• LCGM cell and gene therapy project overview
• Environmental Monitoring; microbial and air quality testing and analysis
• Cell product analytical assays and techniques
• Equipment learning: automated cell counter, flow cytometry; PCR
 

WORKING STANDARDS:

  • Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues, clients and  external organizations.
  • Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
  • Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu/.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the University reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental  budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs. The pay range for this position working in the California Bay area is $25/hour based on commensurate experience and background.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants 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 characteristic protected by law.

As an organization that receives federal funding, Stanford University has a COVID-19 vaccination requirement that will apply to all university employees, including those working remotely in the United States and applicable subcontractors. To learn more about COVID policies and guidelines for Stanford University Staff, please visit https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/working-stanford/covid-19/interim-policies/covid-19-surveillance-testing-policy

Eligibility

This program is open to all current college sophomores and juniors majoring in a STEM discipline and are:

  • enrolled in a four year undergraduate program
  • eligible to work in the United States
  • 18 years or older at the time of application

How to Apply

Complete the online application, which will include: 

  • One essay question: Please describe how your education and experience align with your  selected functional area of interest for LCGM internship (250 words max)
  • Upload of Statement of Purpose (500 words max)
  • Upload of Resume (2 pages max)
  • Upload of Unofficial Transcript
  • Name and contact information of individual who can provide a letter of recommendation (NOTE: Letters are NOT required at the time of application submission)

FAQs

I have to ask someone for a reference. What does that mean?
Applicants must ask someone who can comment on the applicant's interest and aptitude for science and their potential as a summer intern. During the application review process, we may ask the reference for a letter of recommendation, or to speak with them via telephone. Note: Letters of Recommendation should not be submitted with your application.

This is my senior year in high school, am I eligible to apply for this summer research opportunity?
No. We encourage graduation senior to apply for our paid GMP Certificate program.

Will housing be provided for students who do not live locally?
We do not provide housing. All students are responsible for having a living arrangement and commuting to LCGM for the entire 10-week program.

I have not heard anything about my application and it is April 2nd. Should I contact you to check on the status?
If you have not heard from our office by now, then you have not been selected for this program.

 

 

Contact

Please submit all inquiries to lcgm_opportunities@stanford.edu

 

2023 Program Dates

  • Program Dates 
    June 12 - August 18
  • Application Period
    December 15 - February 13
  • Final Selection & Interviews
    March 6 - 20
  • Acceptance Notification
    by April 1

Perspective

Catherine Terry, Manufacturing Specialist II and former 2019 Process Development & Manufacturing Intern

 

Devin Sidhu, 2022 Process Development & Manufacturing Intern

 

Gianna Gunier, 2022 Quality Control Intern

 

Image Gallery

Retrieving cryopreserved T-Allo samples to test cell count using the cellometer. 

Closing the centrifuge after ensuring that the cell sample is balanced to spin down cell suspension and separate cells from wash buffer.

Running ELISA assay to determine the amount of IL-2 and IFNg (pg/μL).

Feeding CAR-T cells with various media conditions.

Demi-Depletion and adding fresh media and cytokines to the cell culture bag using a syringe.

Vortexing and spinning down a sample of Albumin-WPRE minigene plasmid to prepare for testing the concentration of the sample for a WPRE VCN assay.