Bacteriology Intern - Associate Biologist

Overview

Ready to shape the future of science and global health?  ATCC, a private nonprofit global biological resource center and standards organization, is excited to announce our 2025 Summer Internship Program. We are seeking local university students with a degree in biology or a related scientific field to join our incredible team in a paid full time 10-week summer internship program.  

Join us as we celebrate 100 years of supporting the global scientific community with reliable biomaterials, including cell lines, bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms from our extensive and diverse ATCC catalogue.

Apply here to be considered for a Bacteriology focused summer internship project:

Project 1: Associate Biologist Intern - AFS Bacteriology

Project Involvement: Screen ATCC’s bacteriophages for therapeutic candidates against AMR pathogens. Cultivate, identify, characterize, and evaluate bacterial products, clones, DNA, and phage production.

Lab Work: Verify product viability and purity, confirm phenotypic properties, and perform genotypic analysis.

Skills Development: Gain experience in aseptic techniques, QC testing, Gram staining, E-Test, Vitek 2, and clone replication using VIAFLO 96 Robot.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications:

• Experience in an undergraduate biological science lab, following safety procedures and handling chemicals/biologicals.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data accurately.
• Strong communication skills.
• Practical knowledge related to the assignment.
• Hands-on experience with aseptic techniques, Gram staining, DNA handling, or molecular biology techniques is desirable.

Project 2: Associate Biologist Intern - Bioproduction, Bacteriology

Lab Work: Includes bacterial culture and media preparation. Cultivate and maintain bacterial strains for experiments and production. Prepare specialized bacterial growth media and supplements. Assist in bacteriological experiments, including antimicrobial testing and strain characterization. Record and analyze bacterial growth data.

Skills Development:

• Aseptic Techniques: Proficiency in sterile handling of bacterial cultures.
• Microbiology Methods: Knowledge of bacterial isolation, identification, and susceptibility testing.
• Media Formulation: Ability to prepare and optimize bacterial growth media.
• Data Analysis: Interpretation of bacterial growth curves and assay results.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications:

• Prior experience in an undergraduate biological science lab, following safety procedures and properly handling chemicals and/or biologicals.
• Understanding of lab safety and bacteriology highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manufacturing Operations: Manufacturing of biological products by following standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and other controlled documents. Maintain laboratory safety, operations, equipment, and supplies.
• Documentation: Maintain production batch records in compliance with good laboratory practices. Collect, analyze, and report data, ensuring meticulous documentation.
• Continuous Learning and Problem-Solving: Master aseptic technique, gain experience with various cell lines and organisms, and tackle routine challenges in alignment with organizational policies.

Qualifications

Program Qualifications:

• Must currently be enrolled as rising 3rd or 4th year undergraduate, or within 12 months of graduating from a BS or MS academic degree program at an accredited college or university, majoring in biology, cell biology, microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioengineering, biotechnology, bioinformatics, or a related science.
• Must be able to complete a 10-week consecutive full-time internship in Manassas, VA.

• Deemed Export Control Notice: To comply with U.S. export control laws, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or have specific authorization under U.S. export control laws. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Prior experience in an undergraduate biological science lab, following safety procedures and properly handling biologicals and/or chemicals.   
• Hands on laboratory experience and aseptic technique.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team.

• Ability to follow laboratory safety protocols and maintain a safe working environment.

• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and ability to follow strict protocols and corporate policies and procedures.

• Strong written and oral communication skills, computer skills, and the ability to critically analyze data sets.

Benefits

The expected compensation for this role is $28.00 per hour.  

Join ATCC, where we fuel your success, well-being, and development.  We're a mission focused non-profit Equal Opportunity Employer, championing diversity and inclusivity. When you work at ATCC, you become a part of that mission, one we’ve committed to for almost 100 years. Shape the future of science with us. 

ATCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. 

Salary : $28