Research Associate Intern

🔬 Microbiology Internship at Tolka AI Therapeutics

Join us at the frontier of microbiology and medicine. Work with phages. Help stop superbugs. Launch your scientific career.

Tolka is a pioneering biotech startup backed by Khosla Ventures and Draper Associates, focused on developing phage therapy to tackle one of humanity’s most urgent challenges: antibiotic resistance.

By 2050, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are projected to kill more people than cancer. At Tolka, we believe phages—nature’s original nanobots, hyper-specific, self-replicating, and astonishingly adaptable—are our best shot at stopping this silent pandemic.

You will work on a moonshot goal: eradicating antibiotic-resistant superbugs using phage therapy—an approach still invisible to most of the world, but one that could redefine how we treat infections.

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🧪 About the Role

We are seeking ambitious, thoughtful, and unorthodox thinkers to join our microbiology team as interns. This is a hands-on role where you’ll work directly on a high-impact drug development pipeline, learning from PhDs, biotech veterans, and experienced microbiologists.

This is more than an internship—it’s a chance to help shape the future of medicine.

- Pay starts at $14/hour

- Location: South Florida

- Minimum age: 17 years

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🧬 What You’ll Do

- Collect environmental samples (soil, sewage, pond water, compost, farm waste) for phage discovery  

- Prepare and process samples for phage isolation  

- Assist in preparing and maintaining bacterial cultures  

- Conduct microbiological assays to identify and characterize phages  

- Analyze plaque assay results to help guide phage selection decisions  

- Participate in experimental design discussions with the R&D team  

- Propose new phage hunting or screening strategies based on your findings or literature reviews  

- Prepare reports, visual summaries, and presentations of lab findings  

- Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe BSL-2 lab environment  

- Support ongoing research projects and participate in team meetings  

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🌟 What You’ll Gain

- Hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art microbiology lab  

- Exposure to cutting-edge translational science in an entrepreneurial setting  

- Mentorship from scientists and biotech leaders  

- A front-row seat to how science, strategy, and venture capital come together to build new therapies  

- Opportunities for co-authorship on publications and long-term positions based on performance  

- A deep dive into the real-world challenges of developing next-generation antimicrobials

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✅ Who Should Apply?

You might be a great fit if:

- You’re currently studying microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, or a related field  

- You’ve spent late nights running gels or reading microbiology papers for fun  

- You love being in the lab and want to work on something that truly matters  

- You’re organized, curious, and able to work both independently and collaboratively  

- You care about solving hard problems with urgency, creativity, and compassion

We welcome applications from recent graduates, current university students, community college students, and gap-year students.

If some of the above doesn’t align perfectly with your background—don’t worry. If you're thoughtful, a lifelong learner, and a collaborative teammate, we still encourage you to apply.

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💬 How to Apply

Ready to apply? tolka.ai/internship to get started or email us at jobs@tolka.ai if you have any questions.

Tolka is an equal opportunity employer.