Within the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics Pulmonary Division promote the University's research mission by supporting scientific, scholarly and creative activities through scientific inquiry, open discovery, dissemination of new knowledge, administering programs, procedures and policies to assure compliance and to advance research, technology commercialization, or economic development.

Cystic fibrosis is a life-limiting genetic disease that causes chronic bacterial lung infections as a result of a mutant gene. Our lab uses focuses on gene therapy by replacing the gene which causes cystic fibrosis. will provide support for Cystic Fibrosis research by conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing results, and performing operational duties associated with the laboratory.

It is expected that as the research intern gains experience with laboratory techniques and procedures, they will take on increased autonomy and collaboration with other laboratory members. They will also gradually increase the level of their scientific duties by adding experimental design and data analysis as well as preparation of materials for abstracts, reports, grant applications, and manuscripts.

The research intern will also assist with administrative duties related to ordering lab supplies, maintenance and organization of protocols and documents.

Duties to Include:

• Perform research activities based upon protocols developed by other research staff or principal investigator of the research project.


• Read and review articles as assigned.


• As individual skills develop, analyze literature to develop hypothesis for discussion with other researchers or principal investigator.


• Read and understand protocols.


• As individual skills develop, troubleshoot and analyze protocols; propose modifications to other researchers or principal investigator.


• Arrange and plan daily activities to prepare for experimental protocols.


• As individual skills develop perform complex techniques as outlined in research protocols and test and evaluate current procedures. Set up and operate equipment for experiments.


• Perform experimental procedures assuring fidelity to protocols; record and consolidate data as directed by Principal Investigator (PI).


• Track progress and success of research project.


• As skills develop, may present results at lab meetings; develop and monitor quality controls.


• Collect, track, and perform data entry for reports.


• As skills develop, analyze data.


• Prepare abstracts for presentations or publications.


• Adhere to safety and compliance guidelines.


• Assist in the preparation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory and facility equipment.


• Assist with procurement of supplies and materials.


• May train, provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching and counseling of employees to assure outcomes are achieved.


• Take a proactive approach to learning and implementing new techniques and approaches.

• Bachelor's degree in science, engineering or a related field OR equivalent combination of education and related laboratory experience.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.


• Minimum of 3 months experience in research and data analysis.


• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.


• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills.

​Highly Desired Qualifications

• 6 months experience in microscopy is highly desirable.


• 6 months experience with tissue culture is highly desirable.


• 6 months experience in molecular biology skills such as cloning, PCR, western blotting, or flow cytometry highly desirable.


• Experience handling adenoviruses, AAV and lentivirus highly desirable.


• Experience with gene editing (CRISPR/Cas or base editing) highly desirable.

Desired Qualifications

• Prior experience in caring for laboratory animals.


• Experience with plasmid preps and gene subcloning, and primer design.


• Experience with Snapgene or equivalent DNA software.


• Experience in cell-based screening assays such as luciferase, fluorescence, immunostaining and western blotting.


• Knowledge in how to assemble and present data in figure form.