2024 Summer Intern - Computational Biologist, Functional Genomics

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, with offices in Boston, Massachusetts, and Dublin, Ireland. For more than 30 years, Ionis has been the leader in RNA-targeted therapy, pioneering new markets and changing standards of care with our novel antisense technology. Ionis currently has three marketed medicines and a premier late-stage pipeline highlighted by industry-leading cardiovascular and neurological franchises. Our scientific innovation began and continues with the knowledge that sick people depend on us, which fuels our vision to become the undisputed leader in genetic medicine, utilizing a multi-platform approach to discover, develop and deliver life-transforming therapies.
As the first company to fully harness the power of RNA technology for human therapeutics, Ionis' platform continues to revolutionize drug discovery and transform lives for patients with unmet needs. We are building upon our innovative research and drug development excellence to provide greater value to patients, and we are well positioned financially to deliver on our strategic goals.
Ionis is a challenging, motivating and rewarding environment designed to foster innovation and scientific excellence. Our success is a direct result of our outstanding employees. We are interested in bringing together a diverse group of individuals with different skill sets and perspectives into this creative environment to be part of a productive and inclusive team. Join us and experience our unique culture while you develop and expand your career.
Computational Biologist, Functional Genomics
Summary:
We are currently looking for a Summer Intern for 2024 to assist in our Functional Genomics Department with a project harnessing the power of single cell transcriptomics to elucidate disease biology.
In this role, the intern will focus on 3 main goals using single cell transcriptome data:

• Target key tissues for data curation, acquisition, quality control, and processing.
• Develop a comprehensive cell type and disease specific reference to be used in drug discovery.
• Fine-tune foundation transformer models to predict cell type specific effects of gene perturbation on cell states and transcriptome.

The intern will have the opportunity to gain experience with single cell data QC and analysis, hyperparameter tunning of deep learning transformer models, their application to predict the impact of gene perturbations, and much more. In addition, the intern will have the opportunity to learn about the various roles computational biology and machine learning can play in drug discovery.
Program Highlights:

• The program is designed to complement a student's undergraduate and/or graduate studies with relevant, hands-on industry experience
• Ionis offers paid positions
• Weekly stipend
• Professional Networking
• Fun Group Outings
• End-of-program project presentations
• Housing/Travel assistance available for eligible, out-of-area interns
• Networking and bonding social events
• Interaction with diverse and motivated teams/departments

Requirements:

• MUST be currently enrolled in a U.S. Undergraduate and/or Graduate Degree Program and not graduating prior to the completion of the Ionis internship
• MUST know Python programming (R a plus)
• MUST know the fundamentals of machine learning (deep learning knowledge preferred, knowledge of transformer models, PyTorch, and Hugging Face a plus)
• MUST be able to begin internship between 6/11 and 6/17/2024
• MUST be able and willing to remain in program through at least 8/16/2024
• MUST be able and willing to commit to a minimum 40-hour work week
• Preference will be given to candidates able to work onsite at Carlsbad, CA, but strong remote candidates are encouraged to apply. Housing will be provided for qualified out-of-town candidates

Please visit our website, http://www.ionispharma.com for more information about Ionis and to apply for this position; reference requisition # IONIS00####
The pay scale for this position is $18 to $23 per hour.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. PRINCIPALS ONLY. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS April 22, 2024. PLEASE INCLUDE A COVER LETTER RELEVANT TO THE POSITION APPLYING FOR. THE EVALUATION PROCESS MAY COMMENCE PRIOR TO THIS DEADLINE.
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and all its subsidiaries are proud to be EEO employers.