Aptagen, LLC is a global leader in aptamer development with over 25 years of experience generating high affinity and specifically-binding aptamers for small molecules, proteins, cells, and tissues. We produce state-of-the-art target-recognition elements for diagnostics, therapeutics, and bio-industrial applications.

We are a small tight-knit team with an academic atmosphere mixed with a face-paced and innovative start-up environment.

Orientation (on-boarding) starts on the second Saturday morning of January, June, or September (followed by a pizza lunch break). The program is a rolling application process, and candidates may be invited to start at other times under special circumstances.

Yes, candidates who have a GPA of at least 3.5 or have a graduate-level degree such as a Masters or Ph.D. qualify for FREE Housing (limited availability) along with the stipend pay. At the company’s discretion, housing may be provided under special circumstances. If you do not qualify for free housing, then you must find your own accommodations during your stay.

See Housing page for options.

Yes. Full-time employees of at least 2 years are eligible to be sponsored by the company for a Masters or part-time Ph.D. program (which will typically take 4-6 years to complete).

Full-time employment may be offered to those who successfully complete and graduate from the Internship/Co-Op Program. Post-doc position(s) are available- inquire.

At least 20 hrs/wk and 40 hrs/wk for the part-time and full-time paths, respectively. Weekly Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to ~1:30pm (part-time), or to ~4:30pm (full-time path). Mandatory Lab Meetings are on (odd-numbered) Thursdays & Fridays from 3:00pm to 5:30pm (including a pizza break).

The program is structured into 3 Tiers- see Credit & Stipend Table below.

Note: Because of the time commitment, we typically attract and accept candidates who are seniors or college graduates.

No. Three months is not enough time to receive adequate training experience in a laboratory setting and not worthwhile for the company to devote significant time and resources for a short period.  Six months would be the minimum acceptable time-frame.

No. Six (6) months is the minimum amount of time needed to devote/commit to the training program.

The stipend pay is nominal and based on the internship program level as the candidate advances through the 3-tiered program (see Table below). The company invests significant amounts of time and resources in training. Candidates will inevitably make experimental errors, which is likely during the course of the program; however, these occurrences may be costly to the company. It is a natural part of the learning curve, but those errors are at the expense and time of the company. The candidate should consider this program as a necessary extension of time and expense in education beyond the classroom to gain technical skills and experience for a resume.

Unfortunately, No. Most candidates financially support themselves by taking a temporary part-time job after-hours and/or enlist support from family during this period. FREE Housing may be available, if you qualify.

Unfortunately, No. We are unable to accommodate travel expenses or support international students. If invited for an onsite interview, you have the option to choose a Skype interview instead only if your travel time is >3 hrs.

Refer to the pie-chart here for the current internship graduation rate.

Aptagen’s training program is probably the most demanding and competitive internship/Co-op experience any one candidate will encounter. It is not easy, and it is not for everyone– mostly due to the lack of long-term commitment as a result of the financial burden of living expenses the candidate faces during the entirety of the program. The stipend pay is nominal and not enough to live on– it may pay for gas money, and that’s it.  Other reasons include the maturity level and seriousness of the candidate as an individual. The candidates that survive the intense training program will have a significant competitive edge over their peers and will be well prepared in reaching their career goals.