Internship/Co-Op Opportunity
Fields: Molecular Biology – Chemistry – Biochemistry – Bio-engineering – Science-Related Fields (both college students and graduate students are welcome)
We are seeking qualified students or college graduates who are highly motivated and seek internship training and experience in biotechnology. Applications are accepted year around. PAID Stipend & FREE Housing available!
The Aptagen laboratory is located in Jacobus, PA, a suburb of York, beautifully surrounded by hiking and horseback riding trails near Lake Williams and Lake Redman. We are conveniently situated off of Interstate 83.
The research training is intensive but very rewarding and enjoyable. On Fridays, students attend Journal Club where they improve their speaking skills by presenting newsworthy articles. The culture of the lab is an academic atmosphere mixed with the fast pace and energy of a start-up, where students receive a ‘graduate school’ experience.
We’ve received very positive responses from previous interns. They’ve learned more in Aptagen’s lab than anywhere else– experience they don’t get from a classroom. Aptagen’s internship program has given former students an edge and head-start over their peers without research experience, better preparing them for graduate school and successful careers in science.
We encourage manuscript writing for publications in scientific journals.
Laboratory experiments may be classified as mostly molecular biology-based, but chemistry may be an optional part of your biotech experience. For example, chemical synthesis of DNA and RNA biopolymers. Techniques may include real-time PCR, electrophoresis, variety of assays, DNA/RNA synthesis, cloning, cell culture, surgical dissection, histology, fluorescence microscopy, etc…
Schedule & Lab Hours (part-time & full-time).
All successful graduates from Aptagen’s internship program, 1) will receive Letters of Recommendation and full support into medical school or graduate school, 2) and/or full-employment may be offered within the company.
Click here to view Employment Opportunities
Check Out Some Of Our Internship Group Photos
December 2020
March 2020
June 2019
May 2019
February 2019
December 2018
July 2018
February 2018
December 2016
September 2015
May 2015
September 2014
August 2014
April 2014
February 2013
October 2012
March 2012
September 2011
December 2011
August 2011
June 2011
January 2011
December 2010
August 2010
March 2010
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November 2009
October 2009
FAQs
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.
