Internship in Stem Cell Biology

Are you passionate about pluripotent stem cells and their use in translational medicine? Do you want to be part of a department that works on a stem cell-based cell replacement therapy leading to a novel treatment for, among others, Type 1 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease? Then apply for a 6 months internship and join our department Stem Cell Biology at Novo Nordisk A/S in Måløv, Denmark. 

The position

During your internship you will support our efforts in stem cell cultivation and differentiation. You will get a custom-tailored onboarding-program where you will first learn to culture and differentiate human pluripotent stem cells in adherent and suspension culture. You will participate in the daily work in the laboratory and interact with both technicians and scientists. As part of the position, you will take part in organizing/maintaining laboratory consumables/equipment including stock up of labs and assembling and cleaning of tanks for our bioreactor platform. In collaboration with department members you will be involved in planning, executing and evaluating experiments aiming to improve our differentiation protocols toward the desired cell type. Analytical methods in the department include flow cytometric assays, single-cell expression analyses, histology and various molecular assays. 

• Internship period: 6 months (possible to prolong for 6 additional month)
• Working hours: Full-time (min. 25 and max. 37 hours a week)
• Start date: preferred January 2021 
• A Danish full-time work permit is required

Qualifications

We are looking for an intern who is passionate about stem cell biology and molecular assays. 

You are an excellent student and are currently enrolled in your master’s degree in cell biology, human biology, biochemistry, bioengineering or a similar field of studies. 
You have a good understanding of cell signalling processes and molecular biology in general. 
Preferably, you have hands-on experience with one or more of the following methods: cell culture of mammalian cells and specifically pluripotent stem cells, RNA/DNA purification, bioreactors, data analysis and interpretation. 

We expect you to be fluent and willing to communicate in English, be able to manage multiple tasks in parallel (with supervision) and have a sound personal judgement to take decisions during your daily work. As a person, you are an outgoing team player with a strong personal drive and dedication. We expect you to have a well-structured and diligent approach at work, thrive in an innovative environment and bring a can-do attitude. Finally, you must have a strong work ethic and be willing to take responsibility for your own projects and progress.

About the department

You will be part of an international group of dedicated employees, comprised of scientists, laboratory technicians and student workers, focusing on the translation of stem cells into the clinics. Promising proof-of-principle studies show that stem cell therapies can address unmet medical needs in a wide range of indications (e.g. implantation of stem cell-derived pancreatic beta-cells or dopaminergic neurons to address diabetes or Parkinson’s disease, respectively). However, there are currently no robust and scalable procedures available for the manufacture of these cells for clinical applications. Our department with expertise in stem cell-derived pancreatic beta-cell biology, in vitro protocol optimization and upscaling in bioreactors, is working on closing this gap, and we truly believe that stem cell therapies will make a difference in the lives of patients. 

Together we drive change

At Novo Nordisk, we don’t wait for change. We drive it. We’re a dynamic company in an even more dynamic industry, and we know that what got us to where we are today is not necessarily what will make us successful in the future. We embrace the spirit of experimentation, striving for excellence without fixating on perfection. We never shy away from opportunities to develop, we seize them. From research and development, through to manufacturing, marketing and sales – we’re all working to move the needle on patient care.

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