Biologics Formulation Research Internship Spring 2027

Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.Vardas W-Series vehicles are built designed and operated by Varda in-house including the pharmaceutical processing payloads the capsules the C-PICA heat shields and the satellite buses.

From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.

Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX Blue Origin major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures Lux Capital Founders Fund Caffeinated Capital General Catalyst and Also Capital.

Varda is headquartered in El Segundo California where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles equipment and materials are built integrated and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington DC and Huntsville AL.

Join Varda and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.

Spring internships will range between the months of January and dates dependent upon the university schedule of the selected students. Internships are full-time and on-site in El Segundo CA. To be considered for this internship candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program.

TheBiologics Formulation Research Internshipfocuses on the analytical characterization and formulation of biologic drug candidates to support the development of stable pharmaceutical products for manufacturing in microgravity. Interns will apply a variety of biophysical and analytical techniques to evaluate protein structure stability binding interactions and performance through formulation and freeze-drying processes. The role combines hands-on laboratory experimentation scientific data analysis and close collaboration with formulation scientists to advance next-generation biologic therapeutics.

Internships at Varda are optimal for students looking to grow technically and professionally while working on impactful projects critical to the companys success. You will be working on a collaborative team in a startup environment while being able to learn from some of the most accomplished and experienced aerospace professionals in the world. Were dedicated to providing an experience that will let your decisions and contributions help drive Vardas success.

• Perform biophysical characterization of protein candidates using orthogonal analytical techniques to assess structure stability and interaction behavior

• Design and execute binding and selection studies between disordered protein stabilizers and microcrystalline pharmaceutical substrates
• Evaluate stabilizer performance through lyophilization and reconstitution cycles assessing protein integrity before and after freeze-drying stress
• Conduct purity and charge variant analysis via SDS-PAGE and capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF)
• Prepare reagents buffers and sample sets in advance to ensure experiments run on schedule
• Maintain accurate well-documented records in laboratory notebooks and electronic systems
• Collaborate with formulation scientists to anticipate laboratory needs and contribute to team meetings and progress updates

Interns will gain hands-on experience with industry-standard biophysical and analytical tools including:

• Nano differential scanning fluorimetry (nanoDSF)
• Analytical size exclusion chromatography (SEC)
• Dynamic light scattering (DLS)
• Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy
• UV spectroscopy
• Fluorescence spectroscopy
• SDS-PAGE and capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF)
• Selection and binding studies
• General familiarity with lyophilization and tangential flow filtration (TFF) as they relate to sample preparation and handling

• How to characterize protein and peptide structure stability and molecular interactions using multiple orthogonal biophysical techniques
• How to design and interpret binding and interaction studies between disordered proteins/peptides and crystalline substrates
• How biophysical characterization connects to formulation strategy and long-term storage stability for biologic drugs
• Best practices in analytical method execution data interpretation and scientific documentation in a biotech R&D environment

• Currently enrolled in an accredited bachelors or graduate degree program in Biochemistry Biophysics Pharmaceutical Sciences Chemical Engineering Molecular Biology or a related field
• Prior hands-on laboratory experience in an academic or industry setting is required
• Knowledge of basic analytical techniques for protein characterization
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow experimental protocols precisely
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Effective written and verbal communication skills

• Hourly Rate: $33.00
• Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area
• Commuter benefit to support local transportation

• Junior Senior or Graduate academic standing
• Familiarity with one or more of the listed biophysical characterization techniques (DLS nanoDSF SEC CD or capillary electrophoresis)
• Background in protein formulation biologics drug product development or protein biochemistry
• Familiarity with lyophilization freeze-drying or related solid-state processing methods
• Experience with data analysis tools such as GraphPad Prism Python MATLAB or similar
• Previous experience in a GLP-compliant or structured R&D laboratory environment
• Interest in space medicine in-orbit manufacturing or the emerging orbital economy

Varda like all employers must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items our policy is to only hire U.S. persons who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.

US person means: U.S. citizen U.S. lawful permanent resident or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e. individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum).