Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Virology Intern

🎯 Role Definition

The Virology Intern is a developmental role supporting the research and development activities of our virology team. This individual works under the direct supervision of senior scientists and research associates to perform a variety of laboratory procedures, contribute to experimental design, and assist in the analysis and documentation of results. The core purpose of this position is to provide robust support for ongoing research projects while fostering the intern's scientific growth, technical proficiency, and understanding of the drug discovery or vaccine development process.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Undergraduate Student (Junior/Senior Year) in a Life Science program
Recent Bachelor's Degree Graduate
Master's Degree Student

Advancement To:

Research Associate I / Research Technician
PhD Candidate / Graduate Research Assistant
Scientist I (following completion of advanced degree)

Lateral Moves:

Immunology Intern / Research Assistant
Molecular Biology Intern / Research Assistant
Cell Culture Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Maintain and propagate various mammalian cell lines using sterile aseptic techniques to support viral infection studies.
Assist in the propagation, quantification, and characterization of viral stocks, including BSL-2 level pathogens, following strict safety protocols.
Perform and meticulously document standard virological assays such as plaque assays, TCID50 assays, and focus-forming assays to determine viral titers.
Execute a range of molecular biology techniques including nucleic acid extraction (DNA/RNA) from cells, tissues, and viral samples.
Conduct quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) to measure viral replication kinetics and host cell gene expression levels.
Perform standard and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR/RT-PCR) for diagnostic screening and molecular cloning workflows.
Assist in the generation and characterization of stable or transient cell lines through plasmid transfection and/or viral transduction.
Perform protein analysis techniques, such as Western blotting and immunoprecipitation, to study viral and host protein expression and interactions.
Conduct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to detect and quantify viral antigens or host antibodies in biological samples.
Prepare and manage laboratory reagents, complex buffers, and cell culture media according to established standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Support the design and execution of experiments aimed at evaluating the efficacy of antiviral compounds or novel vaccine candidates.
Meticulously record all experimental procedures, raw data, calculations, and observations in an electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) in real-time.
Analyze experimental data using relevant software such as GraphPad Prism, Excel, or other specialized programs and report findings.
Prepare clear and concise summaries of experimental results for presentation at lab meetings, team huddles, and internal seminars.
Contribute to the maintenance of a safe, clean, and organized laboratory environment in compliance with all Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) guidelines.
Assist senior researchers in troubleshooting experimental protocols and optimizing assay conditions to improve reliability and throughput.
Operate and maintain essential laboratory equipment, including biosafety cabinets, incubators, centrifuges, plate readers, and microscopes.
Perform comprehensive literature searches to stay current with relevant scientific findings and to provide background for new project initiatives.
Support the management of laboratory inventory, including tracking consumables, ordering reagents, and receiving and logging new supplies.
Collaborate effectively and professionally with team members on shared projects to achieve research goals in a timely and efficient manner.
Assist with immunofluorescence assays (IFA) and subsequent microscopy to visualize viral infection dynamics and protein localization within cells.
Prepare high-quality samples for advanced downstream applications like next-generation sequencing (NGS) or proteomics analysis.

Secondary Functions

Participate actively in team meetings, journal clubs, and scientific discussions, contributing ideas and asking insightful questions.
Assist in the preparation of technical documents, study reports, and presentation materials for internal and external use.
Support general lab operations, including routine equipment calibration checks, documentation, and coordination of waste management.
Shadow senior scientists and cross-functional team members to gain a broader understanding of the overall research and development pipeline.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency in mammalian cell culture, including sub-culturing, cryopreservation, and maintaining cell lines with strict aseptic technique.
Hands-on experience with standard virological techniques (e.g., virus propagation, plaque assays, TCID50).
Practical experience with fundamental molecular biology methods such as PCR, RT-qPCR, gel electrophoresis, and nucleic acid purification.
Foundational knowledge of protein analysis techniques like Western Blotting or ELISA.
A solid theoretical understanding of viral life cycles, virology principles, and host-pathogen interactions.
Knowledge of and adherence to Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory practices and safety protocols.
Ability to use scientific software for data analysis and visualization (e.g., GraphPad Prism, Microsoft Excel).
Experience with maintaining a detailed and accurate laboratory notebook (physical or electronic).
Competency in preparing solutions, buffers, and media with a high degree of precision.
Familiarity with basic microscopy techniques, including bright-field and fluorescence microscopy.
Basic understanding of transfection and/or lentiviral transduction methods.

Soft Skills

Meticulous attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities for documenting and presenting scientific data.
A proactive, curious, and collaborative mindset with a strong willingness to learn from team members.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities to troubleshoot experiments.
Effective time management and the ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks concurrently in a fast-paced environment.
Adaptability and resilience when facing experimental setbacks or unexpected results.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Currently enrolled in an accredited Bachelor's degree program.

Preferred Education:

Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's (Junior or Senior year) or Master's program, or a recent graduate (within the last 12 months) from a relevant program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Virology
Molecular Biology
Cell Biology
Microbiology
Biochemistry
Immunology
Biotechnology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-1 years of relevant experience.

Preferred: Prior hands-on research experience in a university laboratory, a previous industry internship, or completion of laboratory-intensive coursework is highly desirable and will be given strong consideration.