Formulation Science Internship - Summer 2027

Location: El Segundo, California, United States Department: Internship

About Varda

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. Varda’s 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.

Summer internships will range between the months of May and August. All 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.

The Biologics Formulation Research Internship focuses 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 company's 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. We're dedicated to providing an experience that will let your decisions and contributions help drive Varda's success.

Responsibilities

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

Key Techniques & Methods

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

What You'll Learn

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

Basic Qualifications

Currently enrolled in an accredited bachelor's 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

Preferred Skills & Experience

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

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