Co-op - Regenerative Medicine (July to December 2024)
The job details are as follows:
What We Do
We build on the strength of our research and development expertise and a distinctive, entrepreneurial culture that encourages diversity, innovation, creativity, sustainability, and, simply, fun. Since inception, our mission has been to find a cure for pulmonary arterial hypertension and other life-threatening diseases. Toward this goal we have successfully gained FDA approval for five medicines, we are always conducting new clinical trials, and we are working to create an unlimited supply of manufactured organs for transplantation.
We are the first publicly-traded biotech or pharmaceutical company to take the form of a public benefit corporation (PBC). Our public benefit purpose is to provide a brighter future for patients through (a) the development of novel pharmaceutical therapies; and (b) technologies that expand the availability of transplantable organs. At the same time, we seek to provide our shareholders with superior financial performance and our communities with earth-sensitive energy utilization.
Our company was founded by an entrepreneur whose daughter was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. She sought to find treatment options and a cure for her daughter and patients like her. We are founder-led, and relentless in our pursuit of “medicines for life”. We continue to research and develop treatments for cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, and other orphan diseases.
The selected Co-op will need to be onsite at the RTP, North Carolina office for the entire duration of this co-op role, from July/August through December 2024. United Therapeutics does not provide housing or transportation. A stipend for relocation assistance may be provided on a case-by-case basis.
How you’ll contribute
This Summer/Fall 2024 Co-op will conduct and assist in research & development efforts to develop novel cell- and tissue-based products for treating pulmonary hypertension and other lung diseases.
This role will complete a focused research project to address a question that is relevant to the development of a cell- or tissue-based product for the treatment of lung disease(s). Generate data that addresses an insightful question and produce summary conclusions and report(s) to document the outcomes of experimental testing. Present data to management, team leaders, and research staff during internal review meetings, and make a final presentation of project findings.
The project will be chosen based upon the background of the applicant as well as the needs of the research & development team. Examples of R&D projects include:
- Conduct focused studies to evaluate the flow of fluid and/or particles (e.g. blood, microspheres) in native lungs and engineered lung tissues.
- Use 3-dimensional systems (e.g. hydrogels) to study the co-culture and/or interaction of endothelial and stromal cells.
- Identify mechanical or textile methods and/or materials that aid in the flow of fluid through an externally ventilated lung
- Conduct a focused set of studies to identify, expand and/or characterize lung alveolar cells that contributes to the development of cell- or tissue-based therapies for lung disease.
- Conduct a bioprocess development project to improve the attachment, expansion, and/or harvest/yield of cells via 2D or 3D cell culture processes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Candidates are expected to be actively enrolled in an educational program toward the completion of a master’s, or PhD in biology, biomedical sciences, engineering or related field
- Available 40 hours/week to work onsite in RTP, NC
- The successful candidate will be motivated, curious, hard-working, able to think creatively and/or able to learn quickly.
- Highly self-motivated
- Highly curious tendencies
- Ability to independently follow experimental methods and protocols
- Excellent team skills; must work well with others
- Good lab citizen and a leader in the lab
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to initiate and manage day-to-day tasks effectively
- Ability to organize and present data
For this role you will need
Minimum Requirements
- Candidates are expected to be actively enrolled in an educational program toward the completion of a master’s, or PhD in biology, biomedical sciences, engineering or related field
- Students in their junior year or above will be considered
- Must be available to work 40 hours/week onsite in the RTP, NC facility
- Relevant coursework and laboratory experience
- Experience with standard office software
Preferred Requirements
- Specific experience or training required will vary depending on the project demands. Some projects may require:
- Experience with cell culture, such as 1-2 semesters of class/lab-work or work experience
- Experience with cell analytical assays (e.g. Western blot, DNA assays, protein/mRNA characterization), such as 1-2 semesters of class/lab-work or work experience
- Data analysis or programming experience
- Knowledge of cardiovascular biology or physiology, such as 1-2 semesters of class/lab-work and prior work/research in a cardiovascular or pulmonary field
- Experience required will vary depending upon the project/team needs, which may include:
- Microsoft Office (Excel, Powerpoint, Word)
- Data analysis programs (e.g. Graphpad Prism, MATLAB)
- Image analysis tools (e.g. ImageJ)
- Coding languages (e.g. Python, C++, R)
At United Therapeutics, you’ll realize quickly that it is not an ordinary place to work! When you join our company, you will learn, grow, contribute, have fun, and be challenged... all while making a difference in the lives of our patients.
While United Therapeutics does not require vaccination for Covid-19 at this time, we strongly encourage all employees and visitors to remain up to date on vaccinations and boosters to protect one another from illness. Employees working in customer-facing roles must adhere and comply with customers’ credentialing guidelines, which may require vaccination against Covid -19, the influenza virus, and other illnesses that could be harmful to healthcare staff and patients.
United Therapeutics Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer - EOE Minorities / Females / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities