LHSI Intern: Structural biology of molecular machines by cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM)

Program Summary:  

This internship is offered as a part of the Life-Health Sciences Internship Program (LHSI). This program connects 125 IUI undergraduates per year with internships on campus with faculty and staff in a variety of health and science related campus areas/programs. All LHSI internships start in August 2025 and end in May 2026 and are paid $13/hour for up to 10 hours per week. Work-study is accepted but not required.

Supervisor: Dr. Yuichiro Takagi

Department/Office: Medicine; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Overview of the internship site: Structural biology of molecular machines by cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) Our laboratory utilizes synthetic biology, and cryo-electron microscopy (EM) to elucidate structure and function of the large multi-protein complexes, “molecular machines” involved in regulations of eukaryotic transcription, epigenetic and translation.

Website for more information: https://twitter.com/LabTakagi 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The typical duties of a student may include (but not limited to), (i) (protein expression and purification, (ii) cry-sample making, (iii) cryo-EM data collection and (iv) EM data processing. Students who are interested in learning single-particle cryo-EM are encouraged to apply.

Work Environment and Dress Code: The work is performed primarily in a lab setting; with dress code: clothing that is proper to work in a lab.

Hours per week: 10; flexible within regular work hours

Project-specific qualifications: Basic coursework in biology, biochemistry, and chemistry is preferable; experience in basic techniques in molecular biology and computer skills, particularly for Linux are helpful but not required. A student with good analytical and engineering sense and skills is preferred.

By the end of the LHSI program, you will:

·        Carefully consider, explore, and articulate your career goals, including an analysis of how you arrived at that path and what steps you need to take next. (Community Contributor, Communicator)

·        Understand your role and strengths on a professional team and analyze who you would like to become as a professional. (Communicator)

·        Gain and strengthen skills relevant to next steps after graduation, such as communication, collaboration, teamwork, analysis/synthesis/evaluation, independence, confronting/challenging failure, problem-solving and perseverance, and constructive criticism. (Problem Solver, Communicator)

·        Convey ideas and knowledge effectively through an ePortfolio and presentation of your internship work. (Problem Solver, Communicator)

·        Set and meet your own additional learning goals identified with your supervisor.

LHSI Qualifications  

·        must be graduating May 2027 or after (usually a current freshman or sophomore in Spring 2025) 

·        Current full-time IUI undergraduate

·        minimum overall GPA of 2.0 

·        All majors welcome

To apply:

LHSI accepts at least 125 interns per year. Complete the application for LHSI at lhsi.indianapolis.iu.edu and select 3-4 internship sites on that application. All available sites are listed in Handshake and will start with the position title “LHSI Intern.” You will meet with at least 2 of these if selected for interviews.