Overview:
Genvax Technologies is a startup animal health company focused on developing self-amplifying mRNA nanoparticle vaccines. Genvax Technologies seeks a Summer 2027 Bioinformatics/AI Intern at our Ames, IA location. Your project will include assisting in the development and validation of vaccine technologies to improve animal health. You will work closely with a mentor to develop and execute an independent project. This is a unique opportunity to work in the early stages of a startup company. This is a paid internship that runs from May 24th to August 13th (dates flexible).
Essential Job Functions:
- Explore, evaluate, and apply emerging AI technologies to enhance vaccine candidate design, automate routine laboratory workflows, and support data interpretation
- Help design and develop internal and external facing web applications
- Build bioinformatic tools for sequence analysis and improved vaccine design
- Prototype and improve machine learning algorithms
- Deliver an independent project and present results to the Genvax team
- Follow SOPs and documentation standards in a regulated environment; maintain detailed project notes and version-controlled code.
- Contribute to continuous improvement across tools and processes for internal users
- Perform other duties as assigned in a dynamic startup setting
Requirements
- Pursuit of an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in Bioinformatics, Computer Science/Engineering, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or a closely related quantitative or life sciences discipline
- Preference will be given to students attending an Iowa college or university, or students that have graduated from an Iowa high school and attend a college or university outside of Iowa
- Bioinformatics, coding, or software development experience is preferred
- Experience with machine learning, artificial intelligence, or predictive analytics is a plus
- Strong attention to detail
- Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new skill sets quickly
- Experience managing independent projects
Benefits
- Paid Internship. $16-$17 per hour, with 30-40 hours per week.
- We are willing to work with your department if you need this internship to count for credit, depending on the requirements
Skills Required
- Pursuing an Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Molecular Biology, Genetics, or a closely related quantitative or life sciences discipline
- Preference for students attending an Iowa college or university, or Iowa high school graduates attending a college or university outside Iowa
- Bioinformatics, coding, or software development experience
- Experience with machine learning, artificial intelligence, or predictive analytics
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to learn and apply new skill sets quickly
- Experience managing independent projects
What We Do
Genvax Technologies is an Ames, Iowa-based animal vaccine biotechnology company developing next-generation mRNA and nanoparticle vaccines for livestock. Its platform is intended to produce faster, more effective, scalable, precise, and herd-specific vaccines for preventing and treating animal diseases. The company’s mission is to protect animal health while strengthening the global food supply, drawing on its founders’ prior experience building Harrisvaccines.
