The IVF Research Intern supports a defined component of an active research project within the R&D pipeline. The internship is designed to produce a meaningful project deliverable while providing practical experience in experimental design, laboratory execution, data analysis, documentation, and communication within a private-sector research environment.
Based in Sioux Center, Iowa, the intern will work with R&D scientists and laboratory staff on basic and/or applied research related to reproductive biology, cell biology, embryology, or vitro fertilization.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Research Project Execution
- Contribute to a defined component of an active IVF research project aligned with R&D pipeline priorities.
- Assist with planning and executing controlled laboratory experiments under approved protocols and appropriate supervision.
- Support troubleshooting and comparison of experimental treatments, protocols, reagents, or process conditions as appropriate for the assigned study.
- Participate in routine project meetings, communicate progress and risks, and incorporate feedback from scientists and laboratory personnel.
Laboratory Operations and Experimental Procedures
- Perform project-specific laboratory activities that may include media preparation, sample handling, aseptic technique, microscopy, cell or embryo observations, and biological assays.
- Follow established safety, quality, biosecurity, animal welfare, confidentiality, and data integrity requirements applicable to assigned work.
Data Collection, Analysis, and Documentation
- Collect, organize, quality-control, and maintain complete experimental data and laboratory records.
- Apply basic statistical and graphical methods to summarize results and identify patterns, variability, or potential technical issues.
- Document methods, materials, deviations, observations, analytical decisions, limitations, and results to ensure experiments can be reproduced and continued by the R&D team.
Scientific Research and Knowledge Development
- Review relevant scientific literature and summarize information needed to support project hypotheses, experimental methods, and interpretation of results.
Reporting and Communication
- Prepare and deliver a final technical report and presentation summarizing project objectives, methods, results, limitations, conclusions, and recommended next steps.
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree program in reproductive biology, animal science, cell biology, embryology, biotechnology, biology, or a closely related field; master's-level candidates are preferred.
Foundational understanding of cell biology, reproductive physiology, embryology, or laboratory-based biological research.
Prior hands-on laboratory experience through coursework, undergraduate research, employment, or graduate study.
Ability to follow detailed protocols, perform careful measurements, and work consistently with biological materials.
Experience with one or more relevant methods such as aseptic technique, microscopy, cell culture, gamete or embryo handling, molecular assays, biochemical assays, or image analysis is preferred.
Basic knowledge of experimental design and ability to organize, summarize, and interpret scientific data.
Experience using spreadsheet, statistical, or scientific software for data entry, visualization, or analysis is preferred.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, timely, and traceable laboratory documentation.
Ability to work independently on assigned tasks while seeking guidance when procedures, results, or priorities are unclear.
Effective written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate with scientists, laboratory technicians, and cross-functional partners.
Ability to work on-site in Sioux Center, Iowa, and meet the physical and scheduling requirements of a laboratory-based internship.
DELIVERABLES
A documented, reproducible genetic-evaluation workflow for the assigned trait or traits.
A completed and documented project workstream that addresses the agreed research question or technical objective.
Accurate experimental records, organized datasets, quality-control summaries, and supporting files suitable for internal review and future use.
A concise analysis of results, including interpretation, limitations, and recommended follow-up experiments or implementation steps.
A final technical report, presentation, and organized handoff of protocols, data, analyses, and supporting documentation.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands or arms, lift files and operate a computer.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust to focus.
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copy machines, filing cabinets and fax machines.
On-site internship in Sioux Center, Iowa, with regular collaboration across the IVF R&D and laboratory teams. Day-to-day supervision and technical coaching will be provided by an R&D scientist or designated project lead. The intern must comply with site safety, laboratory, confidentiality, data-integrity, and animal-care requirements applicable to assigned activities.
Applications will close on November 6th, 2026.
About Us
As a holding company with cooperative and private ownership, URUS is a family of businesses at the heart of the dairy and beef industry – Alta Genetics, GENEX, Genetics Australia, Leachman Cattle, Jetstream, PEAK, SCCL, Trans Ova Genetics and VAS. Each organization has its unique identity, products, and services. These companies work globally to provide cutting-edge dairy and beef genetics, customized reproductive services to maximize conceptions, dairy management information to take producers to the frontline of progressive dairy farming, and an array of products and services to help bovines reach their full genetic potential. URUS has 9 brands in 17 retail countries and employs nearly 2,800 people globally.
Skills Required
- Currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree program in reproductive biology, animal science, cell biology, embryology, biotechnology, biology, or a closely related field.
- Foundational understanding of cell biology, reproductive physiology, embryology, or laboratory-based biological research.
- Prior hands-on laboratory experience through coursework, undergraduate research, employment, or graduate study.
- Ability to follow detailed protocols, perform careful measurements, and work consistently with biological materials.
- Basic knowledge of experimental design and ability to organize, summarize, and interpret scientific data.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, timely, and traceable laboratory documentation.
- Ability to work independently on assigned tasks while seeking guidance when procedures, results, or priorities are unclear.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate with scientists, laboratory technicians, and cross-functional partners.
- Ability to work on-site in Sioux Center, Iowa, and meet the physical and scheduling requirements of a laboratory-based internship.
- Master's-level education or candidacy.
- Experience with aseptic technique, microscopy, cell culture, gamete or embryo handling, molecular assays, biochemical assays, or image analysis.
- Experience using spreadsheet, statistical, or scientific software for data entry, visualization, or analysis.
What We Do
We Create Value We do more than produce and market semen from high caliber sires. We aim to create value for farmers by striving to understand each farm’s individual needs and goals. Our innovative genetic programs and reproductive services make the difference at the farm level. Using customized programs, specific to each producer's needs, we promise to improve individual herd profitability. We Build Trust Trust is built on the foundation to provide top quality products and services that deliver on their promise. We commit to providing such programs and services every day. Our unique product development testing standards are the most rigorous and accurate in the world, and are the clearest statement of our commitment to gaining your trust. We Deliver Results Our people, who have a passion for the business, can be counted on to deliver beyond expectation. We consistently deliver high impact genetic results and strategies to maximize herd profitability. We provide services to improve each farm's reproductive performance and capitalize on genetic investments. We take our responsibility seriously – to deliver excellence through our products, programs and services that generate profit for the progressive farms we work with around the world.
