INTERN Research - Ken Lab

Title:

Studying Promoter-Proximal Pausing in the Context of RNA Stem Loops

Promoter-proximal pausing (PPP) refers to the stalling of RNA polymerase II shortly after transcription initiation. It is a widespread phenomenon that governs transcriptional regulation in metazoan cells, and certain viruses, such as HIV-1, make use of this same mechanism for their own replication purposes. We are interested in studying the RNA structural determinants of PPP and applying it for assay development.

We are looking for a highly motivated undergraduate intern to help conduct molecular biology techniques and mammalian cell culture for this project.

Position Title:

Intern-Research

Hours:

Minimum 15 hours per week, ideally 19 hours per week. Interns should be able to come to the Scripps campus on at least four consecutive days per week.

Location:

Scripps Research, La Jolla, California.

• Assist with basic laboratory maintenance, including glassware washing, autoclaving, and preparing media and solutions.
• Support experimental procedures assigned by experienced staff and contribute to ongoing research projects.
• Participate in the study of promoter‑proximal pausing using molecular cloning, mammalian cell culture, transient transfection, luminescence assays, and data analysis in Microsoft Excel and Graph Pad Prism.

• Molecular biology techniques: molecular cloning, mammalian cell culture, transient transfection, luminescence assays, data analysis in Excel and Graph Pad Prism.
• Must be currently enrolled in high school, an associate's program, a bachelor's program, or a master's program.
• Prior laboratory experience is preferred but not required.
• Commit to minimum 15 hours per week, ideally 19 hours per week, with availability to work at least four consecutive days per week at the Scripps campus.

Hourly rate: $17.25 to $20.40 per hour, commensurate with experience.

The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.