Vertex Spring 2026 Co-op, Comparative Medicine

Role Summary

Vertex Spring 2026 Co-op, Comparative Medicine. The program is a 6-month experiential training for students pursuing an undergraduate or associate's degree in Biological sciences or related fields, offering meaningful work in comparative medicine and vivarium operations as a launchpad for a scientific career.

Responsibilities

• Lead studies validating operational, sanitization, enrichment, and sustainability protocols to standardize environments and support research reproducibility and animal welfare.
• Provide microenvironmental, behavioral, and operational data to support site practices; maintain vivarium readiness and contribute to scaling efforts with stakeholder communication.
• Contribute to:
  • Research model development
  • Culture of care
  • 3R‚Äôs initiatives
  • Genetically engineered mouse model (GEMMs) data collection and integration

Qualifications

• Enrolled in an undergraduate or associate's program in Biological sciences or a related field.
• 6‚Äì12 months of experience in laboratory animal research and/or teaching setting preferred; familiarity with basic rodent techniques, anatomy, and behavior preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.
• Certification/Licensure: AALAS certification (ALAT, LAT, LATG) or Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) useful but not essential; or pursuing DVM-equivalent degree will be considered.
• Strong collaborative work practices and communication skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States now and in the future (no sponsorship for internships in this part of the organization).
• Must be enrolled in an advanced degree program if graduating before June 2026.
• Must be available to work full-time, 40 hours per week from January‚ÄìJune 2026.

Program Details

• Full-time, paid co-op; $20.00 ‚Äì $32.00 USD/hour
• Program Dates: January ‚Äì June 2026