Biologics Formulation Intern

Kalamazoo - Downtown Portage Street

Role Description:

We are seeking a talented Biologics Formulations Summer Intern to join our team and contribute to the development of a robust moisture-prediction model for lyophilized drug products. In this role, you will support formulation development and data-driven research efforts aimed at improving the stability, quality, and performance of lyophilized pharmaceuticals.

Biologics Formulation Intern: Advancing Moisture Analytics: Development of a NIR Spectroscopy Method and Chemometric Model for Lyophilized Biopharmaceutical Products

Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Internship Summary:

This 10–12-week internship will focus on developing a rapid, non-destructive Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy method to measure moisture content in lyophilized drug products as a Process Analytical Technology (PAT) tool. The intern will prepare samples across a range of moisture levels, collect paired Karl Fischer (KF) and NIR data, and develop and evaluate a chemometric model, such as partial least squares (PLS) regression. The project aims to enable faster, more efficient moisture analysis and support the future implementation of 100% vial testing and improved lyophilization process development.

Internship Job Duties:

• Familiarize and operate freeze-drying/lyophilization equipment and prepare formulations across a defined range of moisture-content targets.
• Perform Karl Fischer (KF) titration and acquire Near-Infrared (NIR) spectra using established sample-handling and laboratory procedures.
• Develop, optimize, and evaluate chemometric models—such as PLS regression—to correlate NIR spectra with KF moisture measurements.
• Process and analyze experimental data, assess model performance, and support method optimization to minimize false-positive and false-negative results.
• Conduct laboratory experiments under supervision, document findings, and contribute to technical reports and posters/presentations and analytical-method documentation supporting future PAT implementation.

Internship Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical/Biomedical Engineering, or a related field
• Experience working in a laboratory setting, operating laboratory equipment, recording data
• Interested in learning Lyophilization techniques, PAT, spectroscopy (NIR/IR), and/or analytical methods
• Comfortable working with data (e.g. Excel, JMP, or similar)
• Detail-oriented, structured, and able to document experimental work
• Effective communication skills

The following hourly pay rates reflect the anticipated base pay for this position:

If the selected candidate is a student pursuing an Associate-level degree: $16.00 per hour

If the selected candidate is a student pursuing an Undergraduate-level degree: $22.00 per hour

If the selected candidate is a student pursing a Graduate-level degree: $32.50 per hour

If the selected candidate is a student pursuing a Doctorate-level degree: $36.00 per hour

The following hourly pay rates reflect the anticipated base pay for this position if a selected candidate were to be located in California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois (Chicago area), Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington (Seattle area):

Student pursuing an Associate-level degree: $17.00 per hour

Student pursuing an Undergraduate-level degree: $24.20 per hour

Student pursing a Graduate-level degree: $36.40 per hour

Student pursuing a Doctorate-level degree: $40.30 per hour

Notice: Zoetis Recruiters will contact candidates via email from an address ending in @zoetis.com and may also initially connect with candidates through LinkedIn, including LinkedIn InMail. Zoetis does not use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or other web-based/generic email domains to communicate about job opportunities, interviews, or offers of employment. If you receive a recruitment-related email message claiming to be from Zoetis that does not come from @zoetis.com, please treat it as suspicious. For your security, do not reply, click links, open attachments, share personal or financial information, or send money in response to unexpected or questionable recruitment communications.

Zoetis is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.