Job Description

The Movement Disorders group at Biogen aims to discover, develop, and deliver life-changing therapies that address unmet medical needs to improve the lives of patients with movement disorders and their caregivers around the world. With a clear translational focus, we foster a culture of collaboration, scientific rigor, free exchange of information and open discussion, and data-based decisions within our group through weekly lab meetings and regular 1-on-1 and project team meetings. Since the inception of our group in 2016, we have built an exciting human biology-based, multi-target, multi-modality Parkinson’s disease pipeline that is supported by robust drug discovery and basic biology programs. Additional programs continue to also focus our efforts on other disabling movement disorders that do not have effective therapies. Biogen’s mission is to be the leader in neuroscience, and our group of 14 highly motivated scientists aspire every day to bring together our diverse backgrounds and expertise to better understand neurobiological disease processes and apply that knowledge to accelerate the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

The hallmark Lewy pathology of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is largely driven by increased expression of alpha-synuclein that ultimately leads to the progressive deposition of insoluble forms of the protein. Significant evidence suggests that impairment of alpha-synuclein degradative pathways, including the autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP), contribute to this increased expression and proclivity to aggregate. One therapeutic hypothesis is that increasing ALP function can enhance the clearance of alpha-synuclein pathology in the brain and thereby provide neuroprotection in PD. Leveraging the groups’ expertise in autophagy and endo-lysosomal biology, the student will help to assess novel ALP-enhancing drug targets by characterizing the effects of pharmacological and/or genetic modulation of the ALP by using a battery of assays in a variety of cell-based models of PD and lysosomal storage disorders. The student will also contribute to the development and optimization of novel assays to assess ALP disease phenotypes. 

• Day to day responsibilities include: maintaining cells in culture, using biochemical and cell biology techniques to perform experiments, maintaining a laboratory notebook, analyzing data and communicating results to supervisor and larger group, and collaborating with other lab members.   
• Learning objectives include: Increased understanding of the biotech industry environment and how a drug is developed, autophagy and lysosomal biology and their role in Parkinson’s disease pathology, how to genetically and/or pharmacologically modulate signaling pathways in a variety of disease-relevant cell types, and how to perform several laboratory techniques, including culturing cell lines, western blot to assess protein, quantitative PCR to assess RNA, and high-content confocal microscopy to image cells.

Qualifications

To participate in the Biogen Co-op Program, students must meet the following eligibility criteria: 

• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. 
• Grade point average of 3.2 or higher preferred 
• At least 18 years of age prior to the scheduled start date 
• Be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university

ADDITIONAL HIGHLY-DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDE: 

• Knowledge of basic cell biology and standard techniques that can be used to assess RNA and protein (e.g. Western blot, qPCR) 
• Prior laboratory and cell culture experience, including exposure to basic molecular or cellular biological techniques and microscopy 
• Knowledge of how to maintain a laboratory notebook 
• The candidate should be highly motivated, hardworking, and have the ability to work well with others as well as independently

EDUCATION  Completion of at least 1 year of undergraduate studies in a life science related field. 

LOCATION  Cambridge, MA 

Relocation is _NOT _offered for this position. 

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.