Winter Co-op/Safety Pharmacology

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.  

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology). 

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued, and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.

The Safety Pharmacology group in Non-Clinical Safety, Pre-Clinical Sciences is a multi-site resource focused on the proactive management of pre-clinical safety concerns in the cardiovascular, respiratory, and CNS areas and their translation to man. Safety Pharmacology supports all therapeutic areas from idea to loss of exclusivity including experimental approaches to aid target and compound selection, regulatory pre-FIH safety studies and post-FIH investigative studies to address clinical findings and manage risk.  The broad remit of the department requires strong discipline expertise and a clear and strong interface with the portfolio.

This position is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the lives of patients by applying human physiology and pharmacology expertise coupled with translational knowledge and industry experience to drive drug discovery and development.

Seeking a 6 month co-op student (with potential to extend an additional 6 months) interested in learning how to evaluate drug-induced effects on major organ functions including the cardiovascular (CV) and central nervous systems (CNS), through routine tasks including, & not limited to:

• Assist in conduct of in vitro Safety Pharmacology (SP) CNS & CV studies including culturing of transformed cell lines and human inducible pluripotent stem cells, recording of membrane excitability using multi-electrode array platforms, cellular electrophysiology and ion channel pharmacology.
• Conduct reagent and buffer preparation, formulation of drug solutions, contribute to study related documentations from notebook setup to data analysis and processing. Assist senior scientists in conduct of experiments.
• Assist in setting up, operating & maintaining specialized equipment & apparatus (multi-electrode array, automation platform, pipettes, path-clamp electrophysiology systems, microscopes) for evaluating in vitro CV and CNS function.
• Cross-train with scientists within the group in SP & assist with CV & CNS ion channel pharmacology, in vitro & ex vivo cardiac physiology, cardiac myocyte excitation-contraction coupling & stem cell physiology, & in vitro seizure liability detection.
• Additional opportunity to work with in vivo SP to assist in animal handling, dosing and data processing from in vivo studies.

• Pursuing a Bachelors, Masters, or PhD in Biology, Chemistry, or related disciplines.
• Must be able to work full-time (35-40 hours/week) throughout the 6-month co-op (January ~ June 2026).
• Must have an active student status and/or within 12 months post-graduation from a BS or MS degree program. Post-doctoral candidates are not eligible. 

• Basic understanding of biology, anatomy and physiology.
• Successful completion of at least one year of college level courses.
• Majors in the biology, pharmacology, physiology or toxicology are preferred.
• Hands on experience of cell culture, basic microscopy, patch-clamp electrophysiology, animal handling, is preferred.

• Must successfully pass a drug screen and background check prior to assignment target start date.  
• Please note: If you do not receive an automated email after submitting your application, be sure to check your spam folder.

• While GSK embraces a flexible work environment, we do require certain positions to be onsite. Candidates who are hired for an on-site role or hybrid role, and reside outside of 50-miles from their assigned work location, are eligible for relocation stipend. This is a one-time payment to help offset housing & relocation expenses. Please refer to the position details for the requirements of each position. 
• GSK Interns and Co-ops are offered a competitive hourly pay rate and benefits. Please note, benefits eligibility determined the month following date of hire.
• This job posting is for a temporary role as an employee of Atrium on assignment at GSK. The individual selected for this role will be offered the role as an employee of Atrium; compensation, medical benefits, fringe benefits and other terms and conditions of employment shall be presented by Atrium upon offer. The pay rate range provided is a reasonable estimate of the anticipated compensation range for this job at the time of posting. The actual pay rate will be based on several factors, including educational degree obtained.

  In addition, this role will be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirement.

  • Pay Rate Range: $21/hr to $40/hr

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